Strongyli
Strongyli Megistis is the same islet as Strongyli — a 0.9-square-kilometre uninhabited rock that is the easternmost land of Greece and the Dodecanese, lying 3 miles southeast of Kastellorizo in the Megisti island complex. Also called Ypsili, it is dry, treeless and steep, with a lighthouse built in 1914 on its high point and a small military detachment stationed there year-round.
Its name Megistis comes from Kastellorizo’s official name, Megisti, and distinguishes this Strongyli from the dozen other Strongylis scattered around the Aegean. Barely larger than a hilltop, it has no beaches or anchorage of note, but its position just off Kas on the Turkish coast makes it a strategic frontier marker and the first and last piece of Greek soil on many east Mediterranean passages.
The 0.9 sq km islet with 1 resident that marks the easternmost point of Greece
Strongyli Megistis Greek Στρογγυλή Μεγίστης, also called plainly Strongyli or Ypsili, is a Greek islet in eastern Mediterranean Sea about four kilometers southeast of Kastellorizo, also listed as five nautical miles southeast. It covers an area of about 0.9 square kilometres or 0.3 sq mi, about 1.5 kilometres or 0.9 miles long and up to 700 metres wide. It is rather flat and covered with macchia.
Strongyli is the easternmost Greek territory at 36°7′N 29°38′E. Administratively part of Municipality of Megisti. According to 2021 census the island has 1 inhabitant, according to 2011 census deserted, with no permanent residents. It has a lighthouse which is the easternmost building in Greece, built 1870 by French Company of Lighthouses, with two watchmen staffing it, plus a cargo aerial cableway used by army to transport cargo from disembarkation to Surveillance Outpost.
Kastellorizo itself — officially Megisti Μεγίστη meaning biggest but actually smallest Dodecanese — is 11.98 km2 or 5 square miles plus smaller uninhabited islands, about 500 people, 80 miles from Rhodes, 170 miles west of Cyprus, just 1 mile off Turkey. Strongyli is its satellite and where sovereignty actually ends.
This is for you if you want the absolute edge of Europe, not a stay. It is not inhabited in any normal sense; you stay on Kastellorizo.
Why the population confusion happens and why you cannot land freely
The guide nuance: travel blogs conflate Megisti the municipality with Strongyli the islet. Megisti municipality includes Kastellorizo main island with about 500 residents plus Ro, Strongyli and other islets. Strongyli Megistis itself has 1 person on census, effectively zero, maintained by military watchmen and lighthouse keepers, no accommodation, no ferry, no beaches — flat macchia, rocky landing, Byzantine chapel ruins, seabirds.
Access is controlled military outpost. There is only lighthouse signalling passing vessels. You reach Kastellorizo via Rhodes, then local boat may circle Strongyli if permitted. Other islands named Strongyli exist — Crete 0.151 km2, Kasou, Kritinias — but Megisti qualifier is the easternmost one at 0.9 km2. Name Strogili means rounded.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strongyli_Megistis | covers area about 0.9 rather flat covered macchia easternmost Greek territory part Municipality Megisti 2021 census 1 inhabitant lighthouse easternmost building Greece cargo aerial cableway army Surveillance Outpost
- https://iiab.me/strongyli-megistis | covers area about 0.9 square kilometres 0.3 sq mi rather flat covered macchia islet has no permanent residents
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kastellorizo | official name Megisti means biggest greatest but only 11.98 km2 smallest Dodecanese
- https://www.meforum.org/kastellorizo-mediterranean-flashpoint | far-flung easternmost island Greece 80 miles Rhodes 170 miles west Cyprus just 1 mile off coast Turkey tiny comprising 5 square miles plus yet smaller uninhabited islands barely 500 people
- https://greece.org/strogili | only lighthouse signalling passing vessels two watchmen staff lighthouse Strogyli means rounded
Back to all Greek islands
The Greek Island Directory is a project of passion where a love of Crete, Data Integrity and Directories converge to create something truly special for users: Learn More.
Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by admin