Kinaros
Kinaros is a tiny, rugged island in the central Dodecanese between Amorgos and Kalymnos, just 4.5 square kilometres of steep rock rising to 296 metres, with no sandy beaches and no natural harbour. It made national news in 2016 when its sole resident, the shepherdess Rinio Katsaotourchi, died — she had lived there alone with her goats for years — and today it is inhabited only occasionally by shepherds from Amorgos and by a small Greek naval outpost.
The island is part of the Natura 2000 network and is known for its wild beauty, sheer cliffs, Eleonora’s falcons, and the deep blue sea around it. There is nothing to visit in the tourist sense, no settlement, no tavernas — just wind, thyme, and goats — a true frontier islet of the Aegean that reminds you how lonely these seas can be.
If you want the most remote island in Greece, this is it
Kinaros is a small Greek island in Aegean Sea, named after the artichoke kinara which it produced. It is second westernmost island of Dodecanese after Astypalea, area 4.5 km², highest point 296m. Noted by ancient authors including Pliny the Elder, Pomponius Mela, Athenaeus.
Kinaros is uninhabited island in Dodecanese, southeastern Aegean, maintains connections with neighboring Kalymnos reflecting maritime traditions. According to 2011 census had only 2 inhabitants, Irini Katsotourhi — popularly known as Kyra Rinio — and husband Mikes, both returned from Australia and decided to live permanently to fulfill father’s last wish to return to Kinaros and renovate family home. In 2013 husband died and since she is only resident. 2020 census recorded only one permanent resident. Born on Amorgos, went to Kinaros with family when 3, migrated to Darwin in Australia 1970 before moving back to Greece Kalymnos 1985, returned to Kinaros.
Greek President visits sole inhabitant — Lady of Kinaros, Tireless Guardian of the Aegean. I have been in quarantine for many years, Katsotourhi quipped. Island has many goat paths, pleasant long walks, abandoned WWII Italian outpost on top, unique bird fauna. Coastline only 4.5 sq km, impressive beaches but no facilities.
Can you visit
There are no ferries, no accommodation, no tavernas. You can only get there on own boat or hiring excursion boat from Amorgos, Kalymnos or Leros. Located west of Kalymnos and Leros, east of Amorgos, west of islands Leros and Amorgos. The island maintains connections with neighboring Kalymnos.
President Sakellaropoulou paid visit to remote border island where she met only inhabitant, located west of islands of Leros and Amorgos. Kyra Rini symbolizes Christmas in relevant way — living alone guarding border.
It’s not for beach holiday — it’s for understanding what remote Aegean life means. For sailors navigating Dodecanese, interesting stop, but respect private home and protected birdlife.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinaros | Kinaros small Greek island Aegean Sea named after artichoke kinara second westernmost island Dodecanese after Astypalea area 4.5 km2 highest point 296m noted Pliny Elder Pomponius Mela 2011 population 2 inhabitants Greek couple returned Australia raising livestock as of 2013 only one
- https://www.allovergreece.com/kinaros-island/ | Kinaros small paradise 4.5 square km located west Kalymnos Leros east Amorgos named artichoke unique bird fauna 2011 census only 2 inhabitants Irini Kotsatourchi Kyra Rinio husband Mikes returned Australia fulfill father’s last wish return renovate family home 2013 husband died only resident
- https://thegreekherald.azurewebsites.net/2020/12/24/greek-president-visits-sole-inhabitant-of-kinaros/ | President Sakellaropoulou visit remote island sole inhabitant Katerina Katsotourhi located west Leros Amorgos coastline 4.5 km2 quarantine many years born Amorgos family 3 migrated Darwin Australia 1970 moving back Greece Kalymnos 1985 returned Kinaros
- https://aroundus.com/p/1000000116-kinaros | Kinaros uninhabited island Dodecanese southeastern Aegean accounts ancient writers Pliny Elder Pomponius Mela connections neighboring Kalymnos maritime traditions 2020 census only one permanent resident decrease two 2011
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Last Updated on August 29, 2026 by admin