Dodecanese Explorer
Dodecanese north to south
Eleven nights from Patmos down to Rhodes, the longest way through the Dodecanese, taking in Kalymnos, Kos and Symi along the way.
This is the full north-to-south run through the Dodecanese, starting on Patmos, the monastery island, and ending in Rhodes, the archipelago's largest and best connected. Kalymnos and Kos fill the middle with climbing, beaches and ancient ruins, and Symi adds a short, scenic stop before the finale. Eleven nights at a balanced pace mean this route covers more ground than any other Dodecanese itinerary here, without any single transfer feeling rushed.
Why this order
Patmos starts the trip because its Dodekanisos Seaways connection to Kalymnos, 1h10m, is direct and reasonably frequent for a smaller island. Kalymnos to Kos then runs the reverse of one of the route's best-served legs, four sailings a day. From Kos, the route continues toward Symi and on to Rhodes along the same local network, with Rhodes–Symi as the most frequent crossing in the chain, three times daily year-round. Ending in Rhodes rather than Patmos means finishing on the island with an international airport, not one that requires flying via Athens. In reverse, the trip would start on its best-connected island and end on Patmos, which has no airport at all.
Best for
Suits travelers with time for a proper Dodecanese tour rather than a sampler — eleven nights lets Kalymnos's climbing crowd, Kos's ancient sites, Symi's harbor, and Rhodes's old town each get real attention. The balanced pace assumes one transfer roughly every two to three nights. Skip it if you only want one or two of these islands, or if eleven nights is more time than your trip allows.
Islands on this route
- 1
- 2
- 3
Kos Recommended nights: 2–3 No direct ferry - 4
- 5
Who sails it
- Dodekanisos Seaways Official timetable
- Blue Star Ferries Official timetable
Frequently asked questions
Why this order?
Patmos starts the trip because its Dodekanisos Seaways connection to Kalymnos, 1h10m, is direct and reasonably frequent for a smaller island. Kalymnos to Kos then runs the reverse of one of the route's best-served legs, four sailings a day. From Kos, the route continues toward Symi and on to Rhodes along the same local network, with Rhodes–Symi as the most frequent crossing in the chain, three times daily year-round. Ending in Rhodes rather than Patmos means finishing on the island with an international airport, not one that requires flying via Athens. In reverse, the trip would start on its best-connected island and end on Patmos, which has no airport at all.
Best for?
Suits travelers with time for a proper Dodecanese tour rather than a sampler — eleven nights lets Kalymnos's climbing crowd, Kos's ancient sites, Symi's harbor, and Rhodes's old town each get real attention. The balanced pace assumes one transfer roughly every two to three nights. Skip it if you only want one or two of these islands, or if eleven nights is more time than your trip allows.
How we plan it?
Patmos has no airport, so arrival there means flying into Kos or Rhodes first and connecting by ferry — factor that extra day into the front of the trip, not just the end. The middle stretch toward Symi runs on a thinner schedule than the Rhodes–Symi or Kos–Kalymnos legs, so keep a buffer night around it, and note that most Dodecanese crossings here carry a moderate wind rating in high summer.
Times, prices and frequencies are indicative and change by season and operator. Always confirm the live timetable before you book.