Connoisseurs of Aegean food recommend Kalymnian thyme honey, the tangerines of Vathi, “mizithra” and “kopanisti” (goat’s cheese), “galaktobouriko”, to name but a few of the local products. The secret behind the island’s magic, though, is not in the mundane or the commonplace but in the countless exciting experiences you can savour nowhere else!

One such eye-opener is the island’s 859 Sports Climbing Sectors, all so well signposted and organised for the thousands of Rock Climbers that enjoy the island’s unique limestone rocks. Each route is so close to the hotels and the motorway and it is surrounded by such stunning views of the blue Aegean Sea, the cliffs and the beaches that will welcome the climbers in their “free” hours, that they have the feeling of belonging – this, they confess, is their second home.

The Aegean around Kalymnos, is not just for swimming (come to think of it, have you ever tried the crossing from Massouri to Telendos?) but also (or mainly) for diving: caverns, wrecks, colourful walls of great diversity and a rare visibility of over 35 meters make these waters second to none!

Supported by the Underwater Park in progress, the one and only Professional Diving School in Greece, the hi-tech decompression chamber at the nearby hospital, the two Diving Centers operating April-November and its rich diving heritage, Kalymnos is the natural holiday home for divers.

However, for everyone not keen on the deep blue or the upright crags, not satisfied with lazing on a beach or lying back and enjoying a sip of coffee, a cold beer, while gazing at the fantastic sight of the harbour with its splendid diversity in boats, for those who do not feel complete with just sightseeing (Religious Art galore, an Archaeological Museum packed with priceless exhibits, Museums seeped in the traditions of the Sea, etc, etc, etc) in fact, for those who are more “earth aware” but are tired of the thickly wooded countrysides of the North --- we would recommend an escape among the many mountain paths, leading through aromatic herbs, to further surprises.

Trek to one of the seven glorious caves whose splendid crystalline interiors will leave you speechless!

Come see legendary wells where mythical creatures dwell or tiny chapels nestling in-between overhanging rocks or ... stone-paved stairways “to heaven”!
For the avid holiday-spot collectors, daily jaunts to the nearby islets or even daily cruises to the other bigger islands of the area would be just the thing!

For instance, Telendos, with its ancient ruins and the legendary Princess profiled on its southern rockface, or Pserimos with its hundreds of tiny bays or Nera or Plati with their solitary taverns and whitewashed monasteries, could offer their beaches and sandy coves for quiet family picnics and pleasant dips. Then, in the evening, sail back to base.

Enjoy your wine or ouzo by the water, in a seaside bar or in the privacy of your studio balcony, dance to traditional folk music, join in the Rock Climbing or Diving Festival Events, the gigs and the concerts in town!

There is something for everyone on this “Real Island Experience” called KALYMNOS!