Kasos, Greece: Island Guide, Beaches, Villages & Hotels
Kasos is the most southerly island of the Dodecanese, a rugged 49 km2 island of about 1,100 people, 7 kilometres southwest of Karpathos in the sea between Karpathos and Crete. The island rises steeply and grey from the sea and keeps its tourism quiet, since it has few ferry connections. Life gathers around the capital and main port of Fry, with a handful of small villages in the backland, the remote Helatros beach in the south, and the islet of Armathia off the north coast.
- Group
- Dodecanese
- Area
- 49 km²
- Population
- about 1,100
- Highest point
- Prionas, 550 m
The island of Kasos
Kasos measures 49 square kilometres, holds about 1,100 inhabitants, and rises to Mount Prionas at 550 metres. It is the most southerly island of the Dodecanese, 7 kilometres southwest of Karpathos, in the sea between Karpathos and Crete. Grey rock emerges straight from the sea, so the island looks wild and steep, and its low ferry traffic keeps tourism quiet. Kasos was inhabited in Minoan and Mycenaean times, and legend has its ships join the war against Troy. In the 18th century it was a rich island with a large merchant fleet. During the Greek War of Independence in 1821 Kasos was among the first islands to declare independence, and the Ottomans and Egyptians then burned the island and killed most of its people, about 12,000 at the time.
Fry and the villages
Kasos keeps its life around the capital Fry and a handful of small villages in its backland. The island has three harbours: the old ferry harbour at Emborio 1 kilometre from Fry, a new ferry harbour just north of the capital, and the small fishing harbour of Bouka at Fry itself. The old capital is Poli, and the villages of Panagia, Arvanitochori, Agia Marina and Emborio lie close by.
Fry (Fri)
Fry, also written Fri, is the capital and main port of Kasos, on the north coast. The church of Agios Spyridon stands in the port, and a small archaeological museum in the village displays local finds. The small fishing harbour of Bouka holds the traditional wooden boats and the yachts, while the ferries use the harbour at Emborio and the new harbour just north of the town.
Poli
Poli sits on the site of the ancient city of Kasos, about 2 kilometres from Fry. The ancient city held an acropolis, and a Byzantine church now stands on the site. Along with Panagia, Poli keeps some 19th-century mansions, though many of its buildings are in poor repair.
Panagia
Panagia is a village near Fry with six churches and a number of 19th-century mansions. It lies in the backland of the capital, among the small settlements where most of the Kasiots live.
Arvanitochori
Arvanitochori is a picturesque village 3 kilometres from Fry, considered the most beautiful on the island. It keeps many large old houses and several churches, and one of its churches is partly built into a rock.
The beaches of Kasos
Kasos has few beaches that can be reached on foot. There is one near Agia Marina west of the capital and an organised beach with taverns at Emborio. The most remote is Helatros in the south, about 13 kilometres from Fry, a sandy beach with pebbles and no facilities. In high season caiques run to the uninhabited islet of Armathia, north of Kasos, whose Marmara beach is counted among the prettiest in Greece. The full list is in the guide to the beaches of Kasos.
Sights of Kasos
The sights of Kasos gather around the capital and a monastery in the south. Fry keeps the church of Agios Spyridon and a small archaeological museum, Poli stands on an ancient acropolis with a Byzantine church, and Arvanitochori has a church built into a rock. The Monastery of Agios Georgios lies at Hadies, about 12 kilometres from Fry on the way to Helatros, and the Ellinokamara cave, 30 metres wide and 6 metres high, is nearby. These are set out in the Kasos sights guide.
Where to stay
Accommodation on Kasos concentrates in the capital Fry, with self-catering studios and apartments and one family-run hotel. Fry puts you within walking distance of the port, the shops and the tavernas, and the village of Panagia keeps a set of studios with sea views a short walk from the beach at Emborio. Compare the options in the Kasos hotels & villas guide.
Where to eat
Kasos serves its food around the capital Fry and its harbours. The waterfront of Fry lines up tavernas, cafes and shops with fresh fish, the small harbour of Bouka sits among the fishing boats, and the organised beach at Emborio keeps a couple of taverns. Where to eat by area is set out in the Kasos restaurants guide.
Getting to Kasos
Kasos is reached by ferry and by air. Ferries run from Piraeus about three times a week, a crossing of around 19 hours, and from Agios Nikolaos and Sitia on Crete, from Karpathos and from Rhodes. The island has a domestic airport, and Olympic Air flies from Athens in about 2 hours with a stop at Karpathos; you can also fly to Karpathos and take the 15-minute hop to Kasos. Ferry and flight schedules change, so check them before you travel.
