Is Telendos Worth Visiting?

Telendos was part of Kalymnos until a massive earthquake in 535 AD split the two apart, and the submerged ruins of the ancient city that once stood in the channel between them still sit visible to divers today.

Telendos sits just 700 meters from Kalymnos, across a strait crossed by small boats from the port of Myrties in about five to ten minutes. The island holds no cars and no roads, and its single settlement, also called Telendos, consists of narrow lanes, whitewashed houses, and a handful of seaside tavernas built around the small harbor.

On the northern tip of the island, the fortified settlement of Agios Konstantinos dates to the 7th century AD, built after residents retreated to the highlands to escape Arab raids, and its walls, a ruined medieval castle, and a frescoed chapel still stand today. Telendos also holds the remains of an ancient theatre, a Roman-era pottery workshop, and three Byzantine basilicas, including one of the best preserved on either island. Massive vertical crags along the coast have made the island one of the more established climbing destinations in the Dodecanese, with routes bolted into limestone that draw climbers from Kalymnos and beyond.

Telendos has been declared a Natura 2000 protected area for its role sheltering endangered bird species, and hiking trails reach the island's highest point, ancient basilicas, and the chapel of Saint George, perched on rocks above the sea and considered one of the better spots on the island to watch the sunset. Potha, near the harbor, offers the most accessible swimming with calm, shallow water, while Hohlakas and Paradise sit further out and draw travelers looking for real solitude.

Fewer than 100 people live on Telendos year-round, and while many visitors arrive as day-trippers from Kalymnos, staying at least one night lets the island empty out into something closer to a private retreat. It suits travelers wanting real quiet, climbing, and hiking without cars or crowds, and its beaches and ruins give it plenty to explore beyond a quick afternoon visit.