Last updated on October 23, 2023 by Stefano Ferro, founder of MEL365, following extensive travelling in Dodecanese Islands Greece

Best Halki accommodations and top areas to stay

Halki is one of the most boutique Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, easily reachable from Rhodos

You will fall in love as soon as you enter the harbour, with the beautiful view of the colourful Dodecanese houses and the characteristic shining red roof tiles

It is actually a pity that many travellers come to Halki only for a day trip because it is at night that you will discover the magic of this island

This is when this beautiful island transforms itself into a local small community that you can experience only if you stay for one or more nights (I suggest at least 3).

Another reason to stay overnight is also that the Halki accommodations are actually amazing value for money, a world apart from other nearby destinations like Rhodes or Kos.

That is why I have organised this guide, with the best Halki accommodations, with a full description of their locations.

But let’s dive into it

Stunning water in the harbour area
Stunning water in the harbour area

Best places to stay in Halki – In a nutshell

I have listed in the table below the 3 major areas where you can book your Halki accommodation. 

For each destination, I have listed my favourite hotel/Airbnb as well as a ranking on the main elements of the areas to quickly understand how the island is organised (1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest value)

Area
Town
Best forAvg. CostSuggested
Hotel
Km from
ferry
BeachCharacterNightlife
Harbour AreaCharacter,
practical,
restaurants
$$-$$$$Amazing House
(1BR)
0152
CountrysideBudget stay,
nature
$-$$Kleanthe1-2KmNA31
Ftenagia BeachQuiet, Beach
Seclusion
$$$Cohili Villa (2BR)2Km421
Comparative table of the best areas to stay in Halki

If you are running out of time, here below you find a quick list of the top three Halki accommodations, all in a distinct part of the island.

However, I suggest continuing reading below to discover more about the 3 different areas of the island and other hotels and holiday rental options

  • πŸ₯‡ Amazing House (1BR): I am enjoying so much this accommodation, I am actually writing this post from my private balcony, facing the beautiful bay. I cannot recommend it enough!
  • πŸ₯ˆ Villa Antonis (2BR), with lots of space, it is ideal for a family stay. The view from the balcony is to die for. It’s a stone away from everything.
  • πŸ₯‰ Kleanthe is the budget solution. The location is 5 minutes from the harbour, on the east side, and 5 minutes to the main beach, on the west side. Very quiet.

The island has essentially only one town, called as the island itself, Halki.

As a rule of thumb, the closer you stay to the Harbour area, the more expensive it gets.

As the town extends to the inland, you will mostly find holiday rentals with a bargain price.

This is the area I like to call In Between, located between the harbour and Pondamos Beach, the biggest beach in Symi

And lastly, there is a newly built area, with a few houses facing the tiny boutique Ftenagia Beach

Below you will find more information about the 3 different areas, pros and cons, and a few suggested Halki accommodations for each place

Harbour area

  • 🌎 Best area to stay in Halki for an overall experience 🏩 Amazing House (1BR) is the recommended accommodation in this area
  • πŸ‘ Pros: characteristic and traditional, practical, plenty of restaurants
  • πŸ‘Ž Cons: no beaches
  • 🍷 Best restaurants and bars: Mavri Thalassa, Chalki Barbeque and Kifi Grill
  • πŸ§›β€β™‚οΈ Nightlife: La Piazza Club

This is the most characteristic and traditional part of Halki. How can you not love it!

Typical colourful Dodecanese houses, red tiles roofs. They somehow remind me of the houses from my grandpa’s village, close to Venice.

In fact, the Republic of Venice ruled in this part of Greece for many years till the end of the 17th century, leaving behind the own architecture style.

This is why you will notice many similarities in the house’s design, even more evident in other Dodecanese islands like Rhodes.

The majority of the Halki restaurants are in this area, mostly facing the little bay.

Yes, it can get busy in the morning when the day trippers arrive from Rhodes, but it all suddenly becomes so quiet as soon as they all leave in the late afternoon.

Quickly the harbour area transforms itself into a true local village, to enjoy and share with just a few people.

It’s magical, and that is why I suggest spending at least a night on this beautiful island, and possibly 3 or more, to fully enjoy this unique experience.

True, there are no beaches in town, but you can easily walk to a couple of them or take a small boat to the famous and beautiful Kania Beach

The road to the lovely Kania Beach
The road to the lovely Kania Beach, a smaller and lovely beach

These 3 Halki accommodations below are just so lovely, with my preference given to the Amazing House.

Amazing House (1BR)

This Halki accommodation has been my base during my stay on my last trip. I am actually writing this post from the beautiful balcony facing the turquoise sea.

You can rent it as a couple or with a kid that can sleep on the sofa in the spacious living room.

It’s literally within 5 minutes of walking from the restaurants and the supermarket.

It is so quiet during the night and also during the day, with the many day trippers arriving from Rhodes.

Inside, the house is modern but still with plenty of character

Check price at Amazing House

Panoramic view of the tiny port area of Halki
Panoramic view of the tiny port area of Halki

Spitakia (Studio/1BR)

This accommodation is conveniently positioned right by the harbour, with superb sea and village views while giving ample space for you to have a comfortable stay.

The host usually leaves a welcome basket for guests staying here – such a great way to start the holiday.

You will find a cosy bed and an air-conditioned room, particularly important since the area gets quite warm and humid during the night.

Check price at Spitakia

Villa Antonis (2BR)

Here you get a spacious 2-bed, 1-bath holiday home, complete with a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, spacious dining area, entertainment units including a satellite flat-screen TV.

