Kalymnos Hotels & Villas: Where to Stay

Accommodation on Kalymnos concentrates on the west coast around Massouri, Myrties and the green village of Panormos. Massouri and Myrties put you on the beach near the boats to Telendos, and Panormos sits close to both the beaches and the climbing sectors. This guide covers the hotels and apartments across those areas, from Plaza Hotel on Massouri Beach to the family-run studios of Panormos, plus where to base a self-catering stay. Hire a car to explore Kalymnos at your own pace, covered in our Kalymnos car hire guide.

Best for the beach

Massouri & Myrties

Best for climbing

Panormos

Biggest hotel

Hotel Elies

Boats to Telendos

Myrties

Plaza Hotel, Masouri

Plaza Hotel stands right on Massouri Beach, in the centre of Massouri within walking distance of the restaurants and shops. It has a swimming pool and a children's pool, and all its bright rooms come with air conditioning, satellite TV and a fridge, with breakfast included in the rate. Guests can relax at the poolside bar overlooking the sea, and cocktails and snacks are served at the snack bar, with free Wi-Fi in all public areas. Climbers find many facilities nearby. Kalymnos Airport is 8 kilometres away and Pothia, the main port and capital, 8.5 kilometres.

Katina Studios, Myrties

Katina Studios sits just 20 metres from the beach at Myrties, with an outdoor pool and free public Wi-Fi. The air-conditioned rooms have a private balcony with sea views, a kitchenette and a refrigerator, a dining area and an en suite bathroom. Guests can relax in the garden or play billiards, have breakfast with a sea view and a drink at the bar. The studios give easy access to nearby restaurants and nightclubs, there is a bus service, and free parking is available nearby.

Hotel Elies, Panormos

Hotel Elies is a 3-star hotel and the biggest on Kalymnos, set in a garden 100 metres from the centre of the green village of Panormos, which holds the best restaurants, bars and ouzo tavernas on the island. It stands 5 kilometres from Pothia, 2 kilometres from Chora with its Big Castle and the Temple of Apollo, 500 metres from the beaches of Linaria, Kantouni and Ksisitos, 1 kilometre from Platis Yialos and 2 kilometres from the Myrties jetty for the boat to Telendos. The climbing sectors Monastery and Austrians are 20 minutes' walk away. The hotel has 64 rooms, each with its own veranda, and 30 have self-catering facilities; all have air conditioning and a TV. Facilities include a 24-hour reception, safety boxes, a pool and pool bar, an indoor bar, a restaurant, parking, an amphitheatre and special services for divers.

Elite Apartments, Panormos

Elite Apartments is a family-run set of studios in Panormos, close to many of the island's climbing sectors and to the beaches of Kantouni, Linaria and Platis Yialos. The large, well-lit studios have a marble bathroom with a shower and a private balcony, and each room offers free wireless internet, a TV, air conditioning and a safe. Guests can relax on the common terrace, and the studios sit close to bus stops, taxi stands and bike rentals, with the Temple of Apollo a short walk away.

Villas & where to stay

Kalymnos keeps most of its self-catering apartments and studios on the west coast, usually a small studio group or family apartment rather than a large estate. The areas below set out where to base a self-catering stay, from the busy resorts to the quiet port capital.

Massouri & Myrties

Massouri and Myrties are the busiest west-coast resorts and hold most of the island's self-catering rooms. Studios and apartments here put you a short walk from the sandy beaches, the tavernas and the bus, and Myrties adds the boats across to Telendos. This is the most convenient stretch for a beach holiday, and the beaches are described in the Kalymnos beaches guide.

Panormos & the beaches

Panormos, the green village above Kantouni, Linaria, Ksisitos and Platis Yialos, suits a self-catering base close to both the beaches and the climbing sectors. Its studios and apartments sit within a short walk or drive of several beaches and of the best tavernas on the island, which makes it the choice for climbers and for travellers who want a village rather than a resort.

Pothia

Pothia, the capital and main port, suits a base by the harbour rather than the beach. Rooms here keep you close to the ferries, the waterfront tavernas and the trip up to Chora and the castle, and it is the handiest area for anyone arriving late or leaving early by boat. It is a working town rather than a resort, so it stays lively out of season.

Choosing an area

Where to stay on Kalymnos depends on the holiday you want. Massouri and Myrties put you on the island's main beaches with the boats to Telendos and the liveliest evenings. Panormos is the base for climbers and for the best tavernas, within reach of several quieter beaches. Pothia keeps you by the port and the sights, and the northern and eastern villages around Emborios and the Vathy valley suit travellers after real quiet. A short drive links the west-coast resorts, and the beaches are set out in the Kalymnos beaches guide.