Kalymnos, an island in the Dodecanese archipelago in the Aegean Sea, is famous for its traditional sponge fishing. But its mountainous terrain has also made it a paradise for climbers from all over the world. Are you in the mood for a relaxing vacation, but also foradventure and outdoor sports this year? Come to Kalymnos: beaches, coves, boating, diving, climbing, hiking, fishing, it’s all here! And your taste buds won’t be left out either: discover our nuggets among the island’s fabulous taverns. How to get there and where to stay? We reveal everything!
A tradition of natural sponge fishing since ancient times
Kalymnos is world-renowned for its tradition of natural sponge fishing, which dates back to ancient times. Homer’s tales already evoked the sea flowers used by Penelope to enhance her dishes. In fact, the history of this demanding fishery, which men often risked their lives to carry out, is preserved in the Kalymnos Maritime Museum. Don’t hesitate to visit it, located in the heart of the port of the main town of Pothia. You’ll discover vintage diving suits, shipwrecks, artifacts and nautical charts. It’s a little kitsch, very seductive!
This fishing tradition remains deeply rooted in the island’s identity. As soon as you arrive at the port of Pothia, you’ll be greeted by wooden stalls of natural sponges of all shapes and sizes. You’ve reached theisland of sponges! But the sponges on offer are no longer from Kalymnos…
But to cope with the decline of the sponge industry, the people of Kalymnos are banking on the potential of the island’s rugged terrain, with high limestone cliffs to the north and east. As a result, retailers are stocking up on useful equipment and maps for thrill-seeking sports travelers. A new type of tourism is on the horizon.
An island with a unique relief that attracts climbers and hikers from all over the world
Majestic limestone mountains, thousand-year-old caves, lush green valleys and secluded coves. Kalymnos is an ideal playground for hikers and outdoor sports enthusiasts! We also recommend that you purchase SKAI MAPS map no. 337, 1:25000, on site. It’s a card packed with details, for a modest €4.90.
The village of Massouri in the east, the most touristic part of the island, is the starting point for the majority of climbing routes, with the highest point at 680m. With over 2,000 routes of all levels of difficulty, Kalymnos is a veritable paradise for enthusiasts, who come together from April until the end of November.
Such was its success that the International Kalymnos Climbing Festival was created in 2006 with the support of the Greek Tourist Board. Every year in October, this competition brings together some 300 international participants.
Why not try this unique experience?
- To get you started on this new adventure, we recommend this initiation course : Simon Montmory’s introductory climbing course lasts 4 hours.
- For the more experienced: multi-pitch climbing course, climb an extreme route of 150-250m with an experienced climber!
Hiking in Kalymnos, an encounter with splendid nature
Do you prefer hiking? Climb to the top of Mount Profitis Ilias for a panoramic view of the surrounding islands. Absolutely magical! In fact, the island is home to numerous hiking trails that wind their way through grandiose landscapes. Great family outings ahead! Kalymnian pharmacists also offer unusual botanical discovery tours!
During the hottest hours of the day, visit the island’s many natural caves, which, according to Homer, were once home to Ulysses’ mermaids! The Seven Virgins or Skalion caves, for example. Don’t miss the Kefala cave, with its enormous stalactites and stalagmites along a 100-metre-long corridor past the Monastery of St. Catherine. After the cool of the caves, head for the beach!
Water activities: beaches, diving, sailing, fishing
When it’s time to relax, in the morning or late afternoon, the beaches of Kalymnos won’t disappoint, and there’s something for everyone!
- Kantouni beach is popular with families, offering calm, shallow waters.
- Massouri and Platy-gallos are beautiful sandy beaches.
- If you’re looking for a quieter beach, head for Emporios, a pebble beach surrounded by rocky cliffs.
Untouched by mass tourism, Kalymnos offers a host of secluded coves and inlets all over the island.
Water sports are not to be outdone. Scuba diving is a favorite activity for many travelers in search of colorful reefs and rich seabeds. They’ll discover impressive cavities, the remains of ships, and maybe even a few sponges! Kalymnos has two diving schools to accompany you.
On the surface, windsurfing, hulls with or without skipper, fishing aboard small local boats, caiques to reach neighbouring islets such as Telendos every 30 minutes, or sailboats or yachts to explore the archipelago! We recommend an authentic Captain Adonis experience!
Getting to and staying on the island: our advice!
Getting to Kalymnos from abroad
The best way to get to Kalymnos from abroad is by plane, which will take you to theinternational airport of Kos, the neighboring island. We recommend the flight comparison service Aegean airline which has the advantage of real customer service, in French. From the airport, it takes just 10 minutes by cab or bus to reach the coast and a 20-minute crossing by boat to reach Kalymnos.
From Athens
You can choose between a domestic flight from Athens airport to Kalymnos aerodrome (Aegean Airlines). Or opt for a 5 to 6 hour ferry crossing, the timetable for which can be found on the website Ferry Hopper
Where to sleep on Kalymnos?
Tourist accommodation has developed considerably on the island:
- We recommend the web site Booking: From hotels with breakfast to villas with sea views, there’s something to suit every taste and budget!
The best restaurants: the word of a Kalymniote!
As you explore the island, you’ll discover many excellent restaurants. But here we’ve chosen to present only the nuggets! Ultra-fresh produce cooked by local families to delight the taste buds of locals and … your own! Try the Kalymnos salad.
In Pothia
In Pothia, don’t miss the Uzeri, to steki ton naftikon, the sailors’ headquarters. This is where the locals have their lunch, and it’s still not very popular with tourists. It’s a family-run tavern where the produce is freshly prepared. The squid is exceptional! In summer, tables on the marina side allow you to dine facing the sea and the sailboats. Unforgettable!
The best souvlaki (skewered meat in a pita with sauce) can be found in a discreet little passageway, the Souvlaki bar, a small family-run business where everything is homemade. The burgers and fries are also fabulous. Perfectly cooked for tender, moist meat. A delightful treat…
A Massouri-Armeos
If you’re in the Massouri-Armeos tourist area, don’t miss the restaurant Avra, its terrace and view are magnificent! Then enjoy a drink on the panoramic terrace of the Ambiance bar at sunset. Finally, round off your evening at Club Loca, Massouri’s famous nightclub, if you feel like it! In the evening, the whole harbor is bathed in night lights, and the atmosphere is lively.
Little bonus: for vegetarians, try an Italian ice cream or the home-made dishes at Nikoletta and Daniel, Italians turned true locals.
To Melitsacha
In Melitsacha, treat yourself to the Yannis Tavern at the end of a small road that few tourists venture down. Traditional Greek home cooking is served on the heights of Melitsacha beach. An idyllic setting!
Above the small port of Melitsacha, the restaurant Fountagio is open all year round and is typically Kalymnian. Locals regularly meet there to play cards. The Greek way of life. And don’t hesitate to ask the locals for recommendations to discover a thousand more delicious restaurants!
So, whether you’re a nature lover, a rock climber, an adventurer, a seafarer or just looking for some peace and quiet, the island of Kalymnos promises you an unusual and unforgettable vacation! Would you like to find out more about this climbers’ paradise, discover the must-sees for the whole family, or learn more about its history at the crossroads of many cultures? We look forward to hearing from you! And take a look at our other article on Kalymnos.
And finally, our “more or less“ on Kalymnos, in all subjectivity!
| OUR FAVORITES | TO AVOID |
|---|---|
| Port of Vathi and its cove with Akti | Western coastline ”too concreted in” |
| The northern tip between land and mountains | |
| Thyme honey | Florida sponges |
Article written by Ingrid
