Telendos, the hidden paradise of the Dodecanese, will spoil you. There’s no lack of tiny picturesque islands in Greece, but Telendos is among the fascinating ones. With a surface of less than five square kilometers and just 750 meters away from nearby Kalymnos, Telendos is a must-see island for your visit to the Dodecanese. And although less than 100 people live on the island, there are several unique experiences on its soil.
On my recent journey to this side of Greece, I had the opportunity to explore the unspoiled island of Telendos. Its slow rhythms and breathtaking landscape had a great impact on me, and in this Telendos guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about it. Specifically, in the following lines, you’ll find out how you can visit Telendos and the best things to do on the island. In addition, you’ll also discover the best beaches, accommodation options, and places to eat.
So, let’s start with the travel guide to Telendos and how you can make the most of your vacation.
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How to get to Telendos
The island’s port is far from busy. In fact, you will only see some scattered fishing boats, and that’s it. That said, you can’t visit Telendos by ferry or any other transportation means.
The only way to get to Telendos is with the vessels from nearby Myrties on the island of Kalymnos. Myrties is one of the main tourist hubs of Kalymnos, and from its pier, you can find small boats to Telendos. There is constant service between the two islands, and the itineraries start early in the morning. The last departure from each island is around midnight, but expect earlier departures off-season.
Once again, depending on the season, the vessels depart every half hour, but in the summer’s peak, it can also be every twenty minutes. A one-way ticket currently costs 3 euros per person. The journey is fast and usually takes less than ten minutes.
Fun fact: Thousands of years ago, Kalymnos and Telendos were one island. However, due to a series of earthquakes, the two islands got separated.
Bonus tip
Since you can only travel from Kalymnos to Telendos, you obviously need to reach the tiny port at Myrties. Hopefully, Kalymnos has an airport, and you can reach the island from Athens. You can use the flight search engine of KiWi for the best routes between your hometown and Kalymnos.
Alternatively, if you already have your tickets to Athens, you can check the itineraries of Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air here.
After landing in Kalymnos, you will need to reach Myrties in order to get to Telendos. Although there is a bus service in Kalymnos, it’s not that convenient. The easiest way to travel between Kalymnos Airport and Myrties is by taxi. There will be plenty of them outside the airport, and the cost is affordable.
Things to do in Telendos
Telendos is an ideal destination for people who want a relaxing vacation close to nature. As you’ve read earlier, the island is tiny, and just a handful of people reside there. Therefore, it’s not hard to imagine that there are just a few things to do in Telendos. However, for nature lovers and hikers of any level, there’s no lack of activities.
So, let’s see what there’s to do in Telendos, Greece.
Explore the island’s only settlement
There’s only one settlement in Telendos. Its name is also Telendos, and it’s the place where you’ll disembark from the vessel. The “busiest” area is the waterfront promenade, where you will find the island’s tavernas and mini-markets. Walking the scattered side streets will give you some excellent impressions of local island life.
On the main settlement, you’ll also find your accommodation options (more on that later). In general, the fishing village is small, and you can walk from edge to edge in a couple of minutes. Every path to the island’s beaches starts from there, and if you decide to stay overnight in Telendos, that’s the place you’ll explore.
During the day, you should expect daytrippers from Kalymnos; therefore, the place might be busier, but it won’t be crowded. However, spending a night in Telendos’ only settlement is a majestic experience: you’ll feel like belonging to a tiny group of privileged people.
Enjoