Kalymnos Lipsi Ferry

The Kalymnos Lipsi ferry route connects Dodecanese Islands with Dodecanese Islands and is currently operated by 3 ferry companies. Dodekanisos Seaways operate their crossing up to 10 times per week, Blue Star Ferries 2 times per week & the SAOS Ferries service is available up to 2 times per week.

There are a combined 14 sailings available per week on the Kalymnos Lipsi crossing between Dodecanese Islands and Dodecanese Islands and with 3 ferry companies on offer it is advisable to compare all to make sure you get the best fare at the time that you want to travel.

Kalymnos Guide

Kalymnos Ferry Port

Not many nations across the world can boast to have a moniker as unique (or indeed as strange) as the “Sponge-diving Island”, of Kalymnos. The odd nickname is a throwback to the Greek island’s thriving sponge trade when local divers, armed with just a harpoon and a lungful of air, trawled the bottom of the surrounding Aegean Sea in search of so-called “Kalymnian gold”. Such is the importance of sponges to the island’s culture that an annual Sponge Week celebration is held to honour the bravery of divers through the telling of poems, the singing of songs, and even the showing of tribute films. Nowadays Kalymnos is a millionaires’ playground, teeming with wealthy Greeks who want to while away the hours in the glorious warmth of the Mediterranean sun. The island is shaped by a rough and ragged coastline and a landscape of barren hills; their steep slopes marked by solitary pine trees clinging desperately to the rocks. Yet the desolate backcountry is a stark contrast to the beauty of Kalymnos town, where a pristine promenade hugs the deep-blue waters of a bay and narrow streets play host to white-washed buildings topped with terracotta tiles. The entire town is huddled at the foot of a valley; one side coloured by a rare swathe of deep-green where the lemon and tangerine groves of Pothia grow. The port in Kalymnos covers most of the town’s waterfront and consists largely of small piers and jetties lined with yachts that roll with the gentle swell of the waves. The ferry terminal is found on the largest of these piers at the western edge of the bay, just beside a sharp-angled, S-shaped breakwater. It is a small facility consisting of little more than a car-park and a designated section of the roadside where ferries make anchor. Though the port is located in the heart of Kalymnos’ main urban centre, travelling further afield can prove difficult due to the island’s harsh terrain and largely remote nature. The best way to get around is by following the single, main road that circles around the spine of mountains that cut across the region from the south-east to the north-west. This route – regularly traversed by local buses - leads directly from the ferry terminal, slices through Kalymnos town, and snakes away to the smaller villages of Mirties, Arginonta, and Vathis. A wide range of ferry routes currently operate from the port throughout the week, most hopping to the multitude of neighbouring islands. Services hosted by Dodekanisos Seaways sail to Arki, Fournoi, Agios Kirikos, Pyhagorio, Agathonisis, Lipsi, and Chalki as well as sharing the journey to Symi, Rhodes, Tilos, Patmos, Nisyros, Leros, and Kos with Blue Star Ferries. Blue Star Ferries also travel to Astypalea, Kastelorizo and the city of Piraeus on the Greek mainland.

Lipsi Guide

Lipsi Ferry Port

Lipsi is a tiny Greek Island geographically located between Patmos and Leros, resting on the Aegean Sea. There are several routes departing from Lipsi Port, nearly all of them are fairly short and head to other nearby Greek Islands. Only those who are in need of a truly relaxing, tranquil holiday make their way over to the quiet beaches and crystal waters of Lipsi. The only activity that is required on the island is to climb the hiking trails that lead to some of the beaches, or board the small buses that transport passengers to the more secluded areas. The beaches may be slightly inconvenient to reach, yet there lies their charm; they are all largely untouched by tourism and offer a unique landscape that is unlike any other. The main town offers the usual selection of quaint cafes and souvenir shops, with the occasional hidden gem for keen shoppers. The traditional Greek restaurants generally serve fish fresh from the waters – a popular choice for anyone who enjoys seafood. Most of the restaurants and hotels are located in the town, yet they are within walking distance of all the main beaches, including the beautiful Platis Gialos Beach. Lipsi’s beauty lies in its small size; the island is entirely accessible by foot so tourists will have no problem getting around. Most locals or resort workers will be happy to point visitors in the direction of the port should they need assistance.