Katavia is a beautiful inland village of farmers, situated at the southern end of the island, some 83 kilometers far from the town of Rhodes at the Southwest. The village is located in the center of a very fertile plain and it is the main provider of the island in agricultural products. It counts some 500 permanent residents.

Accommodation is few in the village and usually there is no possibility to find lodging, as rooms are almost always booked by the windsurfers, who train themselves at the nearby beach of Prassonissi. The village offers good food and nice atmosphere in the traditional taverns, which are specialized in dishes of the local kitchen, accompanied with gorgeous local wines. If you just pass by, it is worth staying for a while to have a coffee in one of the traditional cafés, among the old men of the village, who will fill you with calmness, as they lead their life in so wise a way, far from the anxiety of the life in town.

Once in the village, it is worth strolling around to see the traditional buildings and the narrow streets and pay attention to the features of the local, traditional architecture, so well preserved in this village.

It is also worth seeing several churches, as the church of Aghia Paraskevi, dated in the 19th century, with characteristic features of the architecture of the Dodecanese and a nice wood carved icon screen. The church dedicated to the Assumption of Virgin Mary (known as “Panaghia Katholiki”- “Virgin of the Catholics”), a building of the 10 th century, has several architectural parts of an older church embodied in the masonry.

Within the village or in short distance far from it, you may also visit the Holy Monasteries of Aghios Georgios (St. George) of the 17th century, of Aghios Menas, dated in the 19th century, of Prophet Elijah, also of the 19th century and of St. Paul and of Aghios Panteleimonas, constructed in the 20th century. Most of the monasteries occupy the place of older ones, Early Christian, Byzantine and Post- Byzantine. Finally, you will see the catholic church of St. Marc, constructed during the period of Italian domination.

Not only the buildings, but also the landscape is worth to enjoy. A series of low hills hide the village and the plain around it from the sea. The fans of walking have many alternatives for walking tours, following narrow paths and rural roads among the fields, which change colors following the succession of seasons. A really idyllic environment, ideal for taking photos.

And, if you add up to the serene and fascinating landscape the mild weather and the friendly residents, you will really realize that there are much more reasons to visit the place, than the good service, the nice sea and the bright sun; it is worth a visit, mainly for the harmony it implies, for the wise combination of history and tradition with the everyday life.

For swimming and windsurfing, the best choice is Prassonissi, at a distance of 9 kilometers southern to Kattavia, where you will arrive via a rather good dirt track. You may also go to the beach of Plimyri at the eastern coast.

The locals celebrate the name day of Aghia Parasevi and Aghios Panteleimonas with religious local feasts (“panighyri”), held of the 26th and 27th of July, respectively. Another panighyri takes place on the 15th of August, in honor of the Assumption of Virgin Mary.

In case of health problems a local Medical Center is available in the village.