What to See in Kalymnos
In the island's capital Pothia (Kalymnos) you'll find a nice museum about the island. There is also a beautiful church here dedicated to Christ. There is also a nunnery, Ag Savas, which is open to the public and is well worth a visit. Don't forget to wear a long skirt and to cover your shoulders if you are a woman, and to wear long trousers if you are a man. There are also several sponge factories you can visit.
Chorio is the old capital, and here you can visit the castle of Golden Hand (Kasto Chrysocheiras) where the Knights of St. John resided. There is also a citadel from the 9th cent. AD, Pera Kastro, and the remains of a church from the 5th century: "Jesus of Jerusalem". Over the hill to the east of the port a huge cross dominates over the town of Pothia. The tourist resorts of Kalymnos are Vathy to the east hide within a deep cove and almost invisible if you are passing with the boat . Vathy is the most green area of Kalymnos, it is only a few years ago, before the tourism development, that Vathy was a small village of farmers and fishermen.
Masouri located next to Myrties in the north west of Kalymnos. It is the most developed holiday resort of Kalymnos with quite a few hotels and other accommodations. Myrties located at the north part of the island very close to the small island of Telendos that use to be thousands of years before connected with the rest of the island. From Myrties there is a boat that daily goes to Leros at 13.00 at the small southernmost port of Leros Xirokampos.
There have been some plans about connecting Kalymnos with Leros with a bridge at the most narrow straights of the two islands in the north. That can be not as difficult as it looks because there are some small islands in the straights the Glaronisia and Leriko nisi who can be used as connections to that bridge.
The small island of Telentos is a few minutes away by boat from Myrties, there are some nice taverns and is worth visiting.
Another remote village of Kalymnos is Agios Petros to the north east of the island. The small village has only a few inhabitants and a small tavern. Very resent there has been a road that connects Agios Petros with Kalymnos capital Pothia. The village has a small beach and is an ideal place for fishing and diving.
Pserimos is a small island between Kalymnos and Kos, there are some nice beaches and taverns on that small island. There are daily excurtions to Pserimos from Pothia and is a good idea for a day trip.
The Caves (Kalimnos)
THE CAVES, which have evidence of human habitation in primitive times, are located on the slopes of the Kastani and Tsingoura hills. Traces of smoke can be detected on the ceiling. The caves become more numerous in the direction of the small chapel of Agios Ioannis. Access to them is difficult.
Daskalio Cave
DASKALIO CAVE has prehistoric findings - Neolithic tools, spindles and ceramic items dating from the Middle and Late Minoan Period (2000-1400 BC). The cave, located at the entrance to the port, was used by the inhabitants of the island for defense purposes. Access to them is difficult.
Kefala Cave
KEFALA CAVE, located NW, is of considerable archaeological and speleological interest. The passageway, overhung with massive stalactites, measures 103 m in length. It was explored in 1961 by oceanolographer Anastasios Christomanos. Scientists found also signs of worship of Olympian Zeus. Visitors can access the cave by boat from Pothia or Myrties.
Activities in Kalymnos
In 1986 Italian Andrea Di Bari discovered the great climbing importance of the island. Climbing. Over the last few years, Kalymnos turned into one of the most important climbing destinations in Greece. Today, there are 70 climbing sectors with more then 2000 routes made on this rocks of limestone, and many international climbers are gatherings often organized on the island.
Diving
Spear fishing
Hiking
Swimming at the following beaches: Gefyra, Therma, Kantouni, Linaria, Rina, Akti and Vlyxadia, the Arginontas Bay and Platys Gyalos. You can reach by boat the following beaches: Almyres, Drasonta, Pezonta, Palionisou, Sikati and Petronta.
Thermal Spas: The Thermes spring (spring with 37C temperature) , 1 km S from Pothia; this is an ideal thermal treatment against rheumatism, arthritis and gynecological problems.