One of the biggest holidays in Greece is Easter. In the Greek Orthodox religion, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated, and it is the most important day of the year for an Orthodox Christian. Many times, the dates do not align with the Western Easter, and this year Greek Easter takes place a week later.

During the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, many people fast. The final week leading up to Easter Sunday is called Holy Week, which depicts the story of Jesus Christ. On each day, something different is celebrated by the church alongside different traditions taking place in the homes of the Greek families.

Thursday marks the day when Jesus is on the cross, and to symbolize the Last Supper, families dye hard-boiled eggs red. The red color symbolizes the blood of Christ and the eggshell represents the sealed tomb of Christ.

On Holy Friday, Jesus Christ is lying in his tomb, and in the Orthodox church a coffin is decorated (epitaph) and carried by the people around the streets.

Saturday is when he is buried and rises the next day. At this time, masses are gathered at the church, holding a candle in their hands, singing Christos Anesti (Χριστός ανέστη = Christ is risen) when the clock strikes midnight.

Then comes the big day, Easter Sunday. It is the time where families gather and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with food, drinks, cheer, and good company. Greeks crack their red eggs as a symbol of Christ rising from the dead.

How do Greeks celebrate Easter in Kalymnos?

Every Greek island has its own unique Easter traditions, and Kalymnos of course has its own way of doing so.

The Kalymnians make a whole lot of noise with dynamite, which they cast about throughout the island (safely we hope). They also feast on their very own version of stuffed lamb in the oven, which they call Mouri.

The two of us have unfortunately never experienced Easter in Kalymnos (let alone, Greece). Luckily, our friend Michael Kalogerakis, who is a local on the island, has been kind enough to share his perspective on Easter in Kalymnos:

“Easter in Kalymnos Island is a unique period that every traveler must experience. The whole island waits for these days to come. Holy Week is combined with many different happenings due to the Orthodox religion, but the most important days are the last three ones.

Holy Friday

On Friday night, it is the day of the Epitaph (decorated coffin), where every enoria (region in Kalymnos) has its own Epitaph which is carried in the streets by the people.

Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday, there is much to do. Then men are heating up the stone oven in the afternoon, and the boys are gathering dry wood for them to help get the fire going.

In the meantime, Kalymnian women are preparing the traditional Kalymnian Easter meal, Μουούρι (Mouri), which is lamb stuffed with rice, red sauce, and spices. It is a day that is filled with many preparations!

Nowadays there are fewer ovens on the island, so families gather at a home which has an oven. All the lamb must be cooked together into the big clay oven. The lamb is stuffed and slowly cooked to perfection.

At 12:00 PM (Saturday afternoon), it is the first Anastasi (resurrection). Pothia square is completely crowded by young men who are throwing dynamite in the air, creating a bombarding atmosphere. This time is symbolic because it was when they found out that the tomb of where Jesus laid in was empty.

On late Saturday evening, every family goes to church around 11:00 PM. At midnight, the priest preaches “Christos Anesti – Christ is risen”. This is the moment when the conviviality changes on a whole different level. Everybody is in their high spirits and firecrackers are taxing your ears.

Easter Sunday

The first thing we do on Easter Sunday is open the ovens to fetch the clay crocks which contain the slow cooked, delicious Mouri. Certainly, everybody must try everyone else’s dish. It is mostly a family day where the whole family gathers (a typical Greek family is above 20 people which includes aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.). The meal lasts until everyone is full. It is a great celebration.

In the afternoon, Pothia square is full once again, mainly because of the dynamite show that takes place every year. Kalymnians throw dynamite from two mountains on either side of Pothia, and the sound of it exploding sometimes even reaches Kantouni, which the opposite side of the island. Some have even said that the locals in Kos can hear them exploding!

The one mountain is on the side where Agios Savvas is, and the other located on the opposite side is called Maurovouni (black mountain) due to a fatal accident that happened back in 1980. When the exploding dynamite ends, there are fireworks and usually the Traditional Dance Group of Kalymnos organizes an event where all Kalymnians can enjoy dance and sing to traditional sounds.”

