"They say that a land shapes its people. Kalymnos is rock."

Kalymnos lies in the Dodecanese Islands of the south-east Aegean, just north of Kos.
It is about 5 by 10 miles (8 by 16km) in size, with a population of some 14,000.

Pothia, the buzzing main town, is in the south. Most tourist beaches, holiday apartments and hotels are on the west coast, facing the quiet mountain island of Telendos. The peaceful village of Emporios lies in the north and the fertile fiord-like agricultural valley of Vathi is in the south-east.

Flights go direct to Kalymnos from Athens and ferries sail from Piraeus, the port of Athens. Between May and October, charter flights from many European countries go to Kos, with frequent ferries to Kalymnos. There is plenty of accommodation, with many tavernas and cafes.

Some places of interest: Archaeological Museum - where the kouros is displayedSite of the Temple of ApolloThe Church of Panayeia, incorporating Temple of Apollo marblesThe Nautical Museum – tells the story of sponge divingThe Kalymnian House – social and domestic history and cultureSea World Museum at VlihadiaThe Monastery of St Savvas, the island’s patron saintArchaic remains and the church of Panayeia at Vathia Byzantine castle and other sitesthe Castle of the Knights of St JohnVarious caves

Events include music, song and dance, and popular activities are diving, trekking, swimming, fishing and boating. Rock climbing has become a major activity and climbers come from around the world to scale the limestone cliffs. Kalymnians are very welcoming and many speak English. There are large Kalymnian communities in Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA and Darwin, Australia.

Kalymnos History
Kalymnos Culture
Kalymnos official website