Kassos or Kasos is a 49 km2 large island in the group of the Dodecanese islands. It is situated 7 kilometers southwest of the better known island of Karpathos, in between Karapthos and Crete and it is the most southern island in the group of Dodecanese islands. The first impression you will get from the island is that it looks rather wild and inhospitable, since it is quite gray and emerges steeply from the sea.
Kassos has around 1100 inhabitants and because the island has not that many ferry connections the tourism level is low. Sometimes the ferries from Crete that are on their way to Karpathos and Rhodes also make a stop at Kasos island. From Piraeus there is a ferry connection with Kassos three times a week and the trip takes about 19 hours. There are also connections with the towns of Agios Nikolaos and Sitia the island of Crete (3 times a week, respectively 5 and 2.5 hours), with the island of Rhodes (3 times a week, 7 hours) and the nearby island of Karpathos (four times per week). Always check the schedules of the ferries because they change from time to time.
The island Kassos was already inhabited in the Minoan and Mycenaean time and according to the legends, their ships also helped in the war against Troy. In the Middle Ages it followed the history of Karpathos and many other Greek islands and came in Venetian and Turkish hands. In the 18th century Kassos was a rich island with a large merchant fleet. During the Greek War of Independence in 1821 Kassos was the first island that declared independance and the Turks and the Egyptians took revenge on the island. They burned the entire island and murdered almost the complete population of Kassos. At that time about 12.000 people lived on the island, so a multitude of the number of people living there now.
The island of Kassos has three harbours. There is the old ferry harbour at Emborio at 1 km distance from the capital of the island (Fri or Fry) and an new ferry harbour a little north of the capital. The capital is called Fri and here you find the third (small) harbour for the traditional wooden fishing boats and the yachts.
Most of the mountainous island Kassos is barren and dry and the population is concentrated around the capital Fri and a couple of small villages that lie closeby in its backland. The old capital of the island is called Poli. This village and the village of Panagia behold some old 19th century mansions, but much of the buildings here are in a bad state or in ruins. In Panagia you can find six churches. The highest point on the island is Mt. Prionas which reaches 550 meters. In the port of Fry stands the church of St. Spyridon. In the village you will find a small archaeological museum where some local finds are exhibited.
The village of Poli is placed on the site of an ancient city (which included an acropolis). On it's location you can now find a Byzantine church. The distance to Fry is about 2 kilometers. Also interesting is one of the churches in Arvanitohori which is partly built into a rock. This picturesque village of Avanitohori is located 3 kilometers from the main town Fry and there are many beautiful, big old houses and several churches. It is considered the most beautiful village of the island. The Monastery of Agios Georgios is at a distance of about two and a half hour walk from the capital (12 kilometer) in a place called Hadies, on the route to the Helatros beach. The monastery has a beautiful white and light blue church with a dome and a clock tower. Nearby lies the Ellinokamara cave, which is 30 meters wide and 6 meters high.
Kasos doesn't have a lot of good beaches that can be reached on foot. There is one on the west side of the capital near Agia Marina and there is an organized beach in Emborio, where you can also find a couple of taverns. During high season there are occasional ca�ques (wooden boats) going to the small islet of Armathia, which is situated north of Kasos. On Armathia there is a good sandy beach which is called Marmara beach. This beach is surrounded by blue-green waters and it is considered one of the prettiest beaches of Greece.
In total the island has three beaches: Marmara, Karavostasi and the small Apopantoula beach.
The island of Armathia is uninhabited and it is primarily and destination for day trips from the surrounding islands such as Karpathos and Kasos. It is the largest of the islands that surround Kasos. In 1951 there were 8 people living on the island and at one time there were even 100 residents who lived of the mining of a mineral of which plaster was made. There were also shepherds and fishermen, and sponge fishermen from islands like Kalymnos, Halki and Symi made a stop here. There were 7 kafenions on Armathia island. Now there are only the ruins of houses and stables. The only building that still stands proudly is the Ypapanti church. Not so long ago an observatory was built here where visitors can view animals in the wild.
There are a couple more beaches in the west and the south of the island of Kasos. The most remote beach is called Chelatros or Helatros beach. It is situated in the south about thirteen kilometers from the capital. You can reach the beach via the asphalt road that leads to the south. Chelatros is a sandy beach with small rocks and large pebbles. The beach has no facilities and is isolated, so you have to bring water, sunblock and something to eat with you if you want to visit this beach. There is a natural harbour here which was already used in Minoan times. Helatros beach is a favorite with windsurfers. The three pebble beaches of Fokiokamara can also be reached on foot, just as the beautiful pebble beach of Antiperatos. Roads on Kasos are scarce, so a large part of the island is extremely quiet. Tourists can walk over the hills of the island.
Galanou View offers self-catered accommodation with panoramic views of Kasos and the Aegean Sea. It is located in Fry, port town and capital of Kasos, only 400 metres from the port and 500 metres from Kofteri Beach. The studios of Galanou are spacious and air conditioned, each including a kitchenette, seating area, bathroom and furnished balcony. A fridge, kettle, kitchenware and table are included. Galanou View offers a spacious stone-paved yard with furniture, where guests can relax and enjoy unobstructed sea and area views. Kasos Airport is 800 metres from the property. The island's traditional taverns, cafes and shops can be found a mere 250 metres from the hotel. The beach and village of Emporios are also at 800 metres. Free pick-up and drop-off service is provided from the port or airport, upon prior arrangement with the hotel. Parking on site is also free of charge.
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From Kassos there are regular ferries (as well normal as socalled "superfast ferries") to the town of Piraeus on the mainland and to other islands in the surroundings, such as Crete, Karpathos and several islands in the Dodecanese group.
You can check the times and prices and if you like you can book a ticket ahead on the site of Ferries in Greece. Especially if you want to be on a superfast ferry during the high season this could be a good plan.
Kasos has an airport for for domestic flights and can also be reached by plane from Athens with Olympic Air (national flights only because there is no international airport). The journey takes about 2 hours and includes a stop at the island of Karpathos. The earlier you book the cheaper it is. Sometimes you have to be fast because tickets seem to be sold out quickly. If you book early it is a little bit more expensive than going by ferry, but you save yourself a lot of time (the bus ride to Piraeus of almost one and a half hour and the time on the ferry).
Alternatively you can fly to Karpathos, which has an international airport and from there take a domestic flight to Kasos. This trip takes about 15 minutes.