Telendos

Telendos

Telendos is a small island just half a mile off the west coast of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese, 0.8 square kilometres of steep mountain and pine trees rising to 460 metres at Rachi. Once connected to Kalymnos until an earthquake in 554 AD severed it, its one small settlement lies on its eastern shore facing Myrties, with pebbled beaches and rock climbing cliffs visible from Kalymnos Town.

Known for its car-free quiet and for the ruins of the early Christian basilica of Agios Vasilios, Telendos has a handful of tavernas and rooms and is reached by a 10-minute boat from Myrties. Uninhabited except for around 70 residents, it is popular with climbers and day-trippers looking for a slower pace than Kalymnos, with hiking trails leading to the abandoned village of Mikro Chorio and the deserted monastery above.

The 4.6 sq km mountainous islet 700 metres off Kalymnos split by 6th century earthquake

Telendos is a small Greek island in southeastern part of Aegean Sea, less than 1 km from coast of Kalymnos, about 700 metres off coast, 800 m wide channel, 750 meters off Kalymnos, only 750 meters off Dodecanese. Telendos lies about 700 metres off coast of Kalymnos of which it was once part. Before devastating earthquake that struck region in 6th century AD, Telendos and Kalymnos were one. In 535 AD Kalymnos experienced huge earthquake with tremors that lasted 14, Telendos became separate rocky islet lying off west coast. On bed of sea important ruins have been found of ancient buildings in large city tentatively identified as Pothaea original island capital.

Area approximately 4,6 sq, islet of about five km², area of five square kilometers, terrain mountainous with Rachi 458 m as highest peak, at altitude 459 meters. Population approximately 57 people live in Telendos, 2021 population stood at 66, permanently inhabited by about fifty people. Municipality Kalymnos, regional unit Kalymnos, Dodecanese. One village with marina, few taverns, few accommodations, listed traditional settlement and castle, ancient name Keleris, Hellenic fort observed in N part, ruins Roman and later throughout.

This is for you if you want car-free escape 10 minutes from Massouri Myrties. It is not for cars or nightlife; no roads.

Why there are no cars and why climbers treat it as separate island

Critical access: there are no cars on island, no motorbikes, no paved roads, only paved area is promenade leading from boat jetty, except once-a-morning rubbish tricycle collecting daily rubbish. Absence of engines makes Telendos one of quietest islands in Greece where only sounds are sea, wind, occasional goat bell. To reach you go to Myrties 10 km from main town Kalymnos town and take small boat harbour 10 min, ferries run every 30 minutes between Masouri and Telendos village, €2.50 each way in 2021, small caique not car ferry.

Directory nuance: Kalymnos is 111 sq km with 17,000 inhabitants and world climbing capital, but Telendos is its overshadowed twin that devotees prefer — spectacular cliffs, very few people, no cars, many lovely beaches and walks, between 25 and 50 routes 4b to 7b sport climbing with pockets and crimps, climbing on Telendos until evening then meal in village looking at colours reflected from rocks on Kalymnos as sun sets behind hills. Terrain mountainous Rachi 458 m dominates view from west coast. Because it split in 554-535 AD, underwater ruins of ancient Pothaea lie on seabed between islands, so snorkelling reveals city that was original capital.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telendos | There are no cars on island 2021 population stood 66 Telendos was joined Kalymnos becoming separated 6th century AD following series earthquakes
  2. https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g658917-d7088131-Reviews-Telendos-Telendos_Dodecanese_South_Aegean.html | Telendos lies about 700 metres off coast Kalymnos which once part bed sea important ruins found ancient buildings large city tentatively identified Pothaea original island capital terrain mountainous Rachi 458 m highest peak
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalymnos | Kalymnos neighboured small island Telendos which was once part Kalymnos but split off after major earthquake 554 now separated channel water about 800 m wide
  4. https://brilliant-tourism.com/2025/01/22/telendos-island/ | small Greek island southeastern Aegean Sea less than 1 km coast Kalymnos Before devastating earthquake struck region 6th century AD Telendos Kalymnos were one area approximately 4 6 sq
  5. https://www.greece.com/destinations/dodecanese/kalymnos/telendos/ | Telendos altitude 459 meters Approximately 57 people live in Telendos Locations near Settlement Massouri Port Myrties Other Names Keleris ancient
  6. https://www.meraviglioseisolegreche.com/telendos-kalymnos/ | Once Telendos Kalymnos all one until powerful earthquake 535 AD divided giving life small pearl sea area five square kilometers permanently inhabited about fifty people only one village marina few taverns taste excellent fresh fish no roads so no cars mopeds
  7. https://www.getgreece.com/telendos-island/ | no cars no motorbikes no paved roads Telendos Atmosphere absence engines makes Telendos one quietest islands Greece only sounds sea wind occasional goat bell

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Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by admin