Halki is a small Dodecanese island with an enchanting landscape. An island defined by “Peace and Friendship” with only 500 permanent residents inhabiting it. The pace of life on the island can be seen as you approach the picturesque harbor, where fish boats decorate the pier and Greek taverns line up the horseshoe-shaped bay. The harbor is situated in the village of Emborios where streets are paved with stone and courtyards are full of pebbled mosaics. Strolling through the stone paths with rugged mountains as a backdrop will allow you to enjoy beautiful scenery, and enjoy more than just sand and beaches. The capital of Halki is Chorio which sits on a mountainside, there are approximately 360 chapels here with endless paths and trails that are ideal for hiking. You can also find the castle of the Knights of Saint John, which has striking views of the Aegean Sea. According to Greek mythology, Zeus watched the sunset on the same spot where the castle now stands. Many constructions around the island were built by the Titans and Pelasgians, mentioned in myths as the first settlers of the island. Just like Symi, Kalymnos, and Kastelorizo, Halki was once a self-sufficient island that accumulated its wealth from sponge diving. There are several mentions of where Halki actually took its name. The first claim is that it took its name after the copper “Chalko” which were mines that existed in ancient years. The second speculation is that it was originated from “Karki” which means shell in Phoenician, and lastly, it is believed to have simply taken its name from the color purple which is derived from the word “Halki” in Greek. There are no museums or any collections in Halki, but you can rent a boat and spend hours in the sun and beach of your choice.