A trio of mythical, richly varied islands in the heart of the Mediterranean!
Off the coast of Turkey, the Dodecanese archipelago offers a unique travel experience combining history, sublime landscapes and mysticism. Medieval cities, dreamy beaches and mysterious caves all combine to make for the perfect holiday!
N.B.: This trip to Greece is an individual tailor-made tour, to be personalized with our specialist Greece advisors.
L'itinéraire
Etape 1 -2 / 4
Etape 1 / 4
Étapes 1 & 4
Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese archipelago. From wide turquoise beaches to cultural sites, you'll find everything you need for the perfect holiday!
Etape 2 -3 / 4
Etape 2 / 4
Étape 2
Patmos is an island in the Dodecanese archipelago. It's one of the most impressive cities in the Aegean. Discover magnificent beaches and numerous monuments, each more impressive than the last.
Etape 3 / 4
Etape 3 / 4
Étape 3
Kalymnos is an island in the Aegean Sea, part of the Dodecanese archipelago. Discover the seabed, enjoy the beaches and learn more about the famous Kalymnos sponges.
Etape 4 / 4
Etape 4 / 4
Étapes 1 & 4
Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese archipelago. From wide turquoise beaches to cultural sites, you'll find everything you need for the perfect holiday!
Arrival in Rhodes and visit of the medieval old town
Rhodes castle
A private transfer awaits you at Rhodes airport to take you to your hotel in the heart of the city. Welcome to this city, which boasts one of the world’s most extraordinary heritages! In fact, the entire city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988! The city, already a major metropolis in ancient times, has come down to you as if it had remained frozen in the Middle Ages.
Follow in the footsteps of the Knights of St. John (the Hospitallers), who ruled the city between 1309 and 1523. Visit the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, and stroll along the Street of the Knights, restored to its original medieval appearance. Immerse yourself in a 15th-century town!
If you wish, choose the option “The medieval city of Rhodes”, a 3-hour private guided tour so you don’t miss a thing of this splendor!
Distance covered 16 km – 30 min. Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight stay in historic city center.
Day 2
Drive to Lindos, between culture and dream beaches
Lindos
A private transfer takes you to our partner rental agency to pick up your car. You then drive 1 hour to the superb town of Lindos, 48 km away.
From the hill, the ancient acropolis, surrounded by ramparts built by the Knights Hospitallers, dominates the town. Before taking the grand stone staircase up to the citadel, take note of this gigantic 2nd century BC bas-relief of a trireme. Like Alexander the Great before you, visit the Temple of Athena, dating from the 4th century BC. Don’t miss the propylaea, the great Doric stoá and other wonders along the way.
But don’t let the Acropolis overwhelm the village of Lindos either. Stroll through its picturesque streets and soak up its Mediterranean ambience. And finally, let yourself relax on the soft sands of Lindos beach.
Distance covered 48 km – 1h drive. Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own. Night in Rhodes.
Day 3
Beach day of your choice
Kiotari beach
Countless beaches of great natural beauty, a wide variety of activities and easy access: Rhodes is a paradise for beach and water sports enthusiasts. Choose the beach of your choice from Kiotari, Agathi, Apolakkia, Kolimpa or Anthony Quinn.
At the end of the afternoon, drop off your car at the rental agency and take a cab back to Rhodes city center.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own. Night in Rhodes.
Day 4
Departure for Patmos and afternoon discovery of Chora
Patmos
An early-morning private transfer takes you to the port. Then cruise for 4h30 to the port of Patmos, from where a semi-private transfer takes you to your hotel. Patmos is not just the place where Saint John, the Eagle of Patmos, wrote his Gospel. A city of feudal lords and opulent merchants, it is also one of the most impressive cities on the Aegean.
Cross the monumental arcades and arches. Stroll along narrow streets that haven’t changed a bit since the 16th century. Be impressed by the rich mansions of shipowners and merchants, built in Gothic or neoclassical style.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight in Patmos.
Day 5
A little spirituality with the Grotto of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John the Theologian
Monastery of Saint John the theologian
In 95 AD, John fled Domitian’s persecutions and took refuge on Patmos. There, he preached and baptized the inhabitants. He also came regularly to meditate in this cave, where theology tells us he experienced the Revelation that led to the writing of the Apocalypse, the last book of the Bible.
Take a seat in this mystical grotto, lit only by a few candles. Try to feel its spellbinding atmosphere. The site is still a world-famous pilgrimage site.
In the afternoon, visit the Monastery of St. John the Theologian. You can visit it on your own, or find an English-speaking guide for a 2h30 private tour.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight in Patmos.
Day 6
Discover the island's famous beaches
Agrio Livadi Beach
A day at the beach!
To the west of Chora, Agrio Livadi (or Agriolivado) is a festive, well-organized beach with water sports facilities, tavernas and bars. Kambos beach is quieter and more family-oriented. It also offers tavernas and water sports.
Not far away, Vagia is a quiet little bay with a tree-lined beach. Finally, Livadi Geranou beach is also very quiet. It lacks beach equipment, but makes up for it with its beauty and clear waters.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own. Night in Patmos.
Day 7
The must on the beach, Psili Ammos
Psili Ammos Beach
Lambi beach, in the northeast of the island, is famous for its colorful pebbles. It has a taverna and is naturally adorned with tamarisk trees, which provide shade for beachgoers. Livadi Kalogiron, a secluded beach on the opposite coast, is very peaceful.
