Kalymnos is widely known as the spongefishers' island, since such a large portion of the population is engaged in this ancient occupation. For hundreds of years the sponges were fished around Kalymnos, but as the industry grew, fishermen were forced to sail further away, around Crete and even in deeper waters off Africa and Cyprus. They set off just after Easter and return home in October, two events that certainly call for celebration.

Today's capital Pothia or Kalymnos was founded around 1850. 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 Christ the Saviour adorns the waterfront. It is decorated with frescoes and valuable icons. You can also visit the Archaeological, and the Nautical & Folklore museums.

Kalymnos has many lovely beaches, like Massouri, Mirties, Arginondas and Emborios along west coast and Vlyhadia in the south. Near Panormos, a pretty village 5 km from Pothia, you will find the beaches of Kantouni, Linaria and Platis Gialos.

Near the beautiful village of Vathy, 8 km south-east of Pothia, you can swim in the quiet nearby coves, that you will reach by boat. On the west side, you can sail to the islet of Telendos -which was once a part of Kalymnos until they separated by earthquake- where there are several sandy and pebbly beaches.