Coast to Island

Where to Stay in Kastellorizo (Meis): Best Areas and Hotels Near the Harbour

Where to stay in Kastellorizo after the ferry from Kaş: harbour vs Mandraki, 8 guesthouses and small hotels, day trip or overnight, and when to book.

Last checked:

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

For most visitors arriving on the ferry from Kaş, the best place to stay in Kastellorizo is right on the main harbour, where you can walk from the quay to your room in a few minutes. If you want quiet and a swim from your doorstep, look at the far end of the harbour or at Mandraki, the small bay over the hill. Everything is walkable, but there are only a few dozen places to stay, so book early for summer.

We haven’t stayed at these hotels ourselves; we picked them on location, published details and guest ratings.

Short answer

Day trip or overnight?

Most people visit Meis as a day trip from Kaş: the crossing is short, boats usually leave Kaş in the morning and return in the afternoon, and the harbour is busy with day visitors through the middle of the day. That works if you only want a walk, lunch and a swim. Check current times in our Kaş to Kastellorizo ferry guide.

Staying overnight is a different experience. Once the day boats leave, the harbour quietens down, dinner is served at tables on the water’s edge, the castle is lit up at night and you can see the lights of the Turkish coast across the water. You also get the early morning to yourself, which is the best time to climb the steps above town or take a boat to the Blue Cave before the day visitors arrive. One or two nights is enough for most people; three if you want to swim and do nothing.

Areas

Area Good for Distance from the ferry quay Vibe
Main harbour waterfront First-timers, one-night stays, couples Roughly 2–5 min walk Lively by day, tavernas and cafés by night
Quieter end of the harbour Swimming, couples, longer stays About 8–10 min walk Calmer, hotel terraces on the water
Mandraki Quiet, self-catering, swimming About 7–15 min walk depending on the property Small residential bay, fishing boats

Main harbour waterfront

This is the horseshoe of colourful mansions around the port, where the ferry from Kaş docks and where nearly all restaurants, cafés and shops are. Staying here means a very short walk with luggage, and you are on the waterfront the moment you step outside. Some properties sit on the slope above the harbour, which gives better views but means steps.

The trade-off is noise and bustle: day visitors fill the quay in the middle of the day, and in high summer the tavernas stay busy into the evening. Best for first-time visitors, short stays and anyone without much luggage-carrying patience.

Quieter end of the harbour

At the far end of the harbour from the main cafés, a couple of hotels sit right on the water with terraces and ladders into the sea. The tavernas are still within a short walk, but the evenings are calmer.

Expect a walk of around 8–10 minutes from the quay. It suits couples and anyone who plans to swim every day and wants the harbour atmosphere without being in the middle of it.

Mandraki

Mandraki is the small bay on the other side of the hill from the main port. A path leads around the headland, past the mosque and a rock-cut Lycian tomb. It is mostly residential, with a few fishing boats, a small pebbly beach and swimming spots.

It is the quietest option, and studios here tend to be self-catering. The downside is the walk back from dinner at the harbour, especially with children, and a few minutes more with bags on arrival. Good for longer stays and travellers who want peace more than nightlife.

Hotels

Main harbour waterfront

Casa Mediterraneo Hotel

4★

Main harbour

Ferry port
about 200 m (around 2 min walk) from the port
Best for
couples / families / design lovers

Six suites set in restored mansions on the slope above the harbour, most with sea views; one family suite has two bedrooms and sleeps two adults and two children. Its pergola bar is a popular spot for sunset drinks in summer. Being on the hillside means some steps, and it is in the higher price band (€€€); rated around 9.1/10 on Booking.com (October 2026).

See rates & availability

Poseidon Hotel

Main harbour

Ferry port
about 300 m from the main port
Best for
families / groups / self-catering

Studios and larger multi-bedroom units spread over a group of neoclassical buildings just behind the waterfront, each with a kitchenette; some rooms have sea views. The sea is about 30 m away, and breakfast is not served from November to March. Mid-range (€€), rated around 9.2/10 on Booking.com from a large number of reviews (October 2026).

See rates & availability

Maria's Apartments

Main harbour

Ferry port
about 2 min walk from the port
Best for
budget / one-night stays / independent travellers

Simple apartments with a kitchenette, private terrace and air conditioning, close to the harbour, with shared barbecue facilities and a washing machine. The listing describes the views as mountain rather than sea views. One of the most convenient choices for a short stay off the ferry (€€); rated around 9.7/10 on Booking.com (October 2026).

