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Kalymnos
Kalymnos is an island in the Dodecanese group of the South Aegean Islands of Greece. It is known for its sunshine and limestone rock climbing cliffs.
Regions
Cities
- Pothia - the commercial and civil center of Kalymnos.
- Massouri - the tourist center of Kalymnos.
- Emborios - Picturesque and unspoilt village on the north western coast of the island.
- Vathi - Small village on the east coast with a beautyfull "hidden" harbour.
Other destinations
Pserimos: an even smaller island lying between Kalymnos and Turkey. Telendos: an island lying off the coast of Myrties and Massouri. Can be reached by boat from a small pier in Myrties. Good for a day trip: beaches, restaurant, walking and climbing.
Culture and History
Kalymnos is most commonly visited during the summer months as Greek nationals and tourists escape the mainland heat for the ocean breezes. Still, the summer months of July and August can be quite warm with daily high temperatures ranging in the mid-thirties Celsius. Spring (May - June) and autumn (September - October) tend to be more comfortable but more variable in terms of daily temperatures. Towards the end of October, the colder winds come in from the north, bringing winter, and the temperature drops drastically.
Talk
Most bars, restaurants, hotels and tourist shops exist mainly for the tourist trade and speak a variety of languages, including English (often fluent), French and German. Greek is only needed for using the buses and for more complicated situations.
Travel to Kalymnos, visa requirements
Flights to Kalymnos, airtickets
Kalymnos has a new airport that commenced operations on August 10th 2006. The airport is located at Argos, Kalymnos (IATA CODE: JKL), located a few kilometers from Pothia. Olympic Airlines has scheduled service daily from Athens International airport.
The next closest airport is on nearby Kos (airport code KGS) which has a regularly scheduled service on Olympic Airlines.
By boat
Most visitors arrive from the nearby island of Kos via frequent ferry service. There are two services; 'Anem Ferries' runs a large boat which can take vehicles, if necessary, and the 'Kalymnos Dolphin' is a smaller, faster, passenger boat. Both vessels arrive in Pothia on Kalymnos while in Kos the Anem Ferries travel from Kos (city) and the Dolphin travels into Mastichari, near the Kos airport. Each makes several sailings a day, the number depending on the season and trade.
It is also possible to travel directly to Kos as well as Bodrum, Turkey, and other nearby Greek islands. There is regularly scheduled ferry service to/from Athens.
Get around
- Bus - Bus services run around Pothia nad to various other destinations (every significant settlement on the island). The buses criss-cross the island hourly and fares are generally one euro for a single.
- Taxi - A taxi stand can be found in Pothia, a few blocks north of the harbour front: otherwise, you'll have to call and request one. Many bars and restaurants will call a taxi for you.
- Scooter - Many visitors to the island opt for renting a scooter. They are inexpensive (from about 10 euros per day), can be rented in the tourist areas and with the limited traffic on the island, make for an enjoyable way to get around.
Kalymnos attractions and sightseeing
- Monastery of Saint Sava, Pothia: an attractive monastery perched high on the hill above Pothia. The church has typically beatiful decoration, and the view is very good. Open 10am to 2pm, 2pm to 7pm. Either take a bus from Pothia towards Vilhadia; take a taxi; or take the short but hilly walk from Pothia.
Itineraries
City tours
Beach - Kalymnos is a relatively small draw compared to the neighbouring island of Kos but during the summer months the island swells with Greeks and tourists enjoying the sun and sand.
Rock Climbing - Since 2000, Kalymnos has become one of the premiere world destinations for rock climbing. The season spans year round though the most popular months tend to be the spring and fall when the heat is less intense and there are fewer visitors. At last count, there were almost one thousand sport routes on the superb limestone crags. The routes are almost entirely bolted (sport climbing) with fixed anchors, most featuring lower-offs. A 60m rope will suffice but more and more routes that are being put up (including many of the well-worn classics) require a 70m rope. You'll also want to have no less than 16 quickdraws.
If you are in Kalymnos to climb, your first trip should be to the Outdoor Athletic Association (called such because they coordinate and track the climbing on the island). The association runs a small office north of Myrtes (near the Poets wall) and is open daily during the mornings. Here you'll be able to get the latest route information and a free print-out of the routes -- a listing of the grades with directions on how to get to each crag, from there you'll find the routes as they are painted at the base of each route.
Stay
Take a taxi, or a bus, from Pothia to the top of the island. Massouri and Myrties are pretty busy and right on the road. But, the last village on the island, Emborios, is a haven of tranquility with a great beach, convivial bars and restaurants and a discerning crowd of visitors from around Europe.
There are plenty of rooms for rent in the village. Ask Ireni at Artistico what's available.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
A promenade of restaurants and bars lines the harbour in Pothia, advertising everything from 'traditional Greek cuisine' to 'Fast Food Donald Duck'. The only real Greek food available are the ever-present gyros, souvlaki, calamari, and feta cheese; many different varieties of burger and pizza are also on offer. The best bet for the gourmet is to ask a restaraunter what fish they have in, which can lead to very pleaseant results.
The best food can be found in the small villages and the island of Telendos. Harry's Taverna and Artistico in Emborios offer wonderfully fresh Greek food. At Harry's, the restaurant is a delightful garden, while at Artistico the views from the terrace out to sea are superb.
On Telendos, the Barba Stathis taverna, on the way to the beach over the hill, serves lovely fresh food.
Kalymnos nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Shopping, Kalymnos souvenirs
Kalymnos is famous for its sponge harvesting. Within the larger towns of Pothia and Massouri you'll find stores with barrels full of natural sponges.
Stay safe
The risk of crime in remote Kalymnos is probably less than in most parts of Europe.
Get out
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