To the south, the beach of Psili Ammos is a real jewel… that has to be earned. It can be reached either by boat from Skala (45 minutes) or by car, but the parking lot is a 30-minute walk from the beach. Well worth the effort! The site is absolutely magnificent and very quiet.
Please note: as the beach is vulnerable to the wind, the waves can be quite impressive.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own. Night on Patmos.
Day 8
Departure for Kalymnos for crafts and walks
Kalymnos sponges
You’ll enjoy a semi-private transfer from your hotel to the port, followed by a 2.5-hour cruise to reach Kalymnos by mid-afternoon. A final semi-private transfer takes you to your hotel.
Stroll through the town’s narrow streets in search of Kalymnos’ famous sponges. Sponge fishing is an age-old activity, driven in part by necessity. The infertility of the island’s rocky terrain has forced its inhabitants to look to the sea for a source of prosperity. Take a look at the fishermen’s boats in the harbor, which still bring in 30,000 sponges a day in their holds. See how the sponges are made, and choose the one you like from among the countless varieties on the market.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own. Night on Patmos.
Day 9
Deep-sea fun on Kalymnos
Agios Savvas
Kalymnos is one of the world’s leading scuba diving centers. The International Diving Festival is held here every year.
Whether you’re a beginner, an expert or a seasoned diver, this is an unmissable opportunity to discover the underwater world. And don’t forget that the island’s ancient Greek city still lies underwater between Myrtiès and Telendos. Who wouldn’t want to discover a sunken city?
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own. Night in Patmos.
Day 10
How about a visit to Esperidon Fjord
Kalymnos
A fjord in the heart of the Mediterranean? This is made possible by the rocky nature of the island of Kalymnos. The valley leading down to the sea is lined with mandarin and orange trees. At the end of the valley, you’ll arrive at a superb site that has captivated mankind since the Neolithic period.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own. Night in Patmos.
Day 11
Back to Rhodes
Rhodes
Enjoy Kalymnos for a few more hours before taking a semi-private transfer to the port. A 3-hour crossing to Rhodes, then a private transfer back to your hotel.
Back in Rhodes, stroll through the city streets, visit the cultural sites or conquer the city’s many stores, in search of souvenirs for you or your friends!
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own. Night in Rhodes.
Day 12
Departure from Greece
Rhodes
A private transfer takes you back to the airport. Say goodbye and see you soon in the mystical shadow of the Colossus of Rhodes, destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC!
The accommodations offered in our programs are selected according to criteria of comfort, service and location. As Greece sur mesure is a travel agency specializing in tailor-made tours, we strive to meet your expectations as closely as possible by offering you 100% customized programs. That’s why all the accommodations mentioned in our programs are only suggestions, and it’s entirely possible to modify them according to your wishes, your budget and seasonal availability.
Please do not hesitate to contact our team to find out more about the accommodations we have selected for you.
List of selected hotels for this trip to Greece
– Rhodes Historical Center: Michel Hotel 3* / Avalon Boutique Hotel Rhodes 4*
From 1500€, this price is based on 2 participants for the selected accommodations.
The final price of your trip to Greece may vary according to the number of participants, your preferences in terms of dates and availability during the associated period.
Inclus dans ce circuit
11 nights' breakfast in a 3* hotel
9 private or semi-private transfers
3-day car rental in Rhodes including insurance
3 sea crossings with assigned seats
Non inclus dans ce circuit
Private English-speaking guide in Rhodes The medieval city of Rhodes, private - 3h : 360 euros
Private English-speaking guide on Patmos: private 333 euros
Rhodes:
– Don’t miss the incredible medieval city of Rhodes, with its seven great gateways. Steeped in history, the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
– On the east coast, discover the charming traditional village of Lindos. Accessible only on foot or by donkey, it’s an enchanting place. Situated on a steep rocky outcrop, it was here that Les Canons de Navarone was filmed.
– Soak up the sun on Rhodes’ splendid beaches, located all along the island’s coastline. You can get there by bus, which serves most of the beaches. Looking for a good deal? For us, the best beaches are on the east coast, well sheltered from the wind.
– Head for Kamiros, in the north of the island, to discover a splendid ancient site surrounded by a magnificent natural setting. Here you’ll have the opportunity to admire a temple dating back to the 3rd century BC.
– Visit the island’s Turkish baths. Although they date back to the 16th century, they have now been completely renovated.
– The island’s many museums are well worth a visit. And if you do just one, then visit the splendid Archaeological Museum, housed in a Gothic-era building and home to the superb sculpture of Aphrodite. You won’t be disappointed.
– It’s always great to rent a scooter for the day and take a stroll around the island. But if you prefer cycling… you’re free to opt for that option too!
– Visit the sumptuous village of Archangelos. A veritable gathering of artists, you’ll find numerous small stores and workshops specializing in ceramics.
Patmos:
– Visit the medieval monastery of Saint John, overlooking Skala and the south of the island. This imposing monument contains treasures of Byzantine art.
– Explore this mountainous island on foot, its coastline a succession of small coves. Its size and the good condition of its roads lend themselves particularly well to exploration by scooter.
– Stroll through Skala, the island’s main town and port. Narrow streets, grand mansions and sheer views of the Aegean Sea.
– Visit the cave where Saint John is said to have written the Book of Revelation.
– Go to Psili Ammos, the island’s most beautiful beach, only accessible by boat or on foot after a beautiful hike along a coastal path from Diakkoti at the southern tip.
