Kalymnos is widely known as the spongefisher's island, since such a large portion of the population is engaged in this old occupation. Castles, remnants of fortresses, archaeological finds and old churches bear witness to the continuos importance of Kalymnos in the history of the Aegean. Its natural attractions, lovely beaches, unspoilt scenary, make it a small earthly paradise. Once the island's capital was located at Horio, which benefited from the protection offered by the castle of the Knights of St. John just above it. Today's capital is Pothia (or Kalymnos town), founded around 1850 by the inhabitants of Horio. Its brightly coloured houses surround the port like the seats in an amphitheatre, arranged along the hillsides down to the caiques and fishing boats bobbing below. An old church dedicated to the Christ the Savior adorns the waterfront: inside its decorated with frescoes and valuable icons.
Kalymnos island has other charming villages, like Vathi, set in a fertile valley full of citrus trees, and Metohi, on the southeast side of the island. The quiet hamlet of Emborios lies to the north. To the west are Massouri, Mirties, Panormos and Kamari. To the north of main town is Pera Kastro, also called the Castle of the Golden Hands, because the chapel in its interior has an icon of the Virgin whose hands are covered with gold leaf.
At Therma, just 1km from Pothia, there are radioactive springs and therapeutic bathing installations, rooms where visitors may spend the night, and specially trained personnel to assist them. Among the lovely beaches on Kalymnos are Massouri, Mirties and Arginondas along the west coast, Vlyhadia in the south.
How to get to Kalymnos:
By ferry from Piraeus-Athens