Kalymnos Vathy

General information

Located at the edge of a fertile valley with tangerine and orange tree orchards, Vathy (or Vathys) is a picturesque seaside village whose trademark is a narrow fjord-like inlet with amazing azure waters. Being sheltered from the wind, it forms a small natural harbor called Rina, which provides pleasure crafts with safe anchorage. Vathy is a great place for relaxation and boasts a number of traditional seaside taverns which are renowned for their fresh fish and seafood.

Vathy does not exactly have a beach, yet visitors can enjoy a refreshing dip into the sea thanks to the stairs that have been constructed along the harbor. From the small port of Rina, it is possible to catch one of the boats leaving for some of the island’s remotest beaches, such as Almyres and Pezonta, or for the little-known Daskalio Cave, which used to be a place of habitation and worship from the Neolithic till the early Christian era. Adorned with impressive rock formations, this cave can only be approached by sea and is accessible through narrow stone-built steps. From the perspective of the sea, the view of the valley and the hills surrounding Vathy is just mind-blowing.

The area around the village is also very rich in sights, including the ruins of a prehistoric acropolis, the remnants of an ancient temple and a tower dating from the Classical times. One of the most remarkable things to see is the fortified Panagia Kyra Psili, a church perched on the slopes of a steep hill. Visitors will also find several early Christian chapels, some of which still preserve traces of old frescoes and mosaics.