Kalymnos Beaches

From Kalymnos Town (Pothia) to the furthest point of the island, Emporios, Kalymnos beaches each have their own qualities and uniqueness. They are all very relaxing, even to the more livelier Massouri beach, no matter where on the island you are staying, all of the beaches are easily accessible, from a couple of minutes walk to a half hours bus or car ride, the more isolated coves can be accessed by a small boat.



Most of the beaches are beside little cafes or tavernas, where you can choose from a cold drink or ice cream to a full 3 or 4 course meals. The choice is yours.

Pothia

Pothia has two small beaches, one on either side of the harbour. On the right hand side of the harbour is a lovely little beach that people use to while away sunny afternoons. There is also a small diving school that you can visit. The little tavernas situated on the water front are very good too. Pothia will become very close to your heart as a lovely place to visit and stay.

To the left side, of the harbour there is a wonderful little beach which is sometimes frequented by the local children and is also close to lovely cafes and tavernas, and you can watch the little children playing and see the boats coming in and out of the port. The architecture of the portside buildings is lovely too. The Kalymnos beaches in Pothia are mostly used by the people who live in or near the port, so they can sometimes be busier after 5.00pm when the Kalymnian mums think it is safe enough not to get too much sun.

Vlychadia

Vlychadia beach, called lagouna beach by the kalymnians, is about a five kilometers south west of Pothia, is easy to get to and is really quite lovely, it is a sandy beach within an idyllic little bay. It’s great for snorkeling and swimming and one can relax there for the whole day. The little taverna and snack bar are warm and hospitable and the food is good. When I am there, I hardly want to leave, out of all the Kalymnos beaches, this is the most picturesque in my opinion.

Linaria, Kantouni and Platis Gialos Kalymnos Beaches

Linaria and Platis Gialos dark sandy Kalymnos beaches are very close together and are about six kilometers from Pothia town and are situated on the western side of of the island. The beach at Platis Gialos is easy to walk into and then it drops so you are able to swim quite close to the shore. I include Kantouni beach with this because they all sort of run together and are very accessible. Supported by cafes and tavernas and one or two little hotels, that you can call in and are free to use the swimming pools, it’s a great place for the children to relax and play. The hotels have good theme nights too if you want some entertainment. The scenery is dramatic and divine and these three little Kalymnos beaches are a great place to visit.

Melitsahas

Melitsahas beach is one of my favourite Kalymnos beaches on the island. It is a lovely little cove on the northwest of the island and is closest to our home. It is surrounded by a few lovely homes that look down from the cliffs, and has some smashing local tavernas. The people are kind and full of respect for visitors and neighbours alike. The food is very good and is great value for money. The beach is stony and sandy and there are trees to shade you in the hot sun. It is ideal for snorkeling as it has plenty of nooks and crannies for the aquatic species to play hide and seek. Melitsahas has its own little harbour and you can enjoy seeing the local fishermen come and go. The fishermen will often sell you some fish if you ask them to and some will even throw you a fish for free.

Myrties

Myrties Beach

Myrties beach is a one minute walk from the main road that wanders through Myrties and Massouri, on through to Emporios; in the mid summer months the road becomes a one way system which takes you a couple of minutes out of your way to get to Massouri, but it is easy to walk through to Massouri and other little villages. Myrties village has great accommodation and fine tavernas and bars. The shopping is good too!

From Myrties you can get the little boat to the gorgeous little island of Telendos which will take about 7 minutes to cross the Aegean waters and will cost two people about 3 euros.

Massouri

Massouri Beaach, Kalymnos

Even if you don’t like crowds and noise you will still feel at home in Massouri, because, as a holiday village, it caters for everyone.

Arginonta

Arginonta is one of the quietest Kalymnos beaches and really is a get away from it all type of beach. It is further on towards Emporios and is about ten minutes from Massouri. The pleasant waves and clear, clear water is breathtaking and you seem to be surrounded by dramatic clifftops and rocks that people love to climb. We would normally park by the little kiosk and by our sunbeds from the old gentleman when we buy our drink or ice cream. When we are ready for lunch we will have a minutes walk up to one of the two tavernas on the main road and relax in the shade while we eat our lunch and marvel at the fantastic scenery. Both of these tavernas have the most wonderful and accommodating owners and it is a pleasure to visit them.

Kalamies and Emporios Kalymnos Beaches

This beach is like paradise, away from it all and quiet. There are two tavernas vying for your custom and both have their qualities. The food is very ‘Greek’ and quite good. Yanni likes to go fishing with his neighbour from Emporios so the fish is fresh and cooked just to your liking. His sons have worked hard at making the place to look very relaxing using drift wood and other natural items and the effect is great.

Their old Grandma sits in the shade and nods to you from her comfy chair as though giving you her blessing and its usually dark by the time we leave, because it is so wonderful and peaceful. From our home in Vigles, a small village overlooking Melitsahas bay, we can look across the Aegean to Kalamies; in the evening, we can just make out the three lights along the beach front and we know that Yanni and family are working away, or relaxing over a beer with customers or friends.

Emporios is a tiny harbour with a beach on each side of the wooden jetty, and is about 27 kilometres from Pothia; the end of the road as far as you can go on Kalymnos. Its beauty is simplicity, quietness, tranquil, and very memorable.

This horseshoe shaped cove is one of the nicest places on Kalymnos. There are some lovely place to stay and some great places to eat. The beach is sandy and pebbly and is typical of a fishing village, with little boats coming to and fro from the jetty, unloading their catch of the day, from squid, octopus, sardines, and snapper.

Vathi

Vathi is a small village on the south east of the island, about half an hour from Pothia. There is also a new road open from Arginonta, (sometimes spelt Arginonda) to Vathi, which means you don't have to drive into Pothia to get to Vathi. Vathi is picturesque and quite sheltered from the open sea. Many large and small boats dock in the harbour and spending the evening there. The road down to Vathi affords you the most wonderful view of the Vathi port and harbour side, surrounding the bluest of water. The beach is not a Kalymnian beach exactly but rather like a huge swimming bath that you reach from steps on the side of the harbour. But it is a great place to swim and relax, as you watch the sailing ships slowly enter the Fjord like harbour.

Surrounding Vathi are lots of orange groves and orchards. If you go on a Sunday, the locals from the nearby farms sell their products, from goat’s cheese to vegetables and freshly pressed olive oil, free range eggs and other local produce. I bought the local cheese made from goat’s milk and though it didn’t look at its best, the flavour was fantastic and was marvelous for use in all sorts of recipes.