Kalymnos, Greece’s Active Holiday Hotspot

Located just off the coast of Turkey, Kalymnos is an island in the Dodecanese Island group. Like Samos our Destination of the Week last week, Kalymnos used to be an island visited by many UK tourists on package holidays back in the 80s and 90s. Since this has dried up, Kalymnos has reinvented itself as a hub for activity holidays in Greece, especially rock climbing. In this article we’ll highlight what Kalymnos has to offer those looking to get active on their holiday.

How to get to Kalymnos
Kalymnos has a small domestic airport which connects to Athens, Kos, Leros, Rhodes and Astypalaia. These flights are limited however and therefore we recommend when coming from the UK you fly into Kos and then catch a ferry across to Kalymnos. You can get ferries to Kalymnos from Kos Town and Mastichari. We can advise which is best for you at time of enquiry. 

Rock Climbing
Kalymnos has naturally very rocky and mountainous terrain due mostly to it being the site of an ancient volcano, this rocky landscape makes it perfect for rock climbing. Kalymnos became known for rock climbing back in the 1990s when many scenic paths of varying degrees of difficulty began to be discovered. Since then, it has become the premier place for rock climbing in Greece and throughout the world. The limestone rocks make Kalymnos a great place if you’re just starting out or are wanting to improve on an established skillset. For more information on climbing on Kalymnos visit https://climbkalymnos.com/

​Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving is one of the most popular sporting activities on the Greek Islands. Kalymnos has a proud diving tradition thanks to its sponge harvesting industry. This was one of the most profitable trades on the island after WW2 and this experience is the reason the diving is so good here. The beautiful clear blue seas around Kalymnos make it a great place to dive as you have a massive amount of visibility. The island has a number of dive centres where you can learn and get your diving certification or perhaps just enjoy the waters if you’re already qualified. Diving can be done from a boat or the beach. The islands beaches are mostly pebbled which means less sediment and clearer waters, perfect for diving or snorkeling.  

More Activities
Wanting to get active on Kalymnos? You aren’t just limited to diving and climbing. Kalymnos is home to lots of places where you can take up whatever you like. Its mountainous landscape isn’t just good for climbing, it makes a great place for hiking. These paths give you an excellent way to explore a lot of the hidden spots of the island such as remote churches and these can be done by hikers of all abilities. For more about hiking visit https://www.kalymnos-isl.gr/en/activities/hiking. Kalymnos is a scenic place to do any sport, Yoga is popular pastime and there are many guided classes which are held at beautiful locations. The towns are also full of tennis courts and there is a club where you can get a game in when you want or sit and watch. 

​We hope this has given you some insight into why if you want activities, Kalymnos is the place to go. To find out more about the rest of Greece, take a look around our website or call us on 01157843388. If you know where you’re looking to book, call us, email [email protected] or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and for all your Greek Holiday needs. If you've been to Kalymnos, where was your favourite place? What was the best thing you did or do you think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments or on social media, just click the buttons below which take you to our social pages

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