The terrain of the fourth largest island of the Dodecanese is mountainous, except for two fertile valleys, but it boasts of many natural attractions - caves, lovely beaches, unspoilt scenery - that make it a mini earthly paradise.

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.

In the 19th century, sponge divers jumped overboard with a heavy stone to weigh them down and had to hold their breath; that's why they dived in shallow waters. Today, they wear oxygen tanks, but their job is still dangerous, and many divers have been paralysed or even died.

At the Astor sponge factory in Pothia, you can watch the process which transforms primitive living organisms into yellow sponges, and of course they are sold everywhere on the island.

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.

To the north of the main town is Pera Kastro, also called the Castle of the Golden Hands, because the chapel in its interior has an icon of the Virgin whose hands are covered with gold leaf. It's a strenuous climb up to the castle, but the view will make it up to you.

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.

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