What to see: The Maritime Museum, the Archaeological Museum and the Magnificent Telendos on the NW side of the island.
What to eat: Local delicacies such as sea urchin salad, spinialo and mirmizel (Local salad).
Kalymnos is located between Kos and Leros, in the southeastern Aegean and belongs to the Dodecanese.
The name of the island was Kalydna and others at first but then Kalymna and finally it became Kalymnos. It is also known as the island of sponges because of its occupants’ involvement with sponge fishing.
The capital of the island is Pothia where most of the population gathers. Chora is the second largest settlement and the former capital. Other areas of Kalymnos are Argos, Myrties, Masouri, Skalia, Vathis, Panormos, Emporios, Vlychadia, Lafasi, Vothyni and the island of Telendos.
Sponge fishing has brought economic growth and the island has flourished, the effects of which are evident in the various neoclassical mansions in every corner. Even today, there are divers who dive and collect sponges from the bottom with the traditional method. The traditions that represent the arrival of the sponge boats, the moment of separation and the celebration of the successful return, are still preserved and celebrated on this beautiful island.
Approaching Pothia, its picturesque capital, the statue of the mermaid on the rocks welcomes you, nice houses with colorful windows, making a pleasant first impression on the visitor. Following the coastal road, one can visit the church of the Savior Christ. His temple is the work of the famous Tinian sculptor Giannoulis Halepas and was decorated with murals by local painters. Beautiful buildings and bare mountains complete the image of the island. The spongy, small tourist shops in the port emphasize the character of Kalymnos. It is worth visiting the sponge factories, as well as the archaeological-folklore museum.
Near the city is the castle of Chrysocheria, built by the knights of Rhodes on ancient, Byzantine ruins, in the center of which there is the church of Chrysocheria. There are traces of knights in Chora, through the walls of Pera Kastro.
