Greece Islands near Turkey? Here are the Eastern Islands off the Turkish Coast

The eastern Greek islands, those closest to Turkey, belong to the North East Aegean archipelago in the north, and to the Dodecanese in the south. A vacation on some of these islands might include a "jump" to Turkey, perhaps even for just a day trip. Another way to visit both the Greek islands and the Turkish coast is by cruise or simply by gulet. These islands, very close to Turkey, have only partially been influenced by Turkish culture. You can find minarets and mosques on them, but they have remained essentially "Greek" in traditions and culture. In recent years, some of them have also become destinations for many migrants who reach them from the Turkish coast to seek refuge in Europe. Let's see below which ones retain some memory of the Ottoman domination and how they are connected to nearby Turkey.

CHIOS (NORTH EAST AEGEAN)

It is located 7 nautical miles from the Turkish coast, which can be reached in Cesme in about half an hour of navigation. Ottoman buildings are seen everywhere on the island. Of particular interest is the fortress surrounded by walls that enclose the old and picturesque Turkish quarter. Also related to the Turkish domination, you can visit the Ossuary of Mitras on the island, which commemorates the "Massacre of Chios" that took place in 1882 by the Turks, where more than 25,000 islanders were brutally killed.

🏡 See the best hotels and studios in Chios
🛳️ Find a ferry to Chios

LESBOS (NORTH EAST AEGEAN)

A few nautical miles separate it from the Turkish coast, which can be reached in an hour and a half at the port of Ayvalik or, with a longer journey, at the port of Izmir. The Genoese castle of Mytilene, in a panoramic position, contains the ruins of the Turkish city that once stood within its walls.

SAMOS (NORTH EAST AEGEAN)

It is very close to the Turkish coast, just over 1 nautical mile, which can be reached in Kusadasi. A typical day trip to the Turkish coast from Samos is to Ephesus (see image below), one of the main archaeological sites in Asia Minor.

CASTELORIZO (DODECANESE)

The island is only 3 kilometers from the Turkish coast and still has a Greek-Turkish atmosphere. Minarets and churches coexist on the island. From Castelorizo, you can take a nice day trip to Kas, Turkey, where you can admire beautiful archaeological sites.

KOS (DODECANESE)

It is very close to the Turkish coast, in particular, it is opposite the town of Bodrum, which is only 4 km away (reachable in 45 minutes of navigation). A characteristic of the island is the presence of the Islamic world mixed with the Orthodox one. During the day you might hear the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer, and the island's cuisine also offers Turkish dishes. Kos has two mosques with minarets.

🏡 See the best hotels and studios in Kos
🛳️ Find a ferry to Kos

RHODES (DODECANESE)

It is located very close to the coast of Asia Minor, which can be reached in 1 to 2.5 hours of navigation, depending on the ports of arrival. In the island's capital, the memory of Turkish rule has remained mainly in a neighborhood within the old town consisting of alleys topped with arches and vaults, markets, mosques, and the inevitable Turkish bath.

🏡 See the best hotels and studios in Rhodes
🛳️ Find a ferry to Rhodes

SYMI (DODECANESE)

Symi is also very close to Turkey (about 5 kilometers); in particular, it is nestled between two Turkish peninsulas that can be reached, by navigation, in a time ranging from half an hour to 2.5 hours, depending on the port of destination. On the island, occupied by the Turks in 1522, not much remains of that period. The main attractions now are the colorful village architecture and the various monasteries.