Villa Melina

Kalymnos enjoys a Mediterranean climate with long, hot, dry summers and short, wet winters. Spring and autumn are particularly pleasant times on the island.

Kalymnos welcomes most visitors in the summer months. Greek visitors escape the mainland heat and come for the ocean breeze while tourists come for the sun.

Kalymnos, island of the sponge divers and climber’s paradise, is located in the Aegean Sea and is one of Greece’s most South-Easterly islands. Its size of 25 Km in length and a population of 16,000 people make it the third largest of the Dodecanese island group after Rhodes and Kos.

Kalymnos was inhabited in ancient times and in 3000 years of history, the island has lived under the control of many different rulers and empires. The Knights of Rhodes, the Ottoman Empire, and Italy all controlled Kalymnos at various times before the island was finally re-united with Greece, along with the other Dodecanese islands, in 1947.

Pothia, home of the Hotel Villa Melina, is the main port and principal town of Kalymnos. The geography of the town creates a unique natural setting: the harbour and waterfront are a dramatic stage, closely surrounded by the mountains which create a natural amphitheatre where the rows of seats are filled with brightly painted houses.

Pothia is busy with life but the life is relaxing. Drink an ouzo or a frappe in one of the many outdoor cafes by the sea. Absorb the view of colourful boats and watch the fishermen return to port with their daily catch which will be sold at the local fish market. In the evening, choose your favourite seaside restaurant offering fresh seafood and local cuisine.

Stroll around the never-ending labyrinth of streets, many are wide enough for a donkey, but not for a car. There is something to discover around each corner: churches, gardens, and sponge factories. The family homes of Pothia are an eclectic delight, no two are the same. The same is true for the shops. Nearly all of them are family-run and unique. There is a good chance for you to find something different here.

For a change of scene, rent a bike or car, or take the local bus, and travel to the East of the island. There you will find the fertile valley of Vathis and you can enjoy the colours of the citrus orchards and the emerald green water in the cove of Rina.

On another day, you might travel North along the dramatic coast road where rugged mountains tower to your right and the blue Mediterranean waters sparkle to your left.

On the West side of the island you will find the beach resorts of Myrties and Massouri, and the peaceful coastal villages of Arginondas, Skalia, and Emborio at the North end of the island.

The mountainous terrain of the island meant that Kalymnos always had less fertile ground for agriculture than other islands and so it took its wealth from the sea. The island became the capital of the sponge-diving business. Today there is still a strong sense of tradition and authenticity as the trade continues.

Modern equipment has made sponge harvesting safer these days but this was not always the case.

Historically, the island held a celebration to bless the boats and their divers as they left Kalymnos every spring for the shores of Africa and their dangerous feat of deep sea diving with minimal equipment.

Accidents were common and the islanders knew that not all divers would return home from their mission. And so, it was tradition for the wives to dress in black mourning as soon as the boats left the port and stay dressed that way until their men returned with their harvest later in the year.

This unique flavour of Kalymnos is visible in the many sponge factories selling a variety of sponges, and the nautical museums who keep this history alive with their visual narratives of the life of the sponge diver.

If archaeology is your interest, you will find many spectacular archaeological sites on Kalymnos. To name a few:

• Church of the Christ of Jerusalem
  A 6th Century basilica built reusing ancient stones upon the foundations of a sanctuary of Delian Apollo where ancient inscriptions can till be read on the stones.
• 10th Century Castle of Hora
  This castle is dramatically perched on the side of a mountain and is visible from the whole of Pothia.
• Castle of Chrisocheria
  Nearer Pothia, this castle was built for defensive purposes during the occupation of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem 15th Century.

If you prefer trekking or rock climbing, Kalymnos offers some of the most spectacular walks and climbing in Europe. In recent years, we have also had diving festivals and beach volleyball championships on the island.

You can find more detailed information about Kalymnos, climbing, and trekking by looking at the official local council website .