The Best Beaches in Kalymnos: Sandy Shores, Pebble Bays & Clear Water
The best beaches in Kalymnos offer plenty of variety, from the sandy shoreline at Masouri to the dark sand of Platys Gialos and the pebble bays around the northern coast. Some sit beside established visitor areas, while others make a worthwhile destination for a day exploring the island.
Choosing a beach is partly about where you are staying. Masouri and Myrties are convenient for visitors based on the west coast, Kantouni and Linaria provide alternatives around Panormos, and Vlychadia makes a useful excursion from Pothia.
Wind and sea conditions matter too. Leave some flexibility in your plans rather than assuming that the same beach will offer the best swimming every day.
Kalymnos Beaches at a Glance
| Beach | Main appeal | Shoreline |
|---|---|---|
| Masouri | Convenience and views towards Telendos | Mainly sand |
| Kantouni | Beach time near cafés and restaurants | Mainly sand |
| Linaria | A smaller alternative beside Kantouni | Sand and small pebbles |
| Platys Gialos | Dark shoreline and western views | Dark sand and pebbles |
| Myrties | Swimming near the Telendos departure point | Mainly pebbles |
| Arginonta | A scenic bay on the northern coastal route | Sand and pebbles |
| Emporios | Combining swimming with village time | Mainly pebbles |
| Vlychadia | Two beaches in a southern bay | One sandy, one pebbly |
| Palionisos | A pebble beach beneath rugged hills | Pebbles |
1. Masouri Beach — A Convenient Starting Point
Masouri, also spelled Massouri, is one of the most practical beaches for a first visit to Kalymnos. Its sandy shoreline faces Telendos, with accommodation and restaurants in the surrounding village.
It is a good choice when you want to spend several hours by the sea without organising a separate excursion. Visitors staying nearby can return to their accommodation between swimming and lunch.
Organised sections operate during the visitor season, although sunbed arrangements and charges should be checked when you arrive.
The setting is part of the attraction: Telendos rises across the water, giving the beach a distinctive outlook even when you are simply sitting on the shore.
Best for: A straightforward beach day, nearby services and Telendos views.
2. Kantouni Beach — Sand and a Lively Coastal Setting
Kantouni is a sandy beach in the Panormos area, with cafés, restaurants and beach bars nearby.
It suits visitors who want to combine swimming with somewhere to eat or spend the evening. The surrounding businesses make it a useful option for a longer stay by the water.
Conditions can change with the wind, so assess the sea before entering. A sandy beach should not automatically be treated as calm or suitable for every swimmer.
Kantouni also works well as a base for a beach-focused holiday. For accommodation ideas in this area, see our Best Places to Stay in Kalymnos guide.
Best for: Combining swimming with cafés, meals and beach bars.
3. Linaria Beach — A Smaller Alternative near Kantouni
Linaria lies beside Kantouni and offers a shoreline of sand and small pebbles.
It is worth considering when you want to explore another beach in the Panormos area without making a lengthy journey across the island. Its smaller scale gives it a different character from the main visitor beach at Masouri.
Families may find it a useful option, but the conditions on the day should guide the decision. Check the entry into the water and supervise children closely.
Bring drinking water and sun protection, and check what food, shade and seating are available before settling in for the afternoon.
Best for: A smaller beach stop around Panormos.
4. Platys Gialos — Dark Sand and a Dramatic Setting
Platys Gialos, also written Platis Yialos, stands out for its dark sand and pebbles. Located near Panormos on the western side of Kalymnos, it offers a different appearance from the island’s paler beaches.
The contrast between the shoreline and blue water makes it an appealing place to spend time, particularly if you enjoy coastal scenery as much as swimming.
Do not assume that the water remains shallow close to shore. The seabed can deepen quickly, and waves can make entry and exit more demanding.
Choose it when conditions suit your swimming ability, and take care over hot sand and uneven stones.
Best for: A distinctive dark shoreline and coastal scenery.
5. Myrties Beach — A Pebble Shore Facing Telendos
Myrties has a mainly pebbly beach beside the settlement and near the departure point for boats to Telendos.
It is a practical place to combine time by the water with a meal or an island excursion. Water shoes may make entering the sea more comfortable if you find pebbles difficult underfoot.
Keep clear of the jetty and boat movements when choosing where to swim. The beach and the working waterfront share the same general area.
If you plan to cross to Telendos, confirm the boat arrangements before deciding how much time to spend on either island.
Our Things to Do in Telendos guide provides ideas for the visit.
Best for: A swim near Myrties and combining beach time with Telendos.
6. Arginonta Beach — A Scenic Stop on the Northern Coast
Arginonta sits in a deeply indented bay along the coastal route north from Masouri. Its sand-and-pebble shoreline provides a natural stopping point when exploring this part of Kalymnos.
The surrounding slopes give the bay much of its character. You can make it the main destination for a swim or combine it with a journey farther north.
Seasonal beach services are reported here, but arrangements can vary. Bring the essentials rather than relying on a particular business or sunbed section being open.
Allow enough time to enjoy the setting instead of treating Arginonta only as a roadside photograph.
Best for: Coastal scenery and a swimming stop while exploring northwards.
7. Emporios Beach — Swimming beside a Village
Emporios, also written Emborios or Emporeios, is a northern village overlooking a bay with a mainly pebbly beach.
The appeal is the combination of village life and time by the sea. Spend part of the day swimming, then leave room for lunch or a walk around the settlement.
Boats also use the bay, so choose your swimming area with care. Wind can alter the conditions, and the presence of a sheltered-looking inlet does not guarantee flat water.
Emporios works particularly well as an unhurried outing. Arrange your return transport before settling down for a long meal.
For dining ideas, see Best Places to Eat in Kalymnos.
Best for: Combining a beach visit with time in Emporios.
8. Vlychadia — Two Beaches in a Southern Bay
Vlychadia, also spelled Vlichadia, lies on the southern coast of Kalymnos. The bay contains two small beaches, one sandy and the other pebbly.
That choice makes it worth considering if members of your group prefer different shorelines. It also offers an alternative to spending every swimming day on the western coast.
The settlement has places to eat, making it possible to combine a swim with lunch. Confirm seasonal opening if you are visiting outside the main holiday period.
Bring a mask if you enjoy looking beneath the surface, while remaining aware of boats and the conditions around the bay.
Best for: A southern-coast outing and a choice between sand and pebbles.
9. Palionisos — A Pebble Bay beneath Rugged Hills
Palionisos, also written Palionissos, is a pebble beach on the eastern side of Kalymnos, enclosed by rugged hills.
It is a rewarding choice when the journey and landscape are part of your beach day. The bay feels different from the busier western visitor areas, although boats and other visitors may also be present.
Palionisos can be approached by land. Check current road conditions and the final parking and walking arrangements locally, rather than relying on older descriptions of the route.
Allow time for the journey, take water and wear footwear suitable for pebbles and any walk from your parking place.
Best for: A scenic excursion and a pebble-beach setting away from the main resorts.
Which Kalymnos Beaches Are Sandy?
Masouri and Kantouni are useful starting points if sand is your priority. Linaria combines sand with small pebbles, while Vlychadia offers a sandy beach alongside a separate pebbly one.
Platys Gialos has a darker shoreline of sand and pebbles. It provides a distinctive setting, but should not be chosen on the assumption of a shallow seabed.
Conditions and the distribution of stones can vary along a beach, so take a short look around before choosing where to settle.
Which Beaches Are Best for Families?
Masouri, Linaria and the sandy side of Vlychadia are worth considering, depending on your accommodation and the day’s conditions.
For families, convenience often matters as much as scenery. Think about:
- The distance from parking or accommodation.
- Shade and access to drinking water.
- Toilets and nearby food options.
- Waves, water depth and the entry underfoot.
- Boat traffic near swimming areas.
Choose the beach that suits your children’s swimming ability and needs on the day.
Can You Visit Beaches on Telendos?
Yes. A boat trip from Myrties allows you to include neighbouring Telendos in your holiday.
Telendos is a separate island, so its beaches should be planned as an excursion rather than treated as beaches you can reach by driving around Kalymnos.
Confirm your return crossing and allow time to walk between the landing point and your chosen beach.
Practical Tips for a Kalymnos Beach Day
Bring water, sun protection and footwear suitable for stones. Natural shade may be limited or already occupied, particularly at smaller beaches.
Check the forecast before travelling to a more distant bay. If conditions are unsuitable, choose another activity from our Things to Do in Kalymnos guide.
Avoid assuming that every beach has equipment hire, showers or lifeguards. At quieter locations, arrive prepared to provide your own essentials.