A week is enough to cover three very different sides of the Dodecanese: Rhodes’ medieval Old Town, Symi’s pastel-coloured harbour, and the quieter island of Kalymnos, all reachable by short ferries from Rhodes. Unlike the Cyclades routes, this one flies in and out of the same island.
Route overview
| Days | Island | Ferry to get there | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Rhodes | Fly into Rhodes | Old Town, Lindos, Street of the Knights |
| 4-5 | Symi | ~1h from Rhodes | Pastel harbour, day-trip crowds thin out by evening |
| 6-7 | Kalymnos | ~2-3h from Symi, often via Kos | Sponge-diving history, rock climbing, quiet coves |
Days 1-3: Rhodes
Fly directly into Rhodes and use the first three days for the island itself: the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master in the Old Town, then a half-day trip to Lindos for its clifftop acropolis. Visit the Old Town’s main sights before 10am, ahead of the cruise-ship crowds.
Days 4-5: Symi
A short hour-long ferry from Rhodes Town brings you to Symi, known for its amphitheatre-shaped harbour lined with pastel neoclassical houses. Symi is a popular day trip from Rhodes, so the harbour empties out noticeably once the afternoon boats leave: staying two nights gets you the quieter version most day-trippers never see.
Days 6-7: Kalymnos
The local Dodecanese ferry line connects Symi onward to Kalymnos, often calling at Kos along the way — check the current schedule, as this leg can take 2-3 hours depending on the routing. Kalymnos is a working island with a strong sponge-diving history and, more recently, a reputation as one of Europe’s top rock-climbing destinations. Even without climbing gear, the quieter coves around Emporios and Vathys are worth the trip.
The way back
From Kalymnos you take the ferry back to Rhodes Town (2.5 to 3.5 hours, most days of the week) to catch your return flight, since Rhodes is the only airport with regular international connections on this route. Build in a buffer day between the ferry and your flight if you can.
For a longer Dodecanese trip, Kos sits on the same ferry network between Kalymnos and Rhodes and makes a natural extra stop.
Frequently asked questions
Do you fly into and out of the same island on this route?
Yes. Rhodes has the main Dodecanese airport, so you fly in and out of there. After Kalymnos, you take a ferry back to Rhodes Town to catch your return flight, rather than flying home from a different island.
How long is the ferry from Rhodes to Symi?
About an hour on the fast catamaran. It's one of the most popular day-trip routes in the Dodecanese, so departures run frequently in season.
Is Kalymnos worth 2 nights on a first Dodecanese trip?
Yes, especially if you enjoy hiking or rock climbing: Kalymnos is one of Europe's best-known climbing destinations. Even without climbing, its working harbour and sponge-diving history make it a good contrast to touristy Rhodes.
