How to Get There
The ships of the main ferry line of the Dodecanese connect the major port of Piraeus with Arki via Patmos. In the summer, there is also a daily connection to Patmos via the local Nisos Kalymnos ferry run by the Kalymnos Nautical Company Limited (ANEK Kalymnos), which connects the islands of Kalymnos, Leros, Lipsi, Agathonisi, Arki, and Samos. Between these two lines, there is an almost daily connection with Arki in the summer.
Patmos is 163 nautical miles from Piraeus; the trip usually takes 9 hours. Arki is only 12 nautical miles from Patmos, a distance covered in 20 to 50 minutes, depending on the ship. The Dodekanisos Seaways speed boats (which do not transport cars) also connect Arki with Patmos daily during the summer.
In addition to the ferry boats and speed boats, tourist boats take visitors on day trips from Arki to Patmos and Lipsi. There are also small boats that take tourists to the beaches of Arki (especially Tiganakia]Tiganakia) and the picturesque cosmopolitan islet of Marathi across from Arki.
For more information about routes, schedules, and reservations, visit www.digitickets.gr.
NOTE: The ferry routes for each season are usually finalized shortly before Easter or in May.
Useful Information
1. Arki is not an independent municipality or community; it is part of the Municipality of Patmos.
2. The island has very few accommodations (basically rooms for rent), so it is a good idea to reserve early, especially for a visit in July or August.
3. Arki offers very good dining options, with restaurants developed mainly because boats bring them customers, including daily excursioners from Patmos, Lipsi, etc. The port has three restaurants that offer good traditional cuisine, including seafood and grilled meat.
4. The road network is 4 kilometers long. Approximately 3 kilometers are paved, with 1 kilometer a dirt road. You do not really need your own vehicle there, because walking and Mr. Michalis’s boat at the port will take you wherever you want to go!
5. There is no pharmacy or community clinic on the island.
6. There is no permanent Port Station, but there is a Coast Guard.
7. There is no gas station.
8. There is no bakery.
9. For walkers, there is a basic 3,100-meter path that leads to the ruined pre-war Italian Observatory.
10. As of 2019, there was an Elementary School with one student and one teacher. Unfortunately, unless something changes, as soon as the child graduates from elementary school, the school will have to close.
