Kalymnos Things to Do

Having remained untouched by mass tourism, Kalymnos is a raw diamond with unspoiled beaches that never fail to fascinate visitors with their natural beauty. Fringed by crystalline turquoise or bright-blue waters, many are easily accessible and organized with umbrellas and sunbeds, while others are more secluded, offering a profoundly relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Thus, exploring the marvelous Kalymnian coastline easily ranks as one of the very best things to do during your holiday. Here are some of the best swimming spots you will find on the island:
• Surrounded by imposing hills, Arginonta is a sandy and pebbly beach with mesmerizing turquoise waters. As it is organized, it is the perfect place for a relaxing day on the beach; and if you stay till the late evening, you will be rewarded with some of the most glorious sunset views on the entire island.
• Massouri, one of the most popular resorts in Kalymnos, is another great choice, as it is a long sandy beach with stunning views of the nearby Telendos.
• For something completely different, head for the secluded Palionisos, where you can enjoy the sun and the sea far from the hustle and bustle. Stretching in the heart of a narrow inlet with inviting turquoise waters, this is a pebbly beach embraced by rugged hills, creating an idyllic setting.

Discover the beaches

Walking around the vibrant streets of Pothia is one of the best things to do to get a feeling of everyday life in Kalymnos. Enclosed by two imposing hills and a verdant valley, this settlement might not be as picturesque as other Aegean ports, but it is imbued with an unpretentious beauty that is just as captivating. Around its winding narrow alleys, you will have the chance to see beautiful neoclassical or Italian-style mansions, picturesque churches, and many of the island’s major historical landmarks. Adorned with amazing sculptures by Michael Kokkinos, the port is a great place for a stroll, especially at night, when many buildings are illuminated. A hike to the Monastery of Agios Savvas, with its serene atmosphere and amazing mountain views, is also a must. Scattered around the streets of Pothia, you will get to discover a plethora of shops, cafes and restaurants, where you can pause and fuel up after seeing the sights.

Explore Pothia Town

With its centuries-old maritime tradition, Kalymnos has learned to make the most of what the Aegean Sea bountifully offers, making it the ideal place to taste fresh fish and seafood cooked in a variety of ways. One of the best things to do during your stay is to embark on a unique gastronomic journey, sampling such delicacies as stuffed squid, sun-dried lobster tail, octopus croquettes, karkani (a salad with mayonnaise and ray meat) or spinialo, a delicious appetizer made with pen shells, sea urchins and stingrays. These recipes are complemented by the island’s top-quality products, which form the basis of yet more delectable dishes and can satisfy even the most demanding palate. Look out for mououri, a stuffed lamb dish cooked in a clay pot, mermizeli salad and the typical aromatic bread kneaded with anise.

One of the top places to go to for a succulent meal is the Aegean Tavern in Massouri, which serves traditional recipes with an ingenious modern twist. The Pantelis Fish Tavern in the heart of the Pothia seafront and Kalidonis, a great restaurant overlooking Palionissos Beach, are some more worth-exploring choices.

See the best restaurants

Looking for a place to stay in Kalymnos? The island offers fantastic options! These are our favorite hotels and accommodations on the island:
• Overlooking Melitsachas Beach and the charming islet of Telendos, Amphitrite Apartments consist of comfortable and tastefully decorated rooms that harmonize with the local architecture. It is perfect for both a romantic getaway and a relaxing family vacation.
• For greater luxury, head for the Carian, an upscale 4-star complex combining magical surroundings with a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool and a wellness center, where you can enjoy all kinds of rejuvenating body treatments
• A stone’s throw away from Arginonta Beach you will find Petra Boutique Homes, an elegant set of suites which incorporate materials like stone and wood with unparalleled attention to detail. Many rooms boast private outdoor swimming pool or jacuzzi, allowing you to relax while taking in the mind-blowing views.

The best hotels in Karpathos

Around Kalymnos, you will find several hidden gems imbued with the island’s distinctive flair. And since Kalymnos has long been known as the sponge divers’ island, it goes without saying that a great part of its cultural heritage is linked with sponge diving. Thus, one of the best things to do before leaving is to pay a visit to the last remaining sponge factory of Pothia and immerse yourself in the world of sponge diving, gaining a unique insight into the methods people used in order to gather and process sponges. Equally worth exploring is the Maritime Museum, where you can have a wonderfully informative tour, as well as the Valsamidis Sea World Museum, which not only exhibits impressive sponges, shells and corals but also recreates the wreck of an ancient Greek ship.

To learn more about the local lifestyle in the previous centuries, you can head for the Folklore Museum, a restored Kalymnian house whose owners will be more than happy to provide you with a wealth of interesting facts about Kalymnian culture. Other major points of interest include the two most well-preserved medieval castles: the Chryssocheria Castle, which was built by the Knights of Saint John, and the abandoned castle-town of Chora, the island’s former capital, which boasts amazing views of Pothia and the sea.

More points of interest

Located on the western coast of Kalymnos, just opposite the village of Myrties, the tiny yet enchanting islet of Telendos is one of the places you cannot miss visiting. Telendos is a rocky piece of land where nature enthusiasts can leave civilization behind and trek through mind-blowing hiking trails leading to mystery-covered ancient ruins and rugged mountain tops with sublime views of the flaming sunset. And if rock climbing is what brought you to Kalymnos in the first place, Telendos will reward you with an unforgettable experience, thanks to its massive vertical crags and its many organized climbing fields. What if extreme sports are not your cup of tea? Even in that case, the islet’s pristine beaches and traditional taverns are more than enough to make a visit to Tendos one of the very best things to do! With frequent water taxis carrying visitors to Telendos from Myrties village all day long, accessing this unspoiled paradise is literally a piece of cake.

