Kalymnos Island (Greece)

Kalymnos Island is located in the southeastern Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean). As municipality, it is part of Greece's Dodecanese Islands (15 bigger plus 150 smaller isles) located to the west of Bodrum peninsula (ancient Halicarnassus), between Kos Island (south, distance 12 km /7 mi) and Leros Island (north, distance 2 km / 1 mi). Kalymnos is also 2-5 hours away from Rhodes Island.

Kalymnos has population around 16,000, ranking it Dodecanese's 3rd most populous (following Kos and Rhodes). It's popular in Greece for the affluence of most of its population, and stands as both the wealthiest Dodecanese's member and one of the wealthiest islands in Greece overall. Kalymnos Municipality, including the populated offshore isles of Pserimos (population of 80 people), Telendos (94), Pláti (2) and Kalolimnos (2), as well as a few uninhabited islets, features a combined land area of 134.5 km2 (51.95 ml2) and a total population of 16,180 inhabitants.

Kalymnos was previously known under the names Kilimli, Kelemez and Calino. Since ancient times, sponge diving is the main source of income for the locals. Being mostly barren (only about 1/5 of the land can be cultivated), the island's agriculture has always played a minor role in its economy. The island is famous for the citrus fruits grown in Vathi Valley. In recent times, tourism (particularly for rock-climbing) has become an important industry.

The island is a popular vacation destination for wealthy Greeks who often arrive on their large yachts. Island's scenery is marked by a rugged coastline and barren hills with steep slopes.

In 2006 was opened Kalymnos National Airport (located close to Pothia). The airport serves domestic flights (Sky Express planes) connecting Kalymnos to Athens and the islands Astypalaia, Kos, Leros, Rhodes.

Regularly scheduled ferries link Kalymnos with Kastellorizo, Kos, Leros, Naxos, Nisyros, Paros, Patmos, Piraeus-Athens, Rhodes, Tilos, Symi, Lipsi/Leipsoi, Astypalea, Karpathos, Syros, Halki, Agathonisi, Samos, Ikaria, Fourni, Arki. These ferry services are provided by the companies Blue Star Ferries and Dodekanisos Seaways.

Kalymnos Town (the island's ferry port) is located on a beautiful bay with deep-blue waters. Port Kalymnos covers most of the waterfront and consists of small several small-sized piers and jetties berthing leisure boats and yachts. The ferry terminal is at the bay's western end, adjacent to the breakwater.

Kalymnos Island cruise terminal