Meis Island Ferry Travel and Travel Guide
Meis Island, also known as Kızılhisar Island, is a holiday paradise with its historical and natural beauties. It is the smallest island of Greece and one of the 12 Islands. The only settlement, Kastellorizo, St. It is a corruption of the name Red Castle (Château – Roux), named by the Knights of St. Jean. The island came under Ottoman rule in 1512 and remained until 1915. Meis Island, which was captured by the French in the First World War and the Italians in 1923, was annexed to Greece after the Second World War. You can visit this wonderful island by purchasing a Meis ferry ticket .
Where is Meis?
Meis Island, one of the 12 Islands of Greece, is one of the closest islands to Antalya Kaş. The distance between them is 2.1 km, and those who come to Kaş for a holiday do not return without seeing Meis Island. Daily visits to Meis Island can be made with ferries and ferries departing from Antalya Kaş.
Its population
According to 2017 data, the population of Meis Island is around 500. The population of the island, located on the opposite shore of Kaş, reaches 1,000 in the summer season. Megisti (Kastellorizo), the largest settlement on the island, is a Greek village on the coast.
Geographical Features
The shores of Meis Island, which has a surface area of 7.3 km² and a length of 9 km, are indented and steep rocks. The airport located on the island is connected to Rhodes Island. Meis, which is flocked by tourists with its colorful houses, flowered streets, crystal clear sea and nature, is 1,300 meters away from the Turkish coast and 110 km east of Rhodes. The island has a triangular shape and its shores are high and rugged. Agios Stefanos stands out with its Nifti and West cape. It is difficult to pass to the west from Meis Island, which has a mountainous structure.
Touristic Places to Visit
There are not many places to visit in detail on Meis Island, which is a very small island. You can travel along the coast in 30 minutes. Its colorful houses and flowered streets are the perfect setting for photographers and those who love taking photos. The island's famous Small Bazaar, its crystal clear sea and small beaches, and the Blue Cave located right behind the island are worth seeing. Its beaches are decorated with pebbles. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful while walking on the beach. While walking on the beach or having your meal at the seaside restaurant, you will see giant caretta carettas, and you will have great fun walking around the streets of Meis, famous for its cats.
Ottoman Mosque and Archeology Museum
Meis Mosque, built in the 18th century, is a mosque where Janissaries prayed during the Ottoman period. The mosque located in the port is now used as a museum. It is estimated that the mosque, dated 1169 Hijri 1752, was a place frequented by those engaged in trade. We definitely recommend you to see the mosque with its red dome and single minaret closely. You can visit the Ottoman Mosque every day of the week except Mondays. You will see the historical collection of Meis closely in the mosque, which is open between 08:00 and 15:00 in summer.
Church of Agios Georgios tou Pigadou
Meis fascinates those who see it with its rare beauties. It is flooded with tourists every year with its colorful and flower-filled streets, dazzling view when you climb the stairs from the church, and natural beauties. Agios Georgios tou Pigadou Church, which we recommend you to see, is a work you will want to see with its historical texture and unique appearance.
Castle of the Knights of St John
4th B.C. Built on the ruins of a castle dating back to the 16th century, St. The Castle of the Knights of St. John was built by the Knights of Saint Jean in the 14th century. It is one of the must-see works in Meis or Megisti, which means the greatest in Greek. The castle is called the Red Castle (Castel Rosso) because the stones remaining from the old ruins turn red as the sun sets. Today, you can see the surviving ruins of the castle that gave its name to Kastellorizo, and watch the magnificent view of Meis and Kaş from a height of 200 meters.
Port of Mandraki
Apart from the main port, there is also a small port used by fishermen on Meis Island. Mandraki Port looks eye-catching with its magnificent sea and nature views and colorful houses.
Cafe Mediterrano and Santrapeia School
You should definitely see Cafe Mediterrano and Santrapeia School in the Chorafia neighborhood. Cafe Mediterrano is a place where many scenes of the movie Mediterraneo took place. You will find a home-like atmosphere in the cafe, where visitors cannot pass by without sitting down. Santrapeia School, built with Mediterranean architecture, immediately attracts attention with its colorful stones and wall paintings.
Lycian Tomb
The Lycian Tomb, which is about 30 meters above sea level, dates back to B.C. It is a work from the 4th century. The shadow at the edge of the grave immediately attracts attention. You can go to the Lycian Tomb and enjoy watching Turkey from Meis.
St. George (Aya Yorgi) Bay
St. Paul, where there is a small business and church. George (Aya Yorgi) Bay is not exactly a beach. To enter the sea, you have to pass through the rocks. The water is extremely clear and clean. St. Petersburg in Meis, where you can visit every part of the island in 2 days at most. You should also see George (Aya Yorgi) Bay. To snorkel and enjoy the clear waters, visit St. George (Aya Yorgi) Bay is perfect.
Activities to Do in Meis
There are many activities that can be done in Meis, where tourists find everything they are looking for: sea, sand and sun. It is also famous to rent canoes in Meis. You can travel by renting a canoe and have different experiences. Meis Island, which has a rocky structure, is perfect for those who want to jump into the sea from a height.
