Kimolos in Greece

Kimolos is located in the western Cyclades just northeast of Milos. Kimolos has about 910 inhabitants, and the island's surface is 36 km2. The largest village is Chora with 840 inhabitants; in addition there are some smaller hamnlets, like port village Psathi, and the small fishing village Goupa. The highest mountain is Paleokastro, measuring 364 meters above sea level.

The port of Psathi on Kimolos.

Kimolos is just a stone's throw away from Milos. It is an almost forgotten island, just waiting to be discovered. Almost 800 people lives here; most of them are working in agriculture and fisheries. Tourism is still in its infancy; foreign tourists who stays overnight is rare, the few who visit Kimolos will be day-trippers from Milos. Greek tourists are rare in low-and mid-season.

Kimolos is quite similar to the neighboring island of Milos.

The island is characterized by a pleasantly quiet. The inhabitants are fantastically friendly and helpful; many are very curious and want to know who you are and where you come from.

On Kimolos dominate the Greek everyday life.

It is to enjoy the peace and quiet you go to Kimolos; into the bargain you get a big dose of real Greece. There are no discos, no nightclubs, no trendy restaurants. The nearest you can come a nightlife is a music bar in Chora where the young islanders gather in the evenings. Otherwise, entertainment is limited to simple tavernas that are authentic Greek and adjusted to the islanders' needs instead of the tourists needs.

TRAVEL TO KIMOLOS

No package tours - of course, Kimolos would otherwise be an attractive package holiday destination for those who love the real Greece. Although there is no airport, the connections with the outside world are very good, mainly with Milos, but also with the islands in the western Cyclades, like Serifos, Sifnos and Folegandros, and the Athenian port of Piraeus.

The car ferry Osia Methodia runs between Pollonia on Milos and Psathi on Kimolos.

Traveling from Milos to Kimolos, it is easiest to go with the little car ferry Osia Methodia, that runs between Pollonia on Milos and Psathi on Kimolos. Osia Methodia replaced the old ferry Panagia Faneromeni in 2019

The quickest, and easiest, way to get to Kimolos is to go by air to Athens and then continue by ferry or catamaran from Piraeus. Another option is to fly to Santorini, from which there is decent boat connections to Kimolos during high season.

Kimolos seen from the ferry to Milos.

Ferry timetable »

Book ferry tickets online here »

GETTING AROUND ON KIMOLOS

The only public transportation on Kimolos is a small bus that runs between the port and Chora, and to some beaches. Fortunately, there are not many roads, the distances are short and you will cope fairly well under your own steam. Car and scooter are available for rent, but there is no taxi. If you want, you can take a boat trip over to the volcanic island of Polyaigos, which is just outside Kimolos.

Excursion boats go to the small island of Polyaigos outside Kimolos.

VILLAGES ON KIMOLOS

Kimolos port village Psathi (see photo on top) is quite a pleasant acquaintance. Here's one bakery, a few small shops, a few cafes and tavernas with tables strategically placed along the beach - very nice and cosy in the evening. At lunchtime the tavernas are piled up with day trippers from Milos. The beach in the port is nothing to write home about; it is just about to be good enough to take a swim while waiting for the ferry.

Psathi port beach.

Chora lies a few kilometres north of Psathi. It is a beautiful and charming village, nothing is adjusted for tourists; here you have the opportunity to study how everyday life appears in a Greek village.

View of Chora on Kimolos. The neighboring island of Milos on the right.

One of the many alleys in Chora.

It is difficult to get a clear view of the village because there is no central square. In order to orient yourselves in the labyrinthine alleys, you have to take sight on the main street. In some places the alleys are so narrow that it is almost impossible to go there by car, which does not prevent the Greeks to try.

A small cozy ouzeria on one of the squares in Chora.

People like to sit here in the evenings and study Greek everyday life.

In Chora there are surprisingly many tavernas and a couple of shops. There are also travel agents and an ATM. In the middle of Chora lies the old district Kastro which is listed as one of the Cyclades finest. Something that is unusual for a Kastro is that there still are people living there. Most Kastro in Greece are uninhabited. Kastro on Kimolos, Folegandros and Antiparos are three exceptions.

One of the cozy alleys in Chora.

Goupa is a small fishing village with beautiful surroundings about 10 minutes walk from Chora. The village is known for its colourful boat houses which are carved out of the rocks. Together with the small, and equally colourful, fishing boats, they form a beautiful backdrop to the turquoise waters.

Outside the boathouses, the fishermen work with their fishing nets. You can stroll along the water on handmade bridges of stone. The small beach is not the best in the Greek archipelago, but it's good enough for a cooling dip after the walk from Chora.

Boathouses and the small beach in Goupa.

Read more about Goupa here »

BEACHES ON KIMOLOS

It is not for the beaches that you in the first place go to Kimolos. It is rather to experience the genuine Greece, enjoy good food, visit the beautiful Chora and to walk in the strange landscape. However, there are several of beaches if you would be tempted to swim and sunbathe.

The wonderful water at Prassa beach.

At the small village of Goupa there is a small beach that is good enough for a dip or two. A little further away is Klima beach which is covered with large pebbles. Not far away we find Loutro beach, and if we continue a little further we'll come to Prassa beach (Agios Georgios), which for me is the best beach on Kimolos. The water is fantastic.

To the west lies Aliki beach which is the island's most famous and most visited beach. The beach consists of pebbles mixed with sand. There are both taverna and pensions. After Aliki you find Bonatsa and Kalamitsi. The latter is really good. Mavrospilia is also a very nice beach.

Bonatsa beach on the west Kimolos.

Ellinika beach on Kimolos.

Read about the 10 best beaches on Kimolos here »

SIGHTS ON KIMOLOS

The biggest attraction on Kimolos is undoubtedly the old Kastro in Chora. Other attractions include the volcanic landscape, the uninhabited neighbouring island of Polyaigos - where it is said to live monk seals - and the strange rock formation of Skiadi.

Church of Agios Ioannis in Kastro.

Part of Kastro and the magnificent cathedral to the left.

Skia means shade in Greek, and that's where the rock got its name from. In the area there is almost no shadow, except just below Skiadi. The rock is also known as The mushroom due to the mushroom-like shape (see picture on the mushroom via the link below).

On the western island it is said to be a sunken city, but I have not seen any photographic proof. Ellinika, which the city was called, was destroyed by an earthquake and sank to the bottom of the sea. It is said that you can see relics of Ellinika when there is no wind and the water is clear.

ACCOMMODATION ON KIMOLOS

On Kimolos there is no difficulty in choosing accommodation; it is tricky to find anything at all. The selection is scant to say the least.

Kimolos is one of the few islands where I have been forced to sleep outdoors because I have not found a place to stay. Most options are in the port, and about 600 meters from the port on the way to Chora. In Chora there are a few pensions. Unfortunately they are poorly signposted.

Here are suggestions for some good accommodation.

Kimolis »

The Windmill Kimolos »

The Windmill Kimolos »

Book other hotels in Kimolos here »

My Kimolos. My Paradise. Is it written on the wall. I can only agree.