Island of Halki (Greece): sea, rest, excursions, reviews

Tired of the city bustle, noise, I want to spend a holiday in a quiet paradise on the shore of the warm sea. Stretching out on a deck chair under the gentle rays of the sun, you can enjoy the surrounding serenity for hours. To leave a success, it is worth going to Greece. Her island of Halki will become that reliable harbor, which will kindly welcome its guests.

It combines the beauty of nature, ancient and modern architecture. What to see on the island, how to get to it, we'll tell in the article. Reviews of tourists who have visited these regions will help convey the atmosphere of a pleasant sea holiday.

What is this island

The island of Halki (Greece) is located in the Aegean Sea. It is part of the archipelago called Dodecanese. This picturesque island is 65 km from the port of Rhodes. The only settlement on this earth is Nimboro. Here an amphitheater descends to the sea several bright houses. There are several small taverns. Here ships come both from the surrounding islands of the archipelago, and from Rhodes.

Get to the island of labor is not. According to the Hulk movement will have to be exclusively on foot. There is no transport at all. This, of course, will please the fans of silence, hiking along the winding paths of the surroundings.

Halki (Dodecanese) has a coastline with a length of 40 km. On the island itself is the now abandoned village (the former capital) of Chorio. In the only active settlement there are about 200 people. Tourists are attracted to this amazing beach with its soft sand.

Historical reference

The island of Halki, according to the myths of ancient Greece, was the habitat of the Titans. The name of this land comes from the word "copper". It in Greek sounds like "Khalkos". There are copper mines. But some do not agree with this origin of the name of the island. There is a version that Halki got his name because of the catch of a special kind of purple mollusks. In Greek, "halke" means "violet".

However, since those distant times here many times the inhabitants have changed. Halki was always associated with Rhodes. Therefore, the period of its capture by the Turks led to the decline and these beautiful lands. All Greece then suffered from the oppression of the Ottoman Empire.

At the beginning of the last century, the island was transferred to the jurisdiction of Italy. It is with this period of time that a significant outflow of population from the Halki is connected. Today, sponges are mined here, fish are caught, and sheep and goats are bred. They produce cheese, copper, the tourist sphere is actively developing.

Where to stay?

The Greek islands of the Dodecanese archipelago are very hospitable. On Khalki locals erected bright houses. Some are located right next to the water. Local boys can dive into the sea right from the windows of their houses.

To rent a private house or a separate room, it will take about 50-90 euros per night. Previously there was practically no drinking water on the island. But today the desalination station is functioning here. If you need to wash yourself in the room or on the beach, you will need to use the rainwater.

Water on the island for local residents is valued in weight of gold. They are taking care of her here. But, going to any tavern, you can buy bottled water. Plumbing with industrial water is everywhere. This allows you to maintain cleanliness and sanitation.

Holidays in Halki

Greek islands attract many tourists every year. Local residents are very cordially greet visitors. Some of them even speak Russian. Here the guests will be offered a glass of local brewing, which you can eat with fresh vegetables.

Halki is interesting for its beaches. The most important of them - Pondamos is located next to the pier. Here is a small soft sand. Holidays with children in this place will be ideal. Not far from the monastery of St. John the Wise also has two nice pebbly beaches. They are called Yali and Kania.

If you want more active leisure activities, you can go fishing. Local people give fishing rods free of charge. If the guest managed to fish a large fish, the owners will also absolutely gratuitously fry it. But with the small things caught in the local waters, you have to fiddle yourself. Although a large fish does not simply go to the hands of visitors. But you can still experience happiness.

Kitchen

The island of Halki, reviewed by tourists who have rested here, is famous for its cuisine. The kitchen is considered one of the "baits" of both this island and Greece in general. Many tourists liked the fact that in the local taverns you can try a lot of island delicacies, but the figure does not go bad. Seafood, fruits and vegetables keep the waist thin.

Local cuisine is low-fat. Their basis is protein. Protein is consumed by local residents in the form of vegetables. You can afford to have a glass of aromatic local wine during dinner.

Special dishes of the Khalki are musakas (baked eggplants with minced meat and potatoes), dzadzyki (salted yoghurt with garlic). The abundance of fruits, seafood, vegetables and many other wonderful ingredients of local cuisine will please any holidaymaker.

Excursions

Any tourist can entertain tourists. The island of Halki is famous for its huge number of churches. There are more here than the local residents. It is worth visiting the temple of Agios Nicholas. Its high bell tower and traditional architecture will please the eye with its solemnity. The courtyard of the temple is covered with mosaic. She represents the tree of Life.

On foot you can walk to the ancient settlement of Chorio. There is a real church from the time of the Crusade. It seems to grow out of rock. If the weather is calm, you can see the island of Crete from it.

A lot of temples of different cultures and beliefs will be opened to the guests of the archipelago. It is also worth visiting the Byzantine Church of Panagia, Stavros. Monasteries are also located on the island. Hospitable monks can allow travelers to spend the night under their roof.

Reviews of holidaymakers

The island of Halki is visited by many tourists every year. A rather significant source of income of the local budget is the tourist sphere. The testimonies of our compatriots make it clear that here the rest is the most successful for those who seek solitude, peace and leisurely contemplation.

Those who want to plunge into the night get-togethers, you should go to the continent or choose for yourself another island, for example Rhodes.

Reviews about the holiday in Halki are almost always only positive. Hospitality of local residents, the proximity of the sea, the warmth of the sun will not leave indifferent any guest. Living conditions, food here at the highest level. Therefore, choosing a place for the next holiday, it is worth to go to the island of Halki. It fully lives up to expectations. The unique spirit of antiquity combined with the modern approach to organizing recreation will remain in the heart for many years.