Kalymnos is one of the Dodecanese Greek islands, about 100km north-west of Rhodes and near the Turkish coast.

Kalymnos is located in the southeastern region of Greece, near the beautiful Aegean Sea. It belongs to the Dodecanese Island group.

Kalymnos is a peaceful island. Most travels are to fly to Kos and from there you go by boat to the port of Pothia, the capital of the island Kalymnos. A beautiful arrival!

The island is famous for its sponge fishing. Traditional sea divers from the island went even to the North African coast for months later to return with their sponges. These sponges are still everywhere on the island for sale.

Kalymnos holidays are for those who like to go off the beaten track. Kalymnos beaches are pretty indifferent but the main Kalymnos holiday centre is on the west coast opposite the islet of Telendos. The rock cliffs of Kalymnos are a magnet for serious climbers and the interior is criss-crossed with mule trails which attract many walkers. Kalymnos is a rocky island. Many climbers make grateful use of this. The island has two fertile valleys, where you can find lemons and mandarins. In stalls along the road inhabitants are selling homemade honey.

The castle of Chora is a visit worth and the island has many nice villages. Just past the village Emborios, in north-west, you’ll find a beautiful beach overlooking the bay. It feels like you are at the end of the world here. Listen to the murmur of the sea and the goats in the hills behind you. Holidaytime!

The best best places to stay are Massouri and Myrties, both on the west side of Kalymnos. You have a beautiful view of the sunset behind the neighboring island Telendos.

Kalymnos’ small neighboring island, Telendos, was once part of Kalymnos, but a major earthquake in 554 AD split the two, and they are now separated by a strip of water. In the village Myrties you can take every half hour the boat to Telendos. It’s a short trip and it costs only a few euro’s. The island is located a few hundred meters from Kalymnos. And here you will discover absolute peace. The boat arrives at a small road with a couple of nice tavernas. In this small villige you’ll find the only inhabitants of this tiny island. There are many beaches and you can go for a nice walk. If you are Telendos should you decide to eat at Rita’s Restaurant. She and her husband Jannis run this taverna and can tell you everything about the living on this island. In the next tavern of Georgios you can often listen to live Greek music by musicians of Telendos and Kalymnos. An absolute must!

Pothia is Kalymnos’ capital and features the Italianate Architecture, which is a silver domed cathedral dedicated to Jesus.

The Churches of Aghios nikolaos and Aghios Stefanos, as well as the Monastery of St. Savas, sit perched on a hill overlooking the town below. Pothia’s main population lives in town during the winter, and moves to various holiday resorts on the island during the summer.

The most popular tourist attraction is Massouri, which holds many hotels and lively night life.

Pserimos, a small island very near Pothia offers serenity and beautiful beaches. Kalymnos is world renowned for its limestone cliffs and many caves, offering a wonderful destination for rock climbers.

Beautiful brightly colored houses are built surrounding the port and arranged on hillsides down to the fishing boats below.

Quiet villages abound on Kalymnos, such as Vathi, which is set in a valley filled with citrus trees, and Emborios on the north side of the island. On a small road to Panormos, you can see the remains of a three aisled basilica that was dedicated to Christ of Jerusalem, and was erected in the 6th century, on the site of an ancient temple that was the worshipping place for Delian Apollo.

In Pera Kastro, called the Castle of the Golden Hands, you can view the chapel which holds an icon of the Virgin, whose hands are covered with gold leaves.

There are also many caves to be discovered on Kalymnos. Skalies is a cave on the north side of Kalymnos, where visitors are not allowed, however, by boat you can reach Trypas, on the south side of the island, and visitors are allowed here.
Therma contains therapeutic springs and bathing houses and offers trained personnel for assistance into the springs.

There are also beautiful beaches to be visited on Kalymnos, such as Massouri, Mirties, and Vlyhadia.