See rates & availability

To Pefko - Mezzanines

Main harbour

Ferry port
a few hundred metres from the harbour (listings give 300–500 m)
Best for
couples / self-catering

Mezzanine-style units with a kitchenette and sea-view balconies, a short walk from the port. Cots can be arranged on request, but there are no extra beds, so it is better for couples than larger families. Mid-range (€€); rated around 9.3/10 on Booking.com (October 2026).

See rates & availability

Quieter end of the harbour

Megisti Hotel

Quieter end of the harbour

Ferry port
about 0.8 km (around 9 min walk) from the port
Best for
couples / swimming / longer stays

The island's largest hotel, with 19 rooms and suites, all facing the sea or harbour, and a buffet breakfast. Its waterside terrace has sunbeds and a private swimming area, and there is a bar and lunchtime restaurant. Higher price band (€€€); rated around 9.5/10 on Booking.com (October 2026).

See rates & availability

Mediterraneo Hotel

Quieter end of the harbour

Ferry port
about 8 min walk from the port
Best for
couples / swimming

An owner-run boutique hotel with seven individually styled rooms in a converted seafront house, with breakfast served and a terrace where a ladder leads straight into the sea. Dinner can be arranged on request. Cots and extra beds are not available; rated around 9.1/10 on Booking.com (October 2026).

See rates & availability

Mandraki

Mandraki Paradise

Mandraki

Best for
quiet / self-catering / longer stays

Four units, two studios and two two-storey apartments, in the small fishing harbour of Mandraki, with the sea about 20 m away and kitchenettes in each unit. Children over five are welcome. Quiet and simple (€€), but a walk over the hill to the main harbour; rated around 9.6/10 on Booking.com (October 2026).

See rates & availability

Agnanti Studios

Mandraki

Ferry port
within about 700 m (around 7 min walk) of the port
Best for
swimming / couples / quiet

Waterfront studios with sea-view balconies, kitchenettes and private sea access for swimming and sunbathing, plus a garden and barbecue. A good fit if you want to swim before breakfast without walking anywhere (€€). Rated around 9.8/10 on Booking.com (October 2026).

See rates & availability

Practical tips

Arriving by ferry from Kaş

Ferries from Kaş arrive at the main harbour of Kastellorizo town, and you go through passport control on arrival. From the quay you walk to your room: harbour properties are a few minutes away, the quieter end of the harbour is around 8–10 minutes, and Mandraki is a short walk around the headland. Taxis are very limited (the island has hardly any cars), so if you have heavy bags or are staying in Mandraki, ask your host in advance whether they can meet you. Pack light; many houses have steep stairs.

Crossing times, operators and the passport process are covered in our Kaş to Kastellorizo ferry guide. For other crossings from the Turkish coast, see all routes.

When to book

Supply is very small: Booking.com lists only around 40 properties on the whole island (October 2026), and many have just a handful of rooms. For July and August, book as early as you can; for a summer weekend, a few months ahead is sensible. May, June, September and October are easier and still warm enough for swimming. Before paying for a non-refundable room, check that the ferry is running on your dates, as timetables change by season and weather.

Getting around

You won’t need a car. The town is compact and walkable, and boats from the harbour go to St George islet, Plakes and the Blue Cave. A minibus serves the small airport, about 3 km from town.

FAQ

Is it worth staying overnight in Kastellorizo?

Yes, if you can spare a night. The day trip shows you the harbour at its busiest; staying overnight gives you the quiet evening, dinner on the water and the early morning before the boats from Kaş arrive.

Which area is closest to the ferry?

The main harbour waterfront. Maria’s Apartments and Casa Mediterraneo are about two minutes’ walk from the port, and Poseidon Hotel about 300 m.

Are there beaches near the hotels?

There are no sandy beaches in town. People swim from ladders along the harbour, from hotel terraces such as Megisti and Mediterraneo, at Mandraki, or take a short boat ride to St George islet.

Is Kastellorizo good for families?

It can be, as long as you are comfortable with stairs and swimming from rocks and ladders rather than a beach. Poseidon Hotel’s multi-bedroom units and Casa Mediterraneo’s family suite are the most practical options.

How far ahead should I book?

For July and August, as early as possible, because there are so few rooms. In spring and autumn you can usually book a few weeks ahead, but check the ferry schedule first.

Sources