Admiral’s HouseAndreas Stathis
Admiral’s House
This elegant 3-bedroom residence is located on a rocky coast and is surrounded by the sea. The owner of Constantina, Agapita Crowley, affectionately known as Ambassador Kastellorizo, is the daughter of the eponymous admiral who built the house. It is still a family home whose blue and white interiors are full of history and character. Still, the main attraction is the series of terraces at the water’s edge with sun loungers and ladders that draw you irresistibly towards the dark blue. Restaurants and cafes along the harbor are a 15-minute walk away.
Information: theadmiral.tripcombined.com
Casa Mediterraneo
The other guest house Marie Rivalant, located in a trio of neoclassical residences set back from the waterfront, has a slightly more muted and refined look. All 6 suites have sea views and occupy the entire floor. Interiors painted in dark tones of ochre, burnt umber, olive green and terracotta change throughout the day as sunlight streams through the large windows. Guests meet under the garden pergola for a breakfast of fresh figs and goat cheese. As the sun sets, connoisseurs come for an aperitif or take part in impromptu dinners organized by guest chefs. The result of a collaboration between Rivalant and two other French architects who love the island (Grégoire Du Pasquier and Luc Jejeune), the place exudes romanticism. But it is also an ideal starting point to find out who lives on Kastellorizo.
Information: casamediterraneohotel.com
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Things to do in Kastellorizo
The Blue Cave
You have to lie down to squeeze through the opening of this sea cave, but suddenly you’re floating inside a dome of liquefied blue light. Swimming in the cave feels like an out-of-body experience, even as other enthusiastic visitors float around you. The cave is said to be home to a seal, as elusive as the Loch Ness Monster. Access is only possible when the sea is calm.
Swimming
There are virtually no beaches (sandy or otherwise) in Kastellorizo, yet swimming, snorkeling and boating are some of the best things to do here. You can dive directly into the sea from Faros pier or Mandraki, another natural harbor located next to the ferry pier. You can even swim with the turtles that lurk near the seafood taverns. You can also follow the trails to secluded swimming spots like Plakes, where you can sunbathe in the flat limestone rock formations.
Saint-Georges Bay
Take a cruise to the small island of Saint-Georges, whose rocky coast is perfect for snorkeling. The island is uninhabited except for a simple beach bistro run by Greek-Turkish couple Tsikos and Hurigul. The menu blurs culinary boundaries, offering gozleme (stuffed Turkish flatbread) alongside Greek salad and club sandwiches.
Information: saintgeorgebeach.gr