Kalymnos

Introducing Kalymnos

Kalymnos (kah-lim-nos) was once renowned as the ‘sponge-fishing island’, whose islanders travelled far and wide in search of this strange marine animal to equip our bathrooms. Today sponge fishing is all but gone and the island is working hard to reinvent itself as a tourist destination. It has a challenging task ahead of it, but it’s making progress. Kalymnos is a largish, arid island, dotted with fertile valleys and punctuated by rocky mountains. It’s to the perpendicular cliffs of some of these mountains that climbers flock to test their mettle, as rock-climbing is big on Kalymnos. Its resorts cater mainly to individuals, and walkers will find a network of ready-to-walk trails and paths that criss-cross the landscape. While the main town can be busy and brash, and the islanders may seem a little preoccupied with business, Kalymnos offers a holiday lifestyle that will suit many.

Last updated: Oct 6, 2008