While here, you get an elegant view of the harbour and the Aegean Sea – which you can enjoy while right on the private balcony.

The traditional stone house has been well maintained, with the hosts putting intricate details into the property decoration, including the artefacts, furniture and vintage fridge.

Check price at Villa Antonis

Countryside – In Between

  • 🌎 Best area to stay in Halki on a budget 🏩 Kleanthe is the recommended accommodation in this area
  • πŸ‘ Pros: budget accommodations, close to the main beach and to the centre of the town
  • πŸ‘Ž Cons: no sea views, more of a country experience
  • 🍷 Best restaurants and bars: go to the harbour town
  • πŸ§›β€β™‚οΈ Nightlife: go to the harbour town

This is the area between the Harbour and the stunning Pondamos Beach, the biggest on the island

You will be within a 10 or even a 5-minute walk to the beautiful sandy beach with lovely turquoise water (west) or the restaurants in the main port of the island (east).

Not bad, isn’t it?

Moreover, this is the place where you will find the most budget oriented Halki accommodations.

What is the catch then? Well, you will not have any water view and you may feel more in a country house than an island villa.

These two places below are real bargain, besides being so characteristic. 

Kleanthe

This double room with a private bathroom is located in a quiet location within a traditional Halki house

The accommodation is well maintained, with high cleanliness standards, and with amenities ranging from the work desk to the stocked kitchen for use during your stay.

You will be within walking distance of the medieval castle, and there is easy access to Pondamos Beach.

It includes air conditioning, free Wi-Fi all across the property, and the rooms come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.

The lounge, garden and terrace are shared.

Check price at Kleanthe

The road to Pondamos Beach, the most popular one for a swim
The road to Pondamos Beach, the most popular one for a swim

Casa Piedra (1BR)

This is a 1-bed 1-bath accommodation, with the host providing towels and bed linen for use during your stay.

The kitchen comes with all the utensils that you can use to prepare your meals, from the oven to the toaster, and the fridge.

There is an ample seating area and a flat-screen TV for your entertainment.

The property is air-conditioned as well and comes with garden views and a children’s playground

Check price at Casa Piedra

Ftenagia Beach

  • 🌎 Best area to stay in Halki for quiet time by the beach 🏩 Cohili Villa (2BR) is the recommended accommodation on this beach
  • πŸ‘ Pros: isolated and facing the sea, with a boutique beach just metres from the door
  • πŸ‘Ž Cons: 15 minutes walk to the restaurants
  • 🍷 Best restaurants and bars: the Beach Restaurant for lunch and go to the harbour town for dinner
  • πŸ§›β€β™‚οΈ Nightlife: go to the harbour town

Ftenagia Beach is a lovely small boutique beach that should be on your island must-see places anyhow.

It is only 1 km from the Harbour area, but you will feel a world apart and totally isolated from the rest of the planet.

The little beach is so beautiful, connected by a 20-30 metres walking path to the only houses there.

There is a restaurant on the beach, of course, with amazing food and service. Unfortunately, it does not open at night.

This area is perfect if you are looking for a quiet stay, facing the Mediterranean sea, ideal for reading books, but still with the possibility of walking to the harbour area in 10-15 minutes (less than a km) for dining at one of the many restaurants or having a drink.

Cohili Villa (2BR)

Catch the sunrise right from the patio, enjoy the direct access to the beach, relax on the wrap-around terrace – this villa has it all.

There’s even an outdoor shower. The property itself is located in a private setting, with a sun deck, and you get unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea.

You won’t have to worry about mosquitos here, since the windows are fitted with screens and shutters.

Accommodation wise, the villa can sleep four, and the outdoors are also spacious enough for sunloungers.

Check price at Cohili Villa

Drone view of Ftenagia Beach with its beautiful villas on the back
Drone view of Ftenagia Beach with its beautiful villas on the back

Aretanassa Hotel

Facing a private beach area (man-made), this is a hotel that is halfway between Ftenagia and the harbour.

Set in a historical building, the Sponge Factory, delivers big time with its spotless rooms and the amazing panoramic views of the village

You can easily walk to the main square of Halki Island in less than 10 minutes. They also provide transportation if needed.

Check price at Aretanassa

Check out my 20 best photos of Halki

Other Halki accommodation

It is always very difficult to find a place to stay in Halki because it is a small island and there is a limited number of accommodations

If you were not lucky to find availability with my previous suggestions, here is another short list of places in the harbour area (or next to it):

Saint Nicholas church and the traditional houses of Halki
Saint Nicholas church and the traditional houses of Halki

How to get to Halki

The nearest airport is the Rhodes International Airport. 

From there, you have two possibilities:

  1. you take the bus to Rhodes town and the direct ferry to Halki
  2. you take the bus/taxi to Kamiros Skala where you can catch the smaller ferry (Alko Ferries) to Halki. 

The second option is quicker if you take the taxi to Kamiros Skala (Skala Kameirou) or if you are lucky enough that your flight matches the timetable of the bus.

You should check out the Alko Ferries website for the timetable and tickets. They run the buses as well. 

The direct ferry from Rhodes Town to Halki is not daily, unfortunately.

Best photos of Halki
Best photos of Halki
Stefano Ferro - MEL365.com Founder and Editor

About the Author

Stefano is a seasoned travel expert and the visionary founder of MEL365.com, a leading travel website with traffic across 6 continents. With a rich background in the travel industry, Stefano spent four pivotal years at Amadeus Travel Distribution System, gaining invaluable insights into travel technologies and distribution.

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