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Meet the co-creator Michael Kalogerakis

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The village of Vathy (or Vathi) and the lush green valley is the most fertile part of the island. Not only is Vathy beautiful in many ways, but the journey alone is worth the experience.

The picturesque view over Vathy

When driving from Pothia, the road will take you along the coastline and the beautiful views of the sea. There are multiple fishing farms scattered around (you can spot the circular fishing nets that go very deep into the water), and you will most definitely see mountain goats. 

Eventually, you will reach the Akti beach which you can see from above the road. Many people like to go there for a swim and if you choose to do so yourself, you can drive all the way down a steep paved road. Otherwise, save your swim for Vathy where you will want to dive into the water down by the port of Rina.

Continuing around the mountains after Akti beach, you will reach the great view over Vathy. The view to your right is absolutely perfect as you descend the road. It is a sight that you will see in almost any book, tour guide or advertisement for Kalymnos. The beautiful valley with the humble amount of houses in combination with the picturesque, winding channel of water and the quaint port makes for an incredible sight.

A peaceful oasis that will touch your senses

All your senses will be touched when you pay Vathy a visit. When driving down towards the oasis of trees and water, the smell from the mountain herbs will hit your nose. You might recognize the scents of thyme, oregano or sage dancing in the air.

Several of the local Greeks own a second home in Vathy, just like a little summer house. This is where they go to relax, and they spend time growing and maintaining vegetables and fruits in their backyards. Goats and chickens provide the residents with fresh eggs and milk. 

Life in Vathy is relaxed and simple. The locals go to church, they take a swim in the port of Rina and friends and family gather for home-cooked meals. Isolated from busy areas like Pothia and Masouri, Vathy is a quiet and peaceful part of the island. 

We recommend that you spend some time just strolling the small paths, taking in the beautiful surroundings. You will see plenty of trees and bushes with fruits like pomegranates, oranges, lemons, figs and even almonds. If the season is right, pick a fruit or two and taste the pure freshness and sweet juices of the ripe fruit.

Down by the harbor, a few souvenir shops are to be found. Here you can find all kinds of charming, traditional items like handmade chimes made of seashells, magnets, cups, hats, jewelry – you name it! Do us a favor and buy something to keep as a memory from your time in Kalymnos.

Tavernas in Vathy

By the water in Vathy, you will find a few seafood tavernas, which have stood the test of time, serving locals and tourists fresh seafood for years and years. The food is humble, and did we say fresh? They are the type of restaurants, which only have a select number of items per day, depending on season and availability.

Those places, in our opinion, are some of the best kinds! Whether it’s freshly fried calamari, xtapothoketfedes (octopus meatballs), or the classic moussaka, these tavernas will serve you traditional and delicious food. Try Poppy’s, which is centrally located at the small port in Vathy. She has been serving the best food for decades. Go with your loved one or family and enjoy yourself a tasty meal.

Take a swim in Rina – or sail off to a private beach

Lots of people go for a swim in the clear water of Rina. It is not a beach and you won’t find sunbeds or umbrellas. Instead, you put your towel down by the steps or on the ground by the port. If you dare, there is a diving platform on the cliffside where kids as well as adults jump off and into the water.

Along the dock, you will find small stands selling local honey, freshly squeezed juice and homemade loukoumades (Greek donuts served with honey and cinnamon). Buy a snack, find a seat and enjoy.

Taxi boats from Rina to the private beaches

If you are more of a beach person, Vathy is still the place to be. Taxi boats will sail daily from Rina to some of the best beaches of Kalymnos, which can only be reached by sea. Imagine the most crystal-clear water – that is the main ingredient for all the beaches. Kampi is the closest one and it will take you around 10 minutes to reach. After that comes the big and the small Almyres and finally Drasonta.

Getting to the beaches work like this; you call the guy in charge of the taxi boat (Yiannis Koutellas) or you get in touch with one of the owners of the local tavernas – they usually know someone with a boat. You arrange when to go, as well as a pick-up time for returning, and then the captain of the boat drops you off and picks you up again according to the arranged times.

NOTE: There are no public restrooms or cafés at the private beaches, so remember to pack enough water, food and toilet paper for your whereabouts. Also, pick up your trash and bring it with you when you leave. That is the only way we can keep the beaches clean and unspoiled.

