Region profile
Dodecanese
A longer season than most of Greece and decent year-round infrastructure on the two main islands.
Last verified 12 September 2026 · 1 day ago · checked by spec-import Every figure on this page was checked against its source on this date.
Snapshot
- Population
- Around 190,000, concentrated on Rhodes and Kos.
- Climate
- The longest warm season in Greece, with mild winters and very hot summers.
- Getting there
- Rhodes and Kos airports with long European seasons; ferries to Piraeus take a full night.
- Internet
- Good on Rhodes and Kos. Thinner on the smaller islands.
- English usability
- Very high — these islands have hosted northern European visitors for decades.
- Golden Visa zone
- Mixed — depends on the specific island or area — Rhodes and Kos are above the 3,100 population line and fall in Zone A. Smaller Dodecanese islands are Zone B.
Living here
Who this place suits
- People working in tourism who want a seven-month season rather than four.
- Retirees who want mild winters and an established foreign community.
- Anyone who values being close to Turkey for cheap flights and short trips.
Who it does not suit
- Anyone looking for year-round non-tourism employment outside Rhodes town.
- People who want to be a short hop from Athens — the ferry is overnight.
- Buyers assuming island means Zone B on Rhodes or Kos.
Areas and neighbourhoods
One trade-off sentence each. Every one of these has a downside worth knowing before you sign anything.
- Rhodes Town
- A medieval old town with real year-round life, and a summer visitor load to match.
- Kos
- Flat, cyclable and very well connected in season, and heavily package-tourism shaped.
- Karpathos
- Genuinely traditional and beautiful, and difficult to reach outside summer.
Healthcare
General hospitals on Rhodes and Kos. Health centres elsewhere, with transfers for complex care.
Read how the Greek health system works for what registration actually gets you.
What it costs
Rent bands for this area, drawn from the shared dataset. Remember that
advertised rent excludes utilities and koinochrista — the building's common
charges, at Common charges (koinochrista) Building maintenance, shared lighting and often central heating, billed separately from rent. Always ask for the monthly figure before signing.€30 to €150 a month — source and verification date
| One-bedroom, central | €250–€400 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom, outside centre | €200–€330 |
| Three-bedroom, central | €400–€700 |
| Utilities, 85 m² apartment | €120–€200 |
| Home internet | €30–€45 |
| Groceries, single person | €200–€300 |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | €8–€12 |
Visiting
Worth the trip
- The Rhodes old town walls, walked in the early morning.
- The Asklepieion on Kos.
- Symi, as a day trip from Rhodes.
Best months
April to June and September to early November — the season really is longer here.
What to skip
Lindos at midday in August.
Before you book, check entry requirements and read about the accommodation tax, which is not included in the price you see on a booking site.