Sightseeing. The
island is steeped in history, which stretches back to the beginning
of the 11th century BC (the beginning of the geometrical period)
when the Karres first inhabited the island. Almost everywhere on
the island there were traces of the ancient inhabitants. In Pothia
you can visit the Archaeological and Folk Museum where there are
displays of objects from the prehistoric (5,000BC) to the Byzantine
era. The Nautical Museum in Pothia shows the life of the sponge
divers and other related customs and habits of the people of Kalymnos.
Don't forget to visit the 'Valsamidi's Museum of Ocean Finds' at
Vlychadia. Amongst the noteworthy exhibits are the remains of an
ancient Greek boat together with the urns it was carrying. The castle
area of the main town is a Byzantine settlement with a fantastic
view over the port. A good number of old houses; churches and cistern
have been preserved.
Other Sports. If
lounging on the beach doesn't grab you the alternatives to rock
climbing on Kalymnos include windsurfing, mountain biking, trekking,
yachting and diving. People windsurf usually in the region between
Kalymnos and Telendos where the wind is often between three and
five on the Beaufort scale and rarely exceeds this. Boards can be
hired on the beaches that are also equipped for beach volley. On
the asphalt coastal road from Massouri to Emborio you can cycle
enjoying the view of the sea and of the cliffs of Telendos. For
a good dirt road continue on from Emborio towards the NW coast.
Another good cycling route - for strong legs - begins in Pothia
and heads for the Saint Catherine Monastery and the Kefala cave
(with terrific slalactites - torch needed). Mountain bikes can be
hired on the road leaving Massouri towards Emborio.
For trekking there are a fair number of old footpaths needing between
one and three hours, all with incomparable views from high up across
the Aegean. Recommended routes are 1.Arginonda-Vathi, 2.Kantouni-Saint
Fontis, 3.Telendos-Saint George Castle, 4. Towards Panayia Kyra
Psili and Pezonta, 5. The Kefala cave- Saint Andreas - Pithari monastery,
6. Pothia - Vathy, the Old Italian road.
In Pothia you can rent yachts with or without crews. Unfurl the
sails and visit the surrounding islands and the coves of Northeast
Kalymnos that cannot be reached by car.
Diving, although integral to the history of the island, is strictly
limited to the region of Vlychadia where there is an organised diving
centre.
Local Dishes. Don't
forget to try the delicious fresh fish of the island and the different
octopus dishes, including octopus roasted over charcoal, marinated
in ouzo or served as octopus balls. Unique in Greek cuisine are
the 'krithines kouloures' (a kind of rusk which was made for the
sponge divers in the old days), the 'Mermizeli' (salad with 'krithines
kouloures') and 'karkani' (salad with mayonnaise and devilfish meat).
At Easter the islanders roast the 'Mououri' goat meat cooked in
a special earthenware pot. For another different taste try the 'ouzo-mezedes',
the 'spinola' and try the sea-dried lobster tail.
The
island is steeped in history, which stretches back to the beginning
of the 11th century BC (the beginning of the geometrical period)
when the Karres first inhabited the island. Almost everywhere on
the island there were traces of the ancient inhabitants. In Pothia
you can visit the Archaeological and Folk Museum where there are
displays of objects from the prehistoric (5,000BC) to the Byzantine
era. The Nautical Museum in Pothia shows the life of the sponge
divers and other related customs and habits of the people of Kalymnos.
Don't forget to visit the 'Valsamidi's Museum of Ocean Finds' at
Vlychadia. Amongst the noteworthy exhibits are the remains of an
ancient Greek boat together with the urns it was carrying. The castle
area of the main town is a Byzantine settlement with a fantastic
view over the port. A good number of old houses; churches and cistern
have been preserved. 
If
lounging on the beach doesn't grab you the alternatives to rock
climbing on Kalymnos include windsurfing, mountain biking, trekking,
yachting and diving. People windsurf usually in the region between
Kalymnos and Telendos where the wind is often between three and
five on the Beaufort scale and rarely exceeds this. Boards can be
hired on the beaches that are also equipped for beach volley. On
the asphalt coastal road from Massouri to Emborio you can cycle
enjoying the view of the sea and of the cliffs of Telendos. For
a good dirt road continue on from Emborio towards the NW coast.
Another good cycling route - for strong legs - begins in Pothia
and heads for the Saint Catherine Monastery and the Kefala cave
(with terrific slalactites - torch needed). Mountain bikes can be
hired on the road leaving Massouri towards Emborio. 
Don't
forget to try the delicious fresh fish of the island and the different
octopus dishes, including octopus roasted over charcoal, marinated
in ouzo or served as octopus balls. Unique in Greek cuisine are
the 'krithines kouloures' (a kind of rusk which was made for the
sponge divers in the old days), the 'Mermizeli' (salad with 'krithines
kouloures') and 'karkani' (salad with mayonnaise and devilfish meat).
At Easter the islanders roast the 'Mououri' goat meat cooked in
a special earthenware pot. For another different taste try the 'ouzo-mezedes',
the 'spinola' and try the sea-dried lobster tail. 