Thank you for getting all the way to the end

Thank you for reading all the way to the end. We hope you found this guide useful and if you have any questions about Vathy or Kalymnos in general, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Also, if you have more travel tips or recommendations, please leave a comment below.

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There is something special about watching the sun set in the evening. You have reached the end of the day and it is time for the sun to wave goodbye and disappear in an explosion of orange, red and pink colors.

In Kalymnos, you can see some incredible sunsets from various locations on the island. If you have the time and you are up for it, you should try to change location each day for the complete experience.

Continue reading if you want to know our 5 favorite sunset spots in Kalymnos.

Masouri Beach (Μασούρι)

Masouri Beach is one of the best on the island, and it’s probably the most popular one as well. Here you will find a lot of bars, cafés, and restaurants along the beach, and the biggest hotels are located in the Masouri area as well.

It’s a sandy beach with lots of sunbeds, which you can rent while spending your time there. The prices are around seven Euro for two, which includes an umbrella. There are waiters coming by every now and again to offer you a beverage or snack, and they will serve the goods right to you. It’s not so difficult to just relax and get lazy.

From the beach you have the beautiful view of the island of Telendos, which is located right across from Masouri. The water is calm, and waves almost never happen. When entering the water for a swim, there are some rocks and pebbles at first, but as soon as you pass them, there’s nothing but sand and lovely water.

This beach is family oriented and perfect for couples and youngsters. One end of the beach (towards Plaza Hotel) is very quiet and family friendly, where the other end of the beach (it is to your right when you’re facing Telendos), you will find the young and hip local Greeks playing beach tennis and listening to loud music.

Vlychadia Beach (Βλυχάδια)

Vlychadia is located in the southern most part of the island, and it takes a little bit of driving to get to (if you’re staying anywhere away from that area). The beach consist of two parts; one is made up of small pebbles, and on the other side of the road you’ll find the sandy part of the beach – right in front of the Eirini’s Restaurant the Sponge Diver (Ο Σφουγγαράς).

The water is stunning – as calm as can be because the surrounding mountain closes the area off, creating a small little bay.

The area itself is peaceful, and has also been improved on in the past couple of years. There are numerous restaurants and cafés scattered around, which are perfect if you’re in the mood for an iced coffee, a traditional Greek style seafood taverna, or a cold, decadent ice cream cone.

Vlychadia is perfect for couples, families, and everything in between. Just beware of the sun: it’s quite hot, but if you arrive early, you should be able to secure a spot underneath one of the trees. On the sandy part of the beach, you’ll also find sunbeds free of charge.

Gefyra Beach (Γέφυρα)

Gefyra literally translates to bridge in Greek, and this beach is surprisingly located under, well, a small bridge. It’s a very small beach with small and medium-sized pebbles, and an even smaller restaurant/cafe. I must say, don’t judge this beach by its size, because it packs a big punch.

The water is crystal clear. Its location is enclosed by two mountains on both sides, so the water is absolutely calm (only thing is that its location is near the main port, and from time to time, waves occur from the passing boats only to last for a few minutes).

There are a few sunbeds and some trees that will help cast shade if you’re not into the intense heat Kalymnos can bring in the summer months. The little restaurant is also a gem in our opinion. It’s family operated and they have delicious and humble offerings.

This beach is great for couples, families, and especially kids. When you’re driving to Gefyra you’ll immediately notice the shimmering sea down below, making you want to jump in as soon as possible.

Kantouni Beach (Καντούνι)

Kantouni Beach is a long, sandy beach located on the southwest side of the island. This place is perfect for the ones who love waves, since Kantouni is known for usually having a rough sea. From time to time however, the sea is perfectly calm which makes for an incredible beach experience (perfect for the young ones in that case). There are a few well-known bars and cafés along this beach such as Domus, that serves drinks (full bar), coffee, sandwiches and also turns into a cool bar/club at night.

Kantouni also features the ever classic Kantouni Beach Hotel, which contains a small menu, bar, swimming pool open to the public, and a lot of sunbeds. There is also Greek Night every Friday night which features live traditional Greek music, and discounted prices on food. It’s a real treat and a must if you’re going for a cozy experience.

