Kalymnos

Kalymnos - a romantic island with a true Greek atmosphere boasts picturesque landscapes, sun-drenched beaches, clear seas and romantic sunsets.

Kalymnos is an island in the Aegean Sea, located between the islands of Kos (12 km south) and Leros and is the fourth largest island of the Dodecanese archipelago. Kalymnos also includes the smaller islands of Telendos, Pserimos, Kalolimnos, Plati.

This romantic island with a true Greek atmosphere boasts picturesque landscapes, sun-drenched beaches, clear seas, romantic sunsets, monuments of Mycenaean, Roman and Byzantine culture, small villages and the hospitality of the locals. The island is ideal not only for a quiet family holiday full of relaxation, but also for more active visitors.

Despite its small size (only 110 km2), the island is a very diverse and, above all, completely unspoilt island. While the west coast abounds with coves, beaches and villages, the eastern part seems deserted and uninhabited. It is all the more surprising that it is here that you will find the orange valley of Vathi, squeezed into the cliffs, called the green oasis of Kalymnos.

The coastline of Kalymnos is rugged with sheltered coves and crystal clear waters. The beaches here are never crowded. Among the most famous beaches are the small beach of Akti, Arginonta, the pebble beach of Palionissos and others.

The symbol of Kalymnos is the monastery of Agios Savas, which stands on a hill above the capital and is unmissable. The island also has a number of attractions that tell of an interesting past. There are remnants of ancient settlements and an archaeological museum in the capital, Pothia. You will encounter the tradition of collecting sea mushrooms, which were difficult to extract from the depths of the sea. We recommend a visit to the maritime museum, where you will find objects that divers and mushroom pickers need for their work, as well as many period photographs.

The island's new history began to be written by the exceptional conditions of the local mountain massif, which is punctuated by high walls and caves, making Kalymnos famous around the world as a centre for sport climbing. Several important climbing events have been held here. The island is also suitable for nature walks.

The famous resort is Panormos in a small bay on the west coast of the island. Panormos is the starting point for the surrounding resorts, beaches and historical sites. Here you will find everything that belongs to a summer holiday. There are plenty of tavernas, cafes and shops including a supermarket. For history lovers, there are also historical monuments waiting for you. The beautiful beaches of Katouni and Plati Gialos with their enchanting nature are located around Panormos.

The lively and touristic resort of Massouri in the west of Kalymnos is, together with the nearby town of Myrties, the most famous tourist area on the island. Massouri is located 9km from the main town of Pothia. The view of the massive rocks, pine hillsides and whitewashed houses built by the shore is best enjoyed from one of the local tavernas, which add good drinks and food with a touch of Greek tradition and hospitality. The beach in Massouri is very nice, sandy with a mixture of pebbles, so it is mainly for relaxed lounging and beach games. Of course, there is also a wide range of water sports on offer, especially diving, which has a rich tradition here. From Massouri it is possible to get a water taxi to the opposite islet of Telendos. On Telendos, the beautiful local promenade is definitely worth mentioning, you can visit the ruins of a church or the remains of a Byzantine settlement.

Basic information:

• Greek name: Kalymnos (Κάλυμνος)
• Capital: Pothia
• Island area: 109 km2
• Population: over 16 000