Kalymnos 

Kalymnos is part of the Dodecanese archipelago, in the Aegian Sea, but it is one of the less popular among Greek islands.

Its origins and history are not certain; it was mentioned by Homer in the Iliad and defined "wooded island" by Ovid, a very different idea from the present appearance of the island, bare and mountainous.

It was colonized by Minoans, Dorians, Persians and later it allied with Athens; after a long Bizantine domination, the island was conquered by Turks who decimated the population. In the Middle-Age, it was under the control of the Knights of Rhodes and later of the Ottoman Empire; in the 20th century, it was colonized by Italians before conquering the long-awaited freedom in 1948.

Kalymnos is known and billed as the "Sponge-divers' island." Sponge diving has long been a common occupation on Kalymnos and sponges were the main source of income of Kalymnians, bringing wealth to the island and making it famous throughout the Mediterranean.

Kalymnos is mainly mountainous with complicated topography. The coastline is very irregular, with many sheltered coves. There are some springs, one among them being thermal. The soil is mainly limestone-based, but in the valleys there is a compact bank of volcanic tuff, the relic of an ancient volcano, located near the village of Kantouni. The island is mainly barren, except for the two fertile valleys of Vathi and Pothia, where olives, oranges and vines are grown.

Kalymnos offers rock climbing and bouldering during the whole year.

Like many other islands in Greece, Kalymons, too, is rather windy, especially in summer.

So be careful while approaching the harbour of Kalymnos, located south of the island, inside a beautiful natural cove.

In addition to winds, tourist ferries cause an intense annoying wave motion inside the harbour, so we recommend to keep a distance from the quay.

The harbour offers about 80 mooring places, not always available in high season.

Boats can moor along the south-western quay or at the new north-western dock. Mooring is, on the contrary, forbidden in the yellow areas.

The harbour offers water and electricity columns, while in the surroundings you can find a gas station, shops and restaurants.

Among the main attractions of the city, the Nautical Museum certainly deserves a visit.

https://youtu.be/m5v0C6ghC4U