If you want to experience different excitements and enjoy the sea to the fullest, you can swim to your heart's content by jumping from the cliffs into the crystal clear sea of Meis. The best season for a holiday on Meis Island is the summer season. Walking is one of the most enjoyable activities on the charming island of Meis. You can wander along the beach and take photos where you can capture the most beautiful shots in the colorful and flower-filled streets.
Accommodation Opportunities
Meis Island has accommodation options for every budget. Although the island is small, it attracts attention with its 3-4 and 5-star hotels as a town with high tourism potential. Besides hotels, it is also possible to find guesthouses, hostels and apartments. One of the most economical accommodation options on the island is to rent a house.
Poseidon, a hotel 300 meters from Kastelorizo's main port, Megisti Hotel, which is in full harmony with the breathtaking nature of the island, and P&B House, with its barbecue service and sea view, are among the recommended hotels.
Moments Apts, which stands out with its traditional structure, and Agnanti Studios, with its magnificent sea view, are the accommodation centers that welcome the most guests.
Festivals Special Events
Meis Island attracts the attention of tourists with its International Documentary Festival and Culture and Art Festival. Although there are not many festivals and events, it makes a name for itself with the Documentary Festival that is talked about in the world press. Even if your Meis holiday does not coincide with the festival period, you can make a day trip to Meis during your Kaş holiday and have an unforgettable day by participating in the festivals.
Beyond the Borders International Documentary Festival
The International Documentary Film Festival, held on the Greek island of Castellorizo, runs from 26 August to 2 September. People who are famous in the fields of cinema, film and art from all over the world come together in Meis. Meis, the meeting point of historical and sociopolitical documentary creators, becomes a point of interest in the world with the Beyond the Borders International Documentary Festival. The festival, where awards are distributed, makes headlines in the world press, especially the Greek press.
The chairman of the jury of the festival to be held in 2019 is Australian award-winning documentarian Nick Torrens.
International Lycian Kaş Culture and Art Festival
It is a festival where swimming races are held between Kaş and Meis Island. Considering the distance between Kaş and Meis Island, attending the festival, which attracts attention with a high adrenaline and entertaining sea sport, can make your holiday even more exciting. The festival, held every year in July, starts with a cortege march. It continues with folk dances and shows and ends with the Kaş Meis swimming race.
Food culture
You can have a wonderful feast on Meis Island, where you can taste delicious Greek dishes and appetizers. Sun-dried octopus, stuffed calamari, Greek salad, saganaki, and moussaka with melted cheese are delicacies you must try. Don't forget to taste ouzo, the most famous drink of the Greeks. Ouzo, known as Greek raki, adorns the tables together with seafood.
After meals, I can't get enough of a Greek coffee with milk and lots of foam, similar to lakke, accompanied by a sea view.
Kastellorizo Restaurants
Famous for its seafood, Mediterranean and Greek cuisine, Alexandra's Restaurant is vegetarian-friendly and attracts tourists with its vegan and gluten-free options. If you want to stay for lunch and dinner as well as night entertainment, you can choose to stay.
Mandraki Seafood Ostraka Restaurant, where you will love seafood, seafood pasta, salads and appetizers, is a restaurant where you can taste homemade meals and free homemade ice cream.
Lazarakis, which is above average in its rating, draws attention as a typical Greek restaurant. While it hosts its guests in the best possible way with its excellent service and delicious food, it is highly appreciated with its fried cheese, stuffed calamari, grilled octopus and Greek salad.
Athena Fish Tavern, where you will feel all the blue of Mais Island, attracts attention with its affordable prices and delicious food. It is especially preferred by Turkish tourists as a place that makes you feel the privilege of being Turkish.
Shopping
You can shop with Turkish Lira on Meis Island, which is very close to Kaş. There are stylish boutiques, shops with sparkling showcases and small souvenir shops in Meis, where there are no expensive brands. You will also come across shabby boutiques and free shops. Products you can take with you as Meis souvenirs include magnets, Meis Island printed bags, hats, ornaments and dresses.
Small shops selling natural products are shopping points where you can find olive oil soaps, pistachio and almond honey mixtures and laurel soaps. There are no large shopping areas on the island where you can find food products, except for 2 large supermarkets. You can find local food products in small shops. Shops selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages also serve local and foreign customers.
Transportation Alternatives
To reach Meis Island, you can use sea buses and ferries departing from Kaş. By purchasing a Meis island ferry ticket, you will reach Meis Island, the closest Greek island to Turkey, in 20 minutes. Meis express ferry tickets are offered to customers according to one-way, round trip, adult, child and with or without a car tariffs. Meis express , which organizes ferry services between Meis and Kaş, offers a quality and reliable service with its ferry services twice a day.
You can choose Meis Express to get ferry and yacht services and have an unforgettable holiday in Meis.
If you love sea travel and are planning a Kaş Meis holiday, Meis Express is at your service with its affordable prices and stable ferry services. Anyone with a passport of at least 6 months can benefit from the Meis ferry service, which requires a visa at the door.
If you are going to choose the Kaş Meis ferry, we recommend that you complete the visa procedures a few days in advance. Since weekends are especially busy, it is important that you do not leave purchasing ferry tickets until the last minute to ensure that your holiday plan goes as you wish.