The only downside of the beach is in fact, the waves. The waves bring out all of the seaweed and pollution (unfortunately) from the south Aegean, and unfortunately leads to a dirty beach from time to time. This beach is a paradise when this doesn’t occur, and we assure you – it’s not all the time. Swing by Kantouni and see for yourself.

Palionisos beach (Παλιόνησος)

If you’re up for a little drive, this beach has incredible water that will make an everlasting impression on you.

Palionisos used to be a beach that was only accessible by boat until a new road was built just after Skalia, making it easy for anyone to visit this mini paradise. The road zig-zags up the mountain for about 5 minutes and then you can travel down a scenic route all the way to the beach.

The beach is located in the northern part of the island right in between two mountains. The water is some of the clearest and cleanest you will find on Kalymnos. The color of the water is breathtaking and honestly, much different from the other beaches in Kalymnos. The beach is made up of small pebbles and has just a few trees for shade.

They have recently made this into a more “hip” spot with the addition of rentable sun beds, Greek tavernas, and even a Greek flag which is suitable for a post on anyone’s Instagram profile.

The beach tends to attract a lot of visitors all summer long, especially during the weekends. If you’re on this part of the island, stop on over to Palionisos for an incredible beach experience.

Kambi – the private beach (Καμπι)

Kampi is one of the few real “private” beaches left on Kalymnos. It requires a boat to get to, unless you’re fearless and are into scaling the rough terrain by foot.

The beach is located on the east side of the island, and is mainly accessible by the small port of Rina, in Vathy. This little port is sweet and humble in every way, and you’ll find nice little boats in the harbor. The port also has a handful of small restaurants and cafes, of which you need to come in contact with if you’d like to hitch a ride over to one of the private beaches.

Also read: “Why Vathy is worth a visit”

Anyone inside these little cafes and restaurants will give you information on how to access the beaches, and more importantly, who will take you, and when. We highly recommend arriving early at the port and asking around. The one restaurant at the far left of the port as soon as you enter might be your best bet. Ask, and in return, the owner will kindly request that you dine at his restaurant upon returning back.

The arrangement is simple: you pick a time, and the the owner will drop you off and then pick you up once again. The beach is only 10 minutes or less with the boat. There is also a designated taxi boat – just call the number on the sign down by the port.

You thought Palionissos was incredible (it is, but this is better), just wait till you see these waters. Stunning, crystal clear blue water. It almost looks like glass (or as the Greeks say, Γυαλί). The beach is made of up of small pebbles. There are a few trees as well. It’s almost completely untouched. It’s as natural of a beach you’re going to come across on this island.

We almost forgot: this is one of those experiences where you must bring everything on your own. This includes toilet paper, food, water, towels, and umbrella, or anything else you think you will need for a period of anywhere between 3 to 6 hours (or however long you’re going for).

Due to the rising interest of these private beaches, there are daily trips of boats containing a horde of tourists almost every day. These boats dock at the beach, grill a handful of souvlakia, play loud music, and then leave.

This only lasts for about an hour or two, and then they leave. They also normally arrive around 2 o’clock in the afternoon. So if you plan your trip accordingly, you should have this beach all to yourself. Normally, if others see that the beach is occupied, they will simply head to the next, but you never know.

Nonetheless, it’s an absolute must if you’re going for an unforgettable beach experience in Greece.

Emporeios Beach (Εμπορειός)

Located in the further north of the island is a small village called Emporeios, which is home to a handful of residents, tavernas, hotels, and a lovely beach. As you drive to the village, you’ll come to a dead end eventually, where you will find a little port, which divides a beautiful, long beach.

Emporeios beach has a number of tavernas that are located directly on the water and offer delicious food with an even greater view of the small bay. The little beach is charming, clean, and pleasantly quiet. There are sunbeds located right “in” the tavernas so to speak, so you can enjoy the beach, and perhaps a snack at the same time.

These sunbeds are free near the tavernas; however, the others down the beach have a fee of six euros for a pair. There are also a handful of trees that also cast shade if you’re not interested in the sunbeds. The beach is absolutely clean, and due to its location in the most northern part of the island, it’s rather quiet and less crowded than the others you will find during the summer.