Kalymnos

Kalymnos (Κάλυμνος) is a mountainous, rocky island in the Dodecanese, just north of Kos. For centuries its people lived from sponge diving, and the island was long known as the sponge divers’ island. Today its limestone cliffs have also made it one of Europe’s leading rock-climbing destinations.

The port town of Pothia spreads its colourful houses up the slopes around the harbour. Sponge workshops still process the catch. The Archaeological Museum displays the Lady of Kalymnos, a Hellenistic bronze statue that fishermen recovered from the sea. Above the old capital Chorio stands the fortified Pera Kastro. On the west coast, Massouri and Myrties are the centre of climbing, with thousands of routes and the famous cave of Grande Grotta. Their beaches face the islet of Telendos, which by tradition was split from Kalymnos by an earthquake. In the east the narrow inlet of Vathy opens into a fertile valley of citrus groves. Kantouni and Linaria are popular beaches. Show more

Diving and hiking on old paths are popular too. Mermizeli, a salad of barley rusks and local cheese, is a local favourite. Kalymnos is reached by ferry, often via Kos, and has a small airport.