Kimolos: The Island of Chalk

The Greek islands are all unique in beauty and offer a wealth of experiences, and this has been confirmed. However, they never cease to amaze us. Kimolos, a small Cycladic island next to Milos, is a volcanic island with a unique variety of rocks, including the chalk from which it got its name.

Getting to Kimolos by Ferry

Kimolos is located in the southwestern corner of the Cyclades. It is connected to the port of Piraeus by conventional and high-speed ferries, with the journey taking between 4.5 and 7.5 hours, depending on the route. Milos is just 900 meters away, resulting in many ferry routes starting from Psathi, the port of Kimolos, and ending at Pollonia (Apollonia) in Milos. If you find traveling by ferry tiring or uncomfortable, take advantage of the fact that Milos has an airport.

The Village of Kimolos

Usually, all islands have a "Chora" (main town), but Kimolos has the "Village"! From antiquity, it was a "monopolis island," meaning it had one and only one settlement. This tradition continues today, with the island having one settlement, their pride and joy, and they love calling it a village. It is built in the shadow of the medieval castle, in the same location where there must have been an ancient acropolis, at the foothills of Mount Xaplovouni. The other settlements are not permanent and operate only in the summer but are true gems with whitewashed houses and aromatic courtyards. The alleys are fragrant with the famous Kimolian pies, the cheese pie, the lathenia, and the zucchini pie, which you will try with white wine, perfectly complementing the fresh fish.

Where to Swim

Kimolos has unique terrain as it is an island with minerals, resulting in very special scenes on its beaches, all unique to the island. Next to the Village is Rema, a natural pool with an excellent setting of rocks and caves carved into the soft rock where boats are pulled up in the winter. Sheltered and ideal for families and endless hours of fun. Prasa is an amazing beach with white, coarse sand (inside and outside) and blue waters, and at its entrance, there are thermal baths, making it one of the most popular beaches on the island. Klima, Monastiria, and Soufi beaches are pebbly and, when caught by the northern winds, offer the joy of windsurfing if you are sporty. Alyki and Bonatsa are sandy beaches, while Kalamitsi beach, a double beach with pebbles and sand, and continuous stretches with tamarisks, offers breathtaking views.

Besides the unusual beaches, Kimolos also has cinematic landscapes for swimming. Don't miss visiting Gerakia Cave with its turquoise waters or swimming at the famous Agioklima, where a hot spring gushes out on the shore!

Ancient Kimolos

Given that Kimolos had the privilege of exporting the famous Chalk Earth, in antiquity, it even minted its own coin, having significant commercial activity. It was a major Mycenaean center, with remarkable artifacts found in the areas of Mavrospilia and Ellinika, where the ancient city of the island lies submerged in shallow waters. On the beach, you will see many ancient tombs from the Mycenaean to the Hellenistic period. In the same area, Aspragremna uniquely seals the sunset, and the more observant can discover fossils of marine organisms. At Cape Ag. Georgios, you can photograph the caves of the Mediterranean monk seal, which is endemic to the island, and a few hundred meters away lies the half-submerged cave at Vromolimno (catacomb or mine shaft).

You can't visit Kimolos without photographing the famous Skiadi, a natural monument in the middle of a barren plateau with a stunning view. "Skiadi" owes its creation to the different types of rocks that compose it and the strong winds that blow in its area. The softer rock at the base is eroded by the wind, causing it to "wear away" and narrow, while the top remains almost intact, creating the appearance of a mushroom.

One of the reasons the island's village is so beautiful is its castle, an architectural marvel from the 14th or 16th century, with a square shape consisting of two clusters of houses. The houses are built with the hard stone of the area (iron stone). The Outer Castle consists of a row of houses, the outer wall of which also served as the castle wall. Many houses have lintels with coats of arms and dates.

Strange landscapes, diverse beaches, volcanic rocks, and nature scenes that seem out of this world. Landscapes that contrast with the imprints of human presence from millennia ago, documenting the passage of time, culminating in excellent hospitality. Kimolos, this small island, seems to have captured the entire Cycladic culture within itself, making every visitor wonder how much beauty can fit into a Cycladic island!

Don't forget to book your ferry tickets to Kimolos at booktickets