Why Visit
The beaches of Kimolos are small and quiet, ideal for loneliners.
The beaches around the port get more popular with tourists, but as you far away from Chorio and the port, you will find more isolate beaches. Psathi is the most popular beach as it is right on the port. Aliki and Kalamitsi, on the southern side, also get frequented. If you are interested in more quiet coasts, try Agios Georgios on the northern side. This is an impressive beach with white sand and crystal water.
History
The pristine, small and volcanic island of Kimolos is one of the least known Greek islands. Though a sparsely-inhabited island today, Kimolos history and tradition still survive to this day. The name of this island comes from the Greek word kimolia, which means chalk. Kimolos Was once a part of Milos Island, but got separated between two islands due to an earthquake.
The remnants of ancient Kimolos found in the nearby Koftou beach at the bottom of the sea are a testimony of the island's ancient habitation from the times of the Mycenaean period. In the ancient times, Kimolos was a battlefield between Athens, who was the ruler of the island, and Sparta, the ruler of the neighbouring Milos Island. In the Medieval times, the caves of Kimolos used to be shelters for pirates. From the 13th to the 16th century, Kimolos was part of the Venetian Duchy of the Cyclades.
It was once ruled by the Ottoman Empire like the rest of Greece. A holy woman named Osia Methodia become a martyr in Kimolos during the Turkish rule. Her memory is commemorated on 5th October on the island with big celebrations. In 1829, after the Greek War of Independence, Kimolos was deliberated from the Turks and became part of the newly-founded Greek state, along with the rest of the Cyclades islands.
Museums - Archeological
Kimolos played an important role throughout the prehistoric period and even to this day remains from that time can still be found. Many of these findings and remains are now kept in the Archaeological Museum of Kimolos, in Chorio village, right opposite the Metropolis church of Panagia Odigitria. The museum is housed in a traditional two storey building, one of the oldest in the village filled with ancient remains like vessels and statuettes from the ancient site of Ellinika.
In a beautiful mansion inside the medieval castle is housed the Folklore-Maritime Museum of Kimolos. Its collections range from rural items to pottery and relics as an aim to preserve the old tradition itself through an interesting journey in the old fashioned life of the island. Both museums are worth a visit.
Beaches
Agios Georgios, Aliki beach, Kalamitsi, Bonatsa, Dekas, Ellinika, Fikiada, Klima, Mavrospilia, Pigados, Psathi
Religious Monasteries and Churches
Churches, monasteries and picturesque chapels that preserve their simple beauty with all humility have been sown all over the island of Kimolos. The most impressive religious site is the cathedral, the church of Panagia Odigitria dedicated to the Virgin, the patron saint of Kimolos. The locals built this church between 1867 and 1874 where a religious feast takes place every year, on November 21th.
The byzantine churches of Panagia Evangelistria, Agios Taxiarchis (17th century), Chrissotomos (17th century), Agios Spyridon and Panagia Konomou (17th century) are all worth visiting monuments that give a taste from the past. Inside the castle walls (Mesa Kastro) is the chapel of Agia Methodia, and the Church of the Birth of the Christ built in 1592. Every church in Kimolos is a part of the island's history and on the name day of their saints, various festivals are held in the central square.
