What to see in Chalki?
Chalki is a charming island with beautiful sea and many quiet trails to explore, discovering forgotten emotions. However, it is better not to visit in winter because the sea is often very rough and the ferries skip their runs. The main things to see and do are listed below.
Nimborio
The capital built at the end of a bay with brightly colored houses and red roofs arranged in an amphitheater. Two churches with tall bell towers are visible. The one near the port, Aghios Nikolaos, in addition to having the most beautiful, elaborate, and tallest bell tower in the Dodecanese, has remarkable frescoes and a beautiful courtyard of black and white pebbles. The village seems large but does not have many inhabitants; in fact, many houses are uninhabited. On top of a hill, there are some windmills enriching the landscape.
Chalki Traditional House
An interesting private house open to the public that contains typical local objects and furniture as well as ancient artifacts.
Palio Chorio
The old abandoned capital that can also be reached on foot from the port in half an hour. You can admire the ancient white walls, a medieval castle, and the church. The place is very scenic and some houses are starting to be restored.
Monastery Ai Yannis Alargas
An isolated monastery famous for its pilgrimages, characterized by having 300 chapels.
Caves
The main ones are Chelia with religious paintings on the rock and Amiglai (also known as "burned" cave) on a steep rock. The latter is named because the inhabitants of the island were killed there by a Venetian admiral who set fire to the entrance of the cave.
Islet of Alimnia
Deserted, with beautiful beaches and crystal-clear sea.
Festivals
The festivals on the island are very heartfelt, cheerful, and traditional. They usually involve typical dances and rich banquets. Some dates are: August 14-15, August 28-29, and September 14.
Festivals for the youth
Every September, shows, festivals, conferences, and artistic expression courses are organized to attract young people from all over the world to the island.
