Kasos Car Hire

Guide to Kasos

Geography

Kasos, or Casos, is a Greek island municipality located in the Dodecanese. It is the southernmost island in the Aegean Sea and east of Crete. Armathia and Makronisi, the two biggest uninhabited offshore islands in the Municipality of Kasos, are part of this municipality. There are five communities on the island: Fri, Agia Marina, Panagia, Poli, and Arvanitochori.

Climate in Kasos

When visiting Kasos in Greece, the ideal time to go is between May and November, when the weather is beautiful and there is no or very little rain. During the summer months, the average temperature on Kasos rises to 26°C, while the winter months see the temperature drop to 15°C.

Culture

Kasos was claimed to have been created by Inahos's son Kasos and his bride, the daughter of Cyprus's King Salaminos, according to Greek mythology. Ancient settlements date back to the Minoan period, which is consistent with most of Greece. According to Homer's Iliad, Kasos provided ships during the Trojan War. Between 14th and 15th century Venice and the Ottoman Empire ruled Kasos. After the Greek Revolution of 1821, the Kasiots furnished ships for the Egyptian army; three years later, they were murdered and enslaved for their involvement. As part of the Paris Treaty, it was transferred to Greece in 1947, and it remained an Italian territory until then. In 1948, Kasos became a part of Greece.

Things to do in Kasos

Stroll through Fry

Kasos' principal town and port, Fry (which is pronounced “free”), is home to around 350 people. Its Greek name, "Fry," translates to "eyebrow" and is a reference to the town's form. Bouka, a historic pirate base, is a superb example of medieval architecture with tiny lanes in Fry. Boukas Square lies situated on the water in the port of Bouka. Images of the island are depicted in mosaics on the rooftop terraces, while the anchors and cannons remind visitors of the town's ancient piratical origins. The best way to get to know this town is to observe the port activities from a café.

Explore Panaghia

In Panaghia, you'll find several well-maintained majestic mansions with towering archaic-style columns at their entrances and intricately carved wooden doors. This hamlet is also home to the Church of Pera Panaghia, which organizes one of the island's largest celebrations of the Dormition of the Virgin on August 15, a national holiday. The village's six modest churches are fine examples of Byzantine architecture. According to folklore, the chapels were constructed in order to scare away local fairies. Once every time a church was finished and consecrated to a saint, a fairy departed. The churches are dedicated to Agios Charalambos, Antonios the Great, Apotomi tou Timios Prodromos, Agia Varvara, Agios Ioannis, and Agios Nikolaos in sequence from north to south.

Discover the Cave of Ellinokamara

The Cave of Ellinokamara may be found at Agia Marina, a little village on the island's southwest coast. From the town, there is a paved trail that leads to the cave entrance. Large limestone pieces were used to fortify the cave, which is both natural and man-made. The cave was probably utilized as a site of worship from the Mycenaean era through the Hellenistic period. Townsfolk used the cave as a refuge during pirate raids later in its history. There are also some stunning stalactites and stalagmites to be seen in Stilokamara, a plateau southwest of Ellinokamara.

Eating out in Kasos

Emporio Taverna is arguably the best restaurant on Emporio Beach. The tavern's owner is kind and welcoming, the service is impeccable, and the seafood dishes are out of this world. Make sure to book a table before visiting. There is no better spot to dine and drink than Maroukla Cafe in Arvanitochori. Located in the village's central square, it boasts a wide variety of foods to choose from, including souvlaki, roasting liver, and mezze platters. When it comes to seafood, there's no better spot in Fri than Meltemi Restaurant to sample some of the city's best dishes. The skate fish with skordalia and grilled squid are both excellent.

Kasos Transport

Airport

The island of Kasos is served by Kasos Airport (KSJ), which is located about 4 kilometres from the city centre.

Getting around Kasos

Taking a boat to Kasos is the best way to get there, and it's really thrilling if you're also island-hopping. Ferry travel to and from Kasos is preferred by Greek islands because of its ease and flexibility! Within the island, however, driving is the best option as you’ll be able to stop as you wish along the way at traditional towns or to take in the views. There is also a municipal bus that connects the port with the island towns.