It is the southernmost island of the Dodecanese. It is located between Crete and Karpathos and is inhabited by almost 1,000 people. An island that is certainly not famous for the number of tourists who visit it every year but the sure thing is how to trust it for your summer holidays, they will be unforgettable. Kasos is the island that will introduce you from the beginning to what relaxed and quality holidays mean.
Getting to know Kassos
The first thing you need to know – since you will definitely visit it – is that the capital of Kasos is Fri. It is also the port of the island, in its northern part. It is a very small village whose name is said to come from “eyebrow” because of its shape. What makes it stand out is its traditional, island architecture with well-preserved two-story mansions. This is the place most guests choose to find the accommodation they want. It is also more developed touristically than the rest, has hotels and rooms to let in as well as cute taverns.
Surely the look and some of your time will be drawn to Fri, Bouka. It is a small, beautiful harbor, where the fishing boats of the island run aground, thus creating the most picturesque location of Kasos. Next to it, the impressive church of Agios Spyridon Trimythous the Wonderworker, patron saint of the island, steals the show. With this image alone, which is the first one to see by setting foot on the island, the visitor is created a complete view of what he is going to experience during his stay there.
Kasos and its beaches
Kasos is a dry island admittedly. But its beaches are very special. You will see them either adorned with rocks but also with sand or pebbles. They must be large or small bays, they must be completely deserted or organized – but not so much that they become “touristized”. In any case, however, the options to locate the beach that suits you are many.
For organized situations and nearby taverns, go to Emporios. The rest of the beaches are quieter. To the west, in the area of Antiperatos, is the beach of Ammoua, which is also relatively organized, as well as other smaller, deserted bays. Much further away, at the southern end of the island, lies Helatrou, a stunning beach that thanks to the hills that surround it is almost always sheltered.
The beach, however, that really remains unforgettable to anyone who gets to know it up close, is… opposite. It is on the small island of Armathia, but you can only reach it by sea, with a boat that can take you there. Marmara Beach, which combines the colors of the Caribbean with the sandy beaches of the Cyclades, will leave you with your mouth open.
For gastronomy lovers
Special and original, the local cuisine of Kasos will not leave you unmoved. With influences from both neighboring Crete and Egypt, but also because of its maritime tradition, you will eat fish in abundance, and you will love non-seafood recipes.
You will be asked to eat Makarounes, a pasta that looks like penne and is usually served with fried onion or garlic, Bustia, and Bobaria, which are lamb offal stuffed with minced meat, livers, and rice and Pilaf Kassiotiko. For dessert, there is nothing better than Moschopougia.
In general, Kasos is the distant island that will make you completely escape from everyday life. It is where summer has a different meaning…
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Frequently Asked Questions
Kasos is the southernmost island of the Dodecanese, located between Crete and Karpathos in Greece. It is inhabited by almost 1,000 people, making it a quiet and peaceful destination for those seeking authentic island experiences away from crowded tourist areas.
The capital of Kasos is Fri, which is also the island's main port located in the northern part. Fri is a small village with traditional island architecture featuring well-preserved two-story mansions, and it offers the most tourist facilities including hotels, rooms to let, and taverns.
Kasos offers several excellent beaches including Emporios (organized with nearby taverns), Ammoua (relatively organized in the western area), and Helatrou (a stunning beach at the southern end, sheltered by surrounding hills). The most unforgettable beach is Marmara Beach on the small island of Armathia, accessible only by boat, featuring Caribbean-like colors combined with sandy Cycladic beaches.
Kasos offers unique local cuisine influenced by Crete and Egypt. Must-try dishes include Makarounes (pasta served with fried onion or garlic), Bustia and Bobaria (lamb offal stuffed with minced meat, livers, and rice), Pilaf Kassiotiko, and fresh fish due to the island's maritime tradition. For dessert, try Moschopougia.
You can reach Kasos by ferry from Piraeus, with journey times ranging from 14 to 19 hours depending on the ferry service. Alternatively, you can fly with a connection to the island, though ferry travel is the most common option for reaching this remote Dodecanese destination.
