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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