Dodecanese - Kalymnos Kalymnos Dodecanese - Kalymnos Dodecanese - Kalymnos

The Aegean Islands

Kalymnos

Welcome to
Kalymnos

If one wants to talk about Kalymnos and be honest, should first get to know its sea and love it, because, as long as there is sea, we can talk about Kalymnos and its people. We can talk about a special kind of people who are passionately attached to a dry rock in the Aegean; because this is where their last and most desirable port exists. According to Herodotus, the first residents of Kalynda (this was the name of Kalymnos in the 4th century) were Dorians coming from Epidaurus. As soon as they set foot on this dry, rocky island they couldn’t find any recourse apart from the sea. The conservative and immovable spirit of Dorians stopped being attached to the land, became restless and bold, adventurous and insatiable. What was Kalynmos? An important mark in the Aegean, as it was the place where their family lived and it was them who had to feed this family. No matter how many years passed, no matter how many changes people of Kalymnos have seen, their truth is exactly the same and their life is uniquely attached to the sea, as well as to danger. Sponge divers, fishermen, adventurous, resourceful, cunning, conscientious, hospitable people…these are some descriptions concerning people who made this island famous all over the world.

Nowadays, Kalymnos, natural and simple as always, is proud not only for the authenticity of its character, but also for its own rocks. Some of the most beautiful rock climbing routes in Europe can be found on this island and the name of Kalymnos has again become known all over the world. It’s time you got to know it closely…isn’t it?

Click on each island to explore it

Pserimos

Visitors of Kalymnos and Kos can easily reach a hidden paradise every summer. Arriving at Pserimos you will find Avlakia, the only village on the island, which is supposed to be built on the site of an ancient settlement. Even today, remnants of ancient dwellings can be seen, and parts of pottery dating back to…
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Folegandros

Folegandros

Until the mid 1980s Folegandros belonged to the so-called barren line. Then it was included in the regular itineraries of Piraeus and started being discovered by West Europeans and Greek holidaymakers. The island is the ideal destination for mild/ alternative forms of tourism, a fact that is closely associated with its long tradition in self-sufficiency.…
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Tinos

Tinos is known all over Greece, as well as abroad, thanks to the rich pilgrimage of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. However, this island, with its extensive and rich history in the art of marble sculpture, possesses many unique features: its villages, real masterpieces of architecture, the …otherworldly landscape of Volax with the round…
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Syros island, Cyclades

Syros

Glamorous, crowded, beautiful, is very impressive from the first moment with its two states, Ermoupoli and Ano Syros, built amphitheatrically on their hills. Vaporia with the imposing mansions which gaze at the sea, Agios Nikolaos, the renonwed Apollon theatre and the Town Hall with its square, San Tzortzis of Ano Syros, Fragosyriani of Markos Vamvakaris,…
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Sikinos Harbour at night

Sikinos

Authentically Aegean, exceptionally quiet, without fanfare and away from dazzling lights, Sikinos is anti-conformist and carefree. It is addressed to people who want to experience the holidays as an actual break from the workload and the hectic pace of the city. Chora, on the edge of the winds and under the roof of Pantanassa, Alopronia…
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Schinousa

Schinoussa

This island is just a stride, where you can reach each accessible place after a few hours walk. Schinoussa addresses those who dream of peaceful vacations far away from the noise of the major tourist destinations of the Cyclades. Taste fava beans, local goat, string beans and fresh fish. Swim in Psili Ammos, Tsigouri and…
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Church of Panagia Chryssopigi in Sifnos

Sifnos

First and last image: Ochre and white. Kamares rest on the foot of Agios Symeon and it is reflected on the waters of Agia Marina. The next image will be given by the route towards Apollonia and the villages around it that are tied with dozens of stone walls, which are called “louria” (straps) by…
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Serifos island

Serifos

The first view offered to the visitor of Serifos is the infertile slopes with the “petrified figures” which bring to mind the myth of Perseus. Then, the ship turns to the port and the visitor views Livadi and Chora dominating with its cube-shaped, white-washed houses hooked on the conical rock, looking just like frozen white…
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Santorini island, Cyclades

