ISLANDS A-Z	CRETE	CYCLADES	DODECANESE	EASTERN AEGEAN
IONIAN	SARONIC	SPORADES	MAINLAND	ABOUT US

Palionisos beach in Kalymnos

Along the road to Emporios, a few kilometres after the little village of Skalia, there is a road that turns right. The road leads to Palionisos. It winds like an anaconda straight up in the mountains. The view in the opposite direction is magical. When you come to the church, I recommend you to turn off the engine (if you go by scooter), and slowly roll down in meditative silence.

Palionisos beach on Kalymnos in Greece.

The cozy beach of Palionisos.

The road to Palionisos in Kalymnos.

The road to Palionisos. Telendos on the left and Emporios on the right.

At the first right curve, a hiking trail begins that leads to a cave called Sikati cave. The cave is a magnet for climbers and is big as a house. It has no ceiling and it is 50-60 meters in diameter, and at most 70 meters deep. It takes about 30-35 minutes to hike to the cave. I have not been there, unfortunately it was too hot when we were there. But I've seen pictures and the cave looks absolutely stunning, and I understand why it's so popular to climb there.

The road to Palionisos in Kalymnos.

The road to Palionisos from the other side of the mountain.

Sikati cave and beach in Palionisos on Kalymnos in Greece.

Sikati cave is on the right in the picture, but unfortunately not visible.

What is it like to drive a car and scooter on the island of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese?

Just before Palionisos, this abandoned hay truck is rusting.

When one arrive at Palionisos, one is first struck by how lovely it is, and then - when one have seen how small it is - one wonders why on earth this incredible long winding road, which must have cost a fortune, has been constructed. Probably it is the EU that paid.

There are no sunbeds to rent at Palionisos beach, but there is plenty of shade from the tamarisk trees.

There is plenty of shade under the tamarisk.

I do not know whether to say thanks, or to complain. But now when the road is constructed, I decide to say thanks. Before the road was built, Palionisos was to say the least, isolated. You could go by beach boat from Rina in the Valley of Vathy, otherwise you had to have your own boat, or you had to go on a long hike.

The fjord of Palionisos on Kalymnos.

Palionisos fjord.

Palionisos lies in a long, very beautiful, fjord-like bay that beat the fjord-like inlet in the Valley of Vathy. As you understand, it is not Norwegian fjords I have in mind, they are much bigger. :-) The beach - which consists of small pebbles - are fabulously inviting. The water seams to call out: come and swim! That the surroundings are lovely, do not make things worse. There is a taverna on each side of the beach: Taverna Ilias to the left, and Taverna Kalidonis to the right. Both offers excellent views of the bay.