Kalymnos, Dodecanese, Greece
The complete guide to Kalymnos
Find local tavernas, boat trips, rentals and events, plus the practical answers you need. Built with people who live here.
Local places and people
Discover more of Kalymnos
Start with the businesses, guides and events that make a day on the island memorable.
Eat & drink
Find tavernas, cafés and bars by area, cuisine and atmosphere.
Find places to eat →Activities & tours
Discover boat trips, diving, climbing guides and days on the water.
Explore activities →Car & scooter rental
Browse island rental companies and choose the right way to get around.
Find a rental →What’s on
See village feasts, climbing events and the island’s seasonal calendar.
See events →
What’s on
See Kalymnos come alive
Village feasts, climbing gatherings and live music are where the island comes together. Check what may be on while you are here.
The three things everyone asks
Getting here
The ferry leaves from Mastihari, not Kos Town
Kos airport to Kalymnos takes about an hour via Mastihari. Follow the airport-to-port route step by step.
Step by step →Beaches
Six beaches have sunbeds
Masouri, Kantouni, Therma, Kalamia, Arginonta and Emporios. The rest is bring-your-own-towel.
The full list →Timing
June and September are the sweet spot
Warm sea, everything open, no crowds. Climbers come in spring and autumn.
Month by month →Explore the island
Getting here
Ferry via Kos (from Mastihari), flights and connections.
Open →Beaches
All nine compared: sunbeds, sand, food, crowds.
Open →Where to stay
Masouri, Pothia, Kantouni or Emporios: pick your base.
Open →Climbing
Seasons, areas and practical logistics.
Open →Boat trips
Telendos in 10 minutes, Pserimos, charters.
Open →Car & scooter
Prices, licences, delivery at the port.
Open →Eat & drink
What to order and where, per area.
Open →Things to do
Sponge history, museums, castles, Vathys fjord.
Open →Events
Easter, feast days, the October climbing festival.
Open →Practical info
Money, pharmacies, water, connectivity.
Open →Why Kalymnos?
Kalymnos stayed itself while its neighbours built resorts. The island lived from sponge diving and fishing, and Pothia is still a working harbour town first.
Today climbers know it for the limestone above Masouri, and beach travellers know it for clear water without crowds. Tourism here is small, friendly and concentrated on the west coast, facing the sunset island of Telendos.
Popular guides
Kos airport to Kalymnos: step by step
The route from Kos airport to Kalymnos: taxi to Mastihari (10-15 min), ferry to Pothia (30-40 min, ±€8-10). Plus why you should not go to Kos Town.
Read →Kalymnos beaches with sunbeds: the list
Six Kalymnos beaches have sunbeds in season: Masouri, Kantouni, Therma, Kalamia, Arginonta and Emporios. The rest is bring-your-own-towel. Details per beach.
Read →Best time to visit Kalymnos
June and September are the best months for a beach trip to Kalymnos. Climbers come March-May and September-November. Month-by-month table included.
Read →Kalymnos or Kos: the difference
Kos is a large, flat resort island. Kalymnos is small, mountainous and local. They are 30-40 minutes apart by ferry, so you can also combine them.
Read →One week on Kalymnos: day by day
A 7-day Kalymnos plan: Pothia and the sponge history, Telendos, the north coast, Vathys fjord and the west-coast beaches. Base: Masouri or Myrties.
Read →Getting to Telendos: boat times, cost and what to expect
The taxi boat from Myrties to Telendos takes about 10 minutes and runs all day in season. Pay the small fare on board, no booking needed.
Read →Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Kalymnos?
Fly to Kos, take a 10-15 minute taxi to Mastihari and the ferry to Pothia (30-40 minutes, about €8-10). Kalymnos also has a small airport with Athens flights, and there are ferries from Piraeus and Rhodes.
Is Kalymnos worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a Greek island that still feels Greek: a working harbour town, quiet beaches, world-class climbing and far fewer crowds than Kos or Rhodes.
How many days do you need on Kalymnos?
Three days covers the highlights: a beach day, a Telendos day and a day for Pothia and the Vathys fjord. A week fits the whole island at a relaxed pace.
What is the best month to visit Kalymnos?
June and September: warm sea, everything open, no peak crowds. Climbers come in spring and autumn; October is festival month.
Kalymnos or Kos?
Kos is a flat resort island, Kalymnos is small, mountainous and local. The ferry between them takes 30-40 minutes, so combining both is easy.