Santorini

Santorini is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece that has gained international recognition while being the most beautiful and romantic place to visit. What Santorini brings to every visitor’s mind is the myth of the lost city of Atlantis, the Volcanoes [Palea (“Old”) and Nea (“New”) Kammeni], the famous Caldera and the…
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Rineia or Rhenea . Cyclades

Rinia

Rineia seems to be connected to Mykonos and Delos with invisible chains for centuries. Besides, according to Thucydides, when Polycrates –the tyrant of Samos– was dominating with his fleet in the Aegean, he occupied Rineia and he dedicated it to Apollo of Delos chaining it to Delos… Those who own a private yacht will find…
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Polyaigos

Polyaigos

Polyaigos (Polivos) is an exotic paradise. The colours, the feeling it offers and the images that will stay in your memory forever cannot be easily described in words! One dip in the turquoise waters with the seabed of the bright white sand and you will feel as if you were reborn. This wondrous microcosm waits…
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Naoussa, Paros island

Paros

Call it cosmopolitan and you will be right. Call it famous in the Aegean, “birthplace” of water sports, gathering place for the young, favourite place of poet Seferis, and you will be right once again. Paros ignites people’s imagination since the pre-Historic times. Due to its abundant marble of high quality, it inspires artists. Due…
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Naxos island. Cyclades.

Naxos

Naxos: a small, independent world, right in the middle of Cyclades, at the heart of historical development, fertile, rich in history, abundant in ancient, Byzantine and Venetian monuments, full of customs, music and festivals organized all year long. A hospitable place welcomes you with plenty of frangrances and flavors of cheece, wine and vegetable varieties…
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Milos

Milos

A woman of dazzling beauty, like the statue of Aphrodite which made the island famous all over the world: this is how Milos looks like if you circumnavigate it. White, green, pink, red, yellow colours inedibly paint the slopes and the volcanic rocks with the amazing forms and shapes. Turquoise and green-azure waters, caves, rocky…
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Mikri Venetia, Mykonos island

Mykonos

Since the ‘60s Mykonos has been a symbol of cosmopolitan and luxurious vacations and it is one of the most world-renowned Greek travel destinations. It is also famous for being a gay friendly destination. Hundreds of celebrities, members of the international jet set, artists, intellectuals, tycoons, ship owners and politicians have all strolled through the…
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Makronisos

Makronisos

The dark historic memories cast their shadow on that almost uninhabited islet, only 2.5nm away from Lavrio. The memories are even harder for the thousands of Greeks, who had a relative that survived or died in the “disciplinary” hellholes. From 1912 to 1952, Makronisos operated first as a concentration camp, then as a quarantine for…
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Kea-Tzia

Kea-Tzia

There are destinations which attract your whole attention you right from the beginning, like a strong cocktail that burns the throat while there are those that capture you little by little, with a kind and calm manner that sooths the soul. Kea belongs to the second category. It gently calls the visitor to share its…
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Koufonisia

Koufonisia

Since the 1990s, Koufonissia have been the ultimate alternative holiday destination of Cyclades. Before that no tourists used to visit these islands, which is the main reason why their natural beauty is unaltered, with their beaches remaining unchanged, their caves unearthed and their mainland remaining virgin. Keros – the bulwark of protocycladic art – as…
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Kythnos. Kolona. Cyclades

Kythnos

Despite the fact that Kythnos is very close to Attica, it has managed to maintain the traits of an Aegean island. First of all, there are two small towns on the island, Chora and Dryopida, that look completely different from one another, yet both of them have simple and good-hearted people. Secondly, the island’s coastline…
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Kimolos_Psassa beach

Kimolos

Venetians and Francs called it ‘Arzantiera’, meaning Silvery, for the gray-white rocks that welcome you emerging from a shiny and crystal clear sea, as you reach the port of Psathi. Some wanderers believed that the name was given after the ancient silver quarries, which have not been found up to the present day. The inhabitants…
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Keros

Keros

Keros is a semi-mountainous, steep island extending over a surface of 15km2 only 1,5NM northeast of Pano Koufonisi. Its highest peak is Mount Papa (at 432m). The coastline of Keros is 27km long and it is not very fragmented. Hence, there are only a few natural harbors and coves on the southern and northeastern side…
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Ios Chora

