The rugged peaks and fertile valleys of Kalymnos have a rich history, most recently of seafarers, boatbuilding and sponge diving, and on those industries grew rich for a while.

The main harbour town of Pothia has many beautiful large Neo-classical mansions from the prosperous late 19th century tucked away on the back streets, and two excellent museums; one, the very new national museum, dedicated to the island’s history of over 3000 years settlement, and the other a folk museum on the harbour dedicated to the history of the famous spongediving fleets. 

Favourite mooring spots are in the deep fiord of Vathi, and on the northern side near Telendos island. Popular for trekking, rock-climbing and scuba-diving, Kalymnos has a charming laid-back style, due perhaps to having no airport, and only access by the daily ferries from Kos, Rhodes, Samos, Athens(Piraeus), and smaller islands. Lying west of Bodrum Peninsula, it can also be a port for cruising from or to the Turkish coast.