Telendos Island
Small Greek island opposite Kalymnos, steep limestone cliffs
Tiny Dodecanese island off Kalymnos with cliffs, pebble coves and a car‑free village. Climbers and day‑trippers cross from Kalymnos for quiet beaches and straightforward rock routes.
Telendos at a Glance#
Address: Telendos, South Aegean, Greece
Admission: No admission; ferry cost from Kalymnos is small
About Telendos#
Telendos is a small Greek island in the Dodecanese, located off the west coast of the island of Kalymnos. It is pedestrian-only, with a small harbour settlement and limited buildings clustered along the shore.
The island is characterized by steep limestone cliffs that rise directly from the sea and attract rock climbers; there are also calm harbour waters and a handful of tavernas serving visitors. Regular short boat services connect Telendos with Kalymnos.
Telendos lies approximately 1 kilometre off the coast of Kalymnos in the Aegean Sea and is part of the South Aegean administrative region of Greece.
- Access and transport: There are no cars on the island and most arrivals are by short boat crossings from neighbouring Kalymnos; the crossing takes only minutes.
- Outdoor activity: The island is noted for steep limestone cliffs and routes used by rock climbers of varying difficulty.
How to Get to Telendos#
Regular passenger boats and caiques run from Pothia on Kalymnos to Telendos (a 5-10 minute crossing). Kalymnos is reached by ferry from Piraeus (Athens) or via nearby Kos by air and connecting ferry.
Tips for Visiting Telendos#
- Take the short public caique from Pothia (Kalymnos) rather than a private boat if the schedule fits-it's cheap and scenic.
- Walk the ridge that connects the harbour to the chapel ruins for views that repay the modest climb.
- Respect local rhythms: Telendos hosts few shops and many homes, so plan water and supplies.
Best Time to Visit Telendos#
Telendos is best visited in shoulder seasons for quiet hiking and in summer for swimming; connection by boat from neighboring Kalymnos is frequent.
Weather & Climate near Telendos#
Telendos's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (686 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 8° - 13° | 10° | 150 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 8° - 13° | 11° | 112 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 9° - 16° | 12° | 79 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 12° - 19° | 16° | 35 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 16° - 24° | 20° | 15 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 20° - 29° | 24° | 5 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 22° - 32° | 27° | 1 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 22° - 31° | 27° | 3 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 19° - 28° | 24° | 13 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 16° - 23° | 19° | 46 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 12° - 18° | 15° | 81 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 9° - 15° | 12° | 146 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
