Kalymnos is best known as the island of some of the world's finest sponge divers. Although Kalymnos island is a developing tourist centre, you can still see the sponge fishermen at work even today and you can still experience the islanders' traditional way of life. On this beautiful island of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese, Greece, you can take nice walks, swim in beautiful caves, and discover lovely beaches and unspoiled scenery, an example of which is the authentic village of Vathi hidden in a beautiful green valley. Due to its mountainous landscape, Kalymnos is also one of the best places to practice mountain climbing! Also, most of the beaches are equipped with water sport facilities. Don' t forget to take the small excursion boats from Pothia to the small islands of Telendos and Pserimos. The wonderful sunsets over the tiny island Telendos are not to be missed - they are on par with those of Santorini island!

Kalymnos is part of the Dodecanese (group of greek islands located along the coast of western Turkey) and is lying between the islands of Kos and Leros. It is an attractive island with a population of about 12000 inhabitants, which are mostly leaving in the capital and main port, Pothia. Kalymnos island is famous for its sponge fishing industry and almost all the old men of the island were one diving for fishing sponges. Since this industry has fallen because Mediterranean sponges suffered from a viral disease in 1986 and a lot of them died, as the economy of the island did. The late tourism has helped a bit the island and its inhabitants, even if it is only at its beginning and the beautiful coasts of the island are still uncrowded during high season. Because of the low level of tourism, Kalymnos is still very authentic and its inhabitants are very friendly and hospitable. This gives to the island, along with its beautiful landscape and beaches, a particular atmosphere that charms every visitor.

Kalymnos is on the main ferry route for long and middle distance traffic so trips to nearby islands like Kos, Leros, Patmos and Samos are not a problem. Get tickets from travel agencies lining the port or the cafe on the main harbour jetty itself. There's a regular daily ferry to Pserimos leaving at 9.30am and returning at 4pm at the eastern end of the habour and cruise caiques offer various days out - again check the travel agencies.
Kalymnos is a favourite with climbers thanks to challenging climbs in the most picturesque locations. Rock formations are excellent quality. As well as around 200 single-pitch routes (5/2000), there are many cliffs of 10 to 200 metres offering new routes. The climbing is always varied with overhangs and roofs with holes and stalagmites. You can generally climb on Kalymnos all year round and you get pleasant sea breezes to keep cool in summer. Most pitches are west or southwest and get morning shade. All tourist facilities - hotels, restaurants - ar open until mid-October. Approaches to the various sectors climbs average 20 to 30 minutes. The rugged limestone landscape makes Kalymnos iseal for walkers and rock climbers. Local buses will get you to most resorts for walks. In spring the mountainsides are swathed in thyme and oregano, not only making for pleasant aromatic walks but providing food for the island's bees and flavour for the delicious honey. There is a paved donkey track that leads from Pothia to Vathi that is considered one of the best walks in Greece

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