About Telendos

Does a massive adrenaline rush sound like fun? Then Kalymnos is just the place for you! Over the last decades, this little island has emerged as one of the top rock climbing destinations worldwide, as it combines spectacular rock formations, caves, overhangs and vertical crags with the timeless charm of the Aegean Sea. Today, it boasts no less than 90 climbing sectors with over 3,900 well-preserved rock climbing routes of varying difficulty levels, while an international rock climbing festival has been held on the island on several occasions, bringing together thrill seekers from all over the globe. If these 20- or even 60-meter-high routes sound too intimidating, one of the best alternatives is to rent a boat from Vathy and head for a spot where you can try your hand at deep water soloing. In this way, not only will you improve your skills, but you will also minimize any potential danger.

One of the best things to do is to head for one of the qualified climbing clubs you will find around the island, which offer family climbing programs, as well as courses designed to initiate beginners into the magical world of rock climbing.

Book your rock climbing course

Whether you’re a rock climbing enthusiast or not, you will soon find out that hiking up to the Grande Grotta is hands down one of the best things to do in Kalymnos. Often considered one of the most stunning natural wonders in the entire country, this is a majestic cavern that reaches 50 meters in height and as much as 200 in width! Adorned with intricate stalactites, it is located close to the villages of Myrties and Massouri, and ranks among the most photogenic spots on the entire island thanks to its glorious sunset views. Watching the sun set behind the mountainous islet of Telendos, dyeing the sky with flaming red and orange hues that contrast with the azure of the sea, is a one-of-a-kind experience that should not be missed.

About Grande Grotta

Abounding in colorful flora and fauna, shipwrecks and spectacular underwater caves, the seabed of Kalymnos guarantees one of the most memorable underwater experiences you’re ever likely to have. All you have to do is head to one of the local scuba diving centers and choose the program that best suits your needs; there is a plethora of courses available to people of all ages and experience levels, from advanced divers to complete beginners. Kalymnos has an incredible variety of fascinating diving spots, where you can get to see with your own eyes the famous Kalymnian sponges, reefs teaming with marine life, imposing canyons and walls, as well as amphorae and other antiquities. And with a little bit of luck, you might get the chance to swim side by side with playful dolphins!

See the scuba diving centers

Nestled at the edge of a fertile valley planted with tangerine and other citrus trees that fill the air with their enticing aroma, Vathy Port stands out for its unique natural beauty. Not only is the route itself highly rewarding, but, as soon as you reach this tiny seaside harbor, you will also behold an awe-inspiring sight: a long and narrow fjord-like bay with turquoise waters surrounded by imposing hills! Don’t think twice about it: taking a refreshing dip into the sea or tasting delicious Kalymnian specialties in one of the port taverns, against the backdrop of this scenic bay, is one of the very best things to do in Kalymnos! What is more, you can also unlock other hidden gems, such as the Cave of Daskalio or a number of secluded beaches that can only be reached by boat from Vathy.

Information about Vathy

Ranging from well-trodden dirt or cobblestone paths to barely discernible goat trails, the hiking routes of Kalymnos may not be the prettiest ones in the Aegean, but they definitely boast an unrivaled wild beauty. Taking hikers through sea cliffs with panoramic views, majestic escarpments, huge caves, Byzantine ruins, medieval castles, Bronze Age sites and quaint chapels, they offer a unique combination of history, undisturbed tranquility and a sublime experience of the mountains, the shimmering sea and the Greek sun. Some of the routes, like the so-called Italian trail, which leads from Pothia to Vathy Valley, are easy and accessible to everyone, while the more adventurous will find their heart’s delight in the 100-kilometer-long Kalymnos Trail.

Discover the hiking trails

If your idea of a dream holiday is a sun-kissed serene island with fabulous beaches, going on a day trip to Pserimos is definitely one of the best things to do. Pserimos is a tiny islet with a single picturesque settlement, Avlakia, which is located right in front of the pier. Avlakia is the perfect place for a hearty meal made with home-grown products, or for buying such memorable souvenirs as colorful shells gathered by the local divers. If you feel like exploring a little bit more, a network of rocky hiking trails will soon lead you to Pserimos’ secluded beaches, which offer a refreshing getaway from more touristy destinations. Embodying the concept of a truly relaxing holiday, this charming islet is sure to make you wish to come again.

Explore Pserimos Island

The island of Crete is renowned for its excellent wines, so traveling across Chania on a winery-hopping trip can prove quite an experience. Have a unique wine-tasting tour and discover wines made of indigenous varieties that can only be found on this island. Some of the best wineries in Chania include Manousakis and Karavitakis, where you can taste the wines of your choice to the accompaniment of perfectly matched local delicacies.

See all Kalymnos Festivals

Right next to Pserimos lies Platy, a tiny islet surrounded by pristine turquoise waters. As it is barely inhabited, the only sight is a picturesque chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas; its seabed, though, is a true paradise for divers, not only on account of its rich marine flora and fauna but also because of the wrecks of two German World War II ships which sank off the northern and the southern coast of Platy. Take all the necessary provisions with you and bask in the warmth of the Aegean sun, having the beach all to yourself. Platy can be approached by boat from Pserimos, but, in order to explore it at your own pace, the best thing to do is to rent a boat from Kalymnos.

But that's not all! There are a lot more things to do, from playing tennis to sipping delicious coffee at one of the local cafes!
We invite you to explore even more options that the island has to offer: