Kimolos: Island Coast, History and Nature

Kimolos combines a varied island coastline with traces of ancient settlements, museums and remarkable natural sites. The island covers 36 km² and has a 38 km coastline with numerous coves, islets, sandy and rocky beaches, and sea caves. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether you are most interested in exploring coastal landscapes, observing nature or discovering the island’s history.

Coast and Nature on Kimolos

The landscape is not defined by the coastline alone. The Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows around Kimolos provide shelter for many fish. In spring, numerous migratory birds gather in the wetland at Aliki Beach. Those interested in plants will find a diverse Mediterranean flora on the island: more than 400 common and rare species have been recorded, including numerous aromatic and medicinal plants.

One unusual natural landmark is Skiadi, a huge natural limestone mushroom. The ruins on Paliokastro Hill also tell stories of the past: the remains of a castle and a tower of unknown age stand on its summit. Both places offer a different perspective on Kimolos from its coastal scenery, though they do not form a single route.

Archaeology, Settlement History and Museums

The Archaeological Museum of Kimolos in Chorio displays finds from various sites around the island. They span the period from prehistory to late antiquity. The museum is housed in a traditional two-storey residence dating from the 19th century, opposite the Metropolitan Church of Panagia Odigitria. Visitors to Chorio can therefore encounter both archaeological collections and the island’s religious architecture.

The capital, Horio, consists of Mesa Kastro and Exo Kastro. Mesa Kastro is arranged around the original core of the medieval castle. The traditional Castle of Kimolos, known as the Kastro, houses the Folk and Maritime Museum of Kimolos. On display are intricate embroideries and woven textiles handmade by Kimolian women in centuries past. The collections offer different ways to learn about the island: archaeological finds on the one hand, and traditional craftsmanship and maritime history on the other.

Eight churches on Kimolos are considered monuments of special archaeological and historical importance and are protected by the Ministry of Culture. Osia Methodia is also part of the island’s religious history: she lived in her hermitage near “Stiadi,” in the uninhabited Inner Castle of Kimolos, beside the Sacred Church of the Birth of the Lord, which dates to 1592. On 5 October 1991, her remains were transferred again to the Sacred Church of Panagia Odigitria. They are still kept there at the holy pilgrimage site and venerated by devout Christians.

Special Places and Island Cuisine

In the Ellinika–Mavrospilia area, the remains of a sunken ancient city lie in shallow water. The beach is also home to numerous tombs dating from the Mycenaean to the Hellenistic period. A very different feature awaits you at Agioklima Beach, where a hot spring flows. If these contrasts appeal to you, you can take them into account when choosing experiences for your stay.

The cuisine also adds to Kimolos’s distinctive character. Ladenia is an island specialty made with dough, fresh tomatoes, onions and olive oil. Bakeries also sell tirenia, elenia—a bread filled with Koroni olives—and rusks with mastic seeds. You can get to know Kimolos through its island dishes and baked goods, too.

Getting There and Getting Around

Kimolos lies at the southwestern edge of the Cyclades, next to Milos and 87 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus. Conventional ferries and high-speed boats serve Piraeus. A bus runs between Chorio, the port and the island’s beaches.

More places to discover: Ganema, Triovasalos, Voudia, Sifnos, Pachena, Vathí, Trypiti and Adamantas.

For the main travel overview: Milos.