Ios

Ios is a beautiful multifold island. An island well-known in places such as Australia, Italia, Austria, America, England, France, Sweden, Germany for the nightlife which the visitors enjoy but it is also filled with traces of its long history. With golden sandy beaches and crowded or more deserted and peaceful beaches. With its Cycladic and…
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Thirasia

Thirasia

Thirasia belongs to Santorini volcanic complex, along with Thira, Aspronisi, Nea Kameni (volcano). Your first view over the island is on the small boats that organize trips ending at Korfo, the small port of Thirasia with the excellent fish taverns. It is only a few kilometers away from the busy villages of Kaldera, Thira, though…
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Iraklia

Iraklia

The pristine natural landscapes, the very few cars, the idyllic beaches where you can spend hours swimming and the peaceful and hospitable people are only some of Irakleia’s qualities. Take a walk through the alleys of Panagia, swim under the imposing rocks of Merihas, gaze upon the landscape from the top of Mountain Papas, explore…
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Donousa

Donousa

Windswept Donoussa stands in the northeastern extremity of the Cyclades. It is a majestic place for those who seek alternative, or just tranquil holidays away from the urban/consumer morals. Go up the alleys of Stavros. Quench your thirst with the unforgettable water in Mersini. Discover the shipwreck of World War II in Kedros. See the…
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The historical acropolis of Delos and old ruin site

Dilos

Delos is known worldwide as one of the most important and impressive archaeological sites of Greece. The entire island is an archaeological site and has been included on the World Heritage Sites list of UNESCO since 1990. Moreover, it has been an important natural botanical museum with a wide variety of plants for thousands of…
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The island of Gyaros

Gyaros

Ferries traveling to Cycladic tourist destinations usually pass by Gyaros. However, this arid and treeless islet east of Kea and north of Syros is of great historical significance. It was once a place of exile, imprisonment and torture for thousands of Greek communists. Over 22,000 political prisoners were sent to this islet in the second…
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Antiparos

Antiparos

Antiparos is an island waiting to be discovered outside the usual routes of those who enjoy the island hopping in the Aegean. Over the last years many Greeks and foreigners have explored it and some of them have even built their villas here. Others hang around in their yachts and sailboats along its magical coasts…
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Andros island

Andros

Seafaring lifestyle, natural and material wealth, abundant water resources, Andros Chora with unique architecture and history, museums that attract summer visitors, exquisite sandy beaches, magnificent villages hidden amid the lush vegetation, monasteries with long history, castles, dovecotes, windmills and watermills. The second biggest Cycladic island after Naxos extends over a surface of 374km2 and it…
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Anafi island

Anafi

Anafi is a well hidden secret in the southernmost edges of the Cyclades, 12 n.m. from renowned Santorini. Its geographical position and its difficult, up to now, coastal access, did not allow the island to develop touristically as other islands of the Aegean did. Thus, from the moment the legendary Argonauts discovered it up until…
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Amorgos

Amorgos

One of the most beautiful destinations in the Cyclades. In many areas it seems still untouched by the tourist development. The special energy that Amorgos gives out, its unique nature, the contemplation from high above, the old paths which bring out the pleasant herb odour, the lovely deep blue color of its waters, make visitors…
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Halki island, Dodecanese

Halki

Imagine an island, very close to cosmopolitan Rhodes, but completely different. Imagine that you can walk the entire island in 4 hours! With castles, ancient ruins, country churches and windmills. With beaches without water sports, and roads without cars. With a Chora of incomparable aesthetics. Imagine an island destined for other biorhythms, for the coolest…
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Dodecanese - Tilos island

Tilos

Several castles, a ghost-village, a late-Byzantine monastery, a capital city built below the ancient acropolis, paved paths surrounded by aromatic shrubs and beaches with colors of all hues between blue and green; these are definitely but few advantages for such a small island. Tilos inspired M. Karagatsis, it was the country of the ancient poet…
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Dodecanese - Telendos

Telendos

A sea channel like this is the best inspiration for fables through the centuries. The legend speaks about the beautiful “Potha”, daughter of the king of “Telendos”, who fell in love with the prince of Kasteli right accross. Kalymnian divers talk about an entire sunken city that remains undiscovered. Telendos resembles a rock in the…
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Port of Symi. Dodecanese

Symi

The atmosphere of this special island state charms from the very first moment: a historical preservable settlement unique in size and elegance that reminds us of the bloom it experienced in the 19th century when it had 25.000 residents. The “humanlike” mansions with their doors-mouths and windows-eyes are all located overlooking the sea, with daring…
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Dodecanese - Saria

Saria

The small island of Saria offers unparallel pictures and landscapes that spark the imagination. Would you like to visit the Doric Nisyros (one of the four cities in Karpathos) or see how Saracen pirates turned the ancient palaces into small arched houses? Would you pull down the church of Agia Sofia to discover new parts…
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Rhodes

Rhodes, the Island of the Knights, as it is called, has much to offer to its visitors and it is hardly surprising that its economy relies to a great extent on tourism, since it is a timeless destination. The Rodini park, the ancient Kamiros and the ancient Ialyssos, the Valley of the Butterflies and the…
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Patmos. Dodecanese islands.

Patmos

The sacred island of Patmos is also known as the island of the Apocalypse and Jerusalem of the Aegean. A powerful, formidable energy runs through the alleys and gets mixed up with the fragrance of the pine trees and the warm and cold currents that caress you during your tour around the island. A tour…
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Monastery of Panagia Spiliani, Nisyros

Nisyros

Provided with full information about the volcano of Nisyros, the youngest of the volcanic centers of Greece, you wander dazzled by the special aura of this small island. Panagia Spiliani and the Venetian walls, Mandraki, Emporios and Nikia, the thermal springs and the impressive buildings of the baths, the black chochlaki and the «vastadia» become…
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Dodecanese - Leipsoi

Leipsoi

On the one hand, the nature, the deep blue sea, the indented coastlines, the low altitudes – on the other hand, the humble human presence, the terraces, the olive groves, the chapels, the vineyards well-known for their wine and a whole settlement above the harbor. This is Leipsoi, a dot in the vast Southeastern Aegean,…
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Leros, Dodecanese island

Leros

In the ancient Greek language, “Leros” means mild, gentle. In fact, it seems that this description about this island is still true, as it has a gentle development of tourism, smooth rocks, fertile valleys and enclosed coves. The shape of the island reminds us of an ideogram. Moreover, on this island you can find a…
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Kos island. Dodecanese

Kos

The fact that Kos is among the first ranks of the most popular Greek vacation destinations is not a matter of chance. Its antiquities, its monuments from the early Christian times and its medieval castles alone are enough to place the island among the top spots of that list. But the Asclepeion, the Nerantzia Castle…
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Dodecanese - Kastellorizo

Kastellorizo

The island of only 9 sq. km is a sea junction between Europe and Asia, on the edge of the Aegean. One and only, wonderful settlement, which impresses with its colorful houses of excellent architecture and its churches, is built upon the arid rock. Similar admiration is caused by the Blue Cave, one of the…
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Karpathos island. Dodecanese

Karpathos

If you set out for Karpathos it means you have already made up your mind. You don’t accidentally hop on a boat and get off when you reach Pigadia, neither do you get on a plane and fool around until you land on the Afiartis runway. You have made your decision from the start and…
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Kasos island. Dodecanese.

Kasos

A key expression in Kasos is “na s’evro” (to meet you). If you know how to use it, you can open any door in Kasos. It can be a greeting welcoming you to the island, but it could also open the gates of paradise. But what else is Kasos, apart from a lonely, bushy rock…
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Dodecanese - Kalymnos

Kalymnos

If one wants to talk about Kalymnos and be honest, should first get to know its sea and love it, because, as long as there is sea, we can talk about Kalymnos and its people. We can talk about a special kind of people who are passionately attached to a dry rock in the Aegean;…
Explore
Astypalea. Dodecanese islands

Astypalea

What is a …Cyclades island doing in the Dodecanese? Or, better yet, what is a …Dodecanese island doing in the Cyclades? Well, one way or another, this is the physiognomy of Astypalaia. An island on the “borderline”. A cultural bridge between the two large island groups. An island located between Amorgos and Kos that never…
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Agathonisi island. Dodecanese

Agathonisi

This island is a little hidden paradise. Traditional way of life and authentic island hospitality in a landscape with minimal human intervention – that is what is offered for carefree and completely anti-conformist holidays.
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Arkioi island, Dodecanese

Arki

Arkoi is the largest of a cluster of small islands and islets located on the northern side of the Dodecanese. Arkioi (ancient Arkitis) is a rocky island with little water in its soil and relatively little vegetation. The island is tiny, the houses few.
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DODECANESE-KALYMNOS ©CLAIRY MOUSTAFELLOU Pserimos isl. Port beach

Beaches

BEACHES

Kalymnos - Wreck findings in Valsamidis Sea World Museum

Wreck findings in Valsamidis Sea World Museum

CULTURE MUSEUM

Kalymnos - Climbing

Climbing

ACTIVITIES CLIMBING

Kalymnos - Naval museum

Naval museum

CULTURE MUSEUM

DODECANESE-KALYMNOS ©CLAIRY MOUSTAFELLOU Castro Chrisomeri as.

The castle of Hrysoheria

CASTLES-TOWERS SIGHTS

DODECANESE-KALYMNOS ©CLAIRY MOUSTAFELLOU Pothia

Κalymnos (or Pothia)

CHORA SIGHTS

Kalymnos - Diving

Diving

ACTIVITIES DIVING

DODECANESE-KALYMNOS
©CLAIRY MOUSTAFELLOU
Pothia ,sea sponges

Sponge diving in Kalymnos

PROJECTS OF THE PEOPLE SIGHTS

Kalymnos - The castle of Pothia

The castle of Pothia

CASTLES-TOWERS SIGHTS

Kalymnos - Archaeological museum

Archaeological museum

CULTURE MUSEUM

Kalymnos - Vathis

Vathis

SETTLEMENTS SIGHTS

DODECANESE-KALYMNOS ©CLAIRY MOUSTAFELLOU Castelli , Panagia church

Churches

CHURCHES CULTURE

Image Coming Soon
IMAGE COMING SOON

Architecture

ARCHITECTURE CULTURE

More Info

In Kalymnos, you should definitely buy some sponges from the processing workshops. Moreover, “panes”, i.e. the Kalymnian wovens, are quite famous. As far as the regional specialities are concerned, we suggest you try the traditional bread named “Eptazimo”, as well as corn bread, citrus fruits, vegetables, wine and honey.

Local dishes

You should taste the stuffed lamb “mououri”, which is cooked in a big tall clay pot, so as the whole lamb will fit. It is baked from the previous day and it slowly roasts at 100-120 degrees Celsius until the next day, i.e. during at least 24-26 hours, into an oven with a door that is built with mud. It is said that this way of cooking was adopted during the Ottoman occupation in Greece, when Turks and pirates used to swoop on the island. With this way of cooking, there was no smoke or smell and no one could know that people were cooking lamb in order to celebrate Easter. You should also taste the “kapetanato” (pork cooked in the Dutch oven with potatoes), the “eptazimo” (bread with anise and ouzo), the famous “filla” (dolma), the “mirmizeli” (barley bread with oil, tomato and cheese), the “anama” (wine), the grilled octopus, fish and definitely the “spinialo” (seafood with lemon).

As far as sweets are concerned, there is the traditional sweet called “galaktompoureko”.

In Kalymnos there is an airport.

Additionaly, in order to get to the island, you can travel by ship. The ship departs from Piraeus and you will be traveling at least for 12 hours. If you are lucky, when returning, you will be traveling for at least 9 hours. In summer, there are 1-2 ships that travel to and from the island on a daily basis.

Another way to get to the island is to fly to Leros or Kos and, then, travel to Kalymnos by hydrofoil. The transportation (by ship and high-speed craft) to other islands of the Dodecanese is more frequent.

Airport of Kalymnos

+30 22430 59370

City Hall of Kalymnos

+30 22430 59141

Police

+30 22430 29301

Port Authority

+30 22430 24444

Hospital

+30 22430 22166, 23025, 50499

USEFUL LINKS

www.kalymnos.gov.gr