Pothia
Photo: Bert Christiaens / Pexels
The Verdict
A lively harbour town of sponges, fishing boats and steep streets, and the working heart of Kalymnos.
Why go
Pothia is built round a horseshoe harbour with a waterfront of sponge shops and tavernas and houses rising up the hills on both sides. The sponge trade is the island's history and is still visible — boats, workshops and a small museum of the divers — and the town is busy in a way resort towns are not, with ferries arriving from Kos and the market selling to locals. Climb to the church of Agios Savvas above the town for the view, and eat on the quay.
Understand the place
The capital of Kalymnos, arranged round a horseshoe harbour with sponge shops on the quay and houses climbing the hills behind.
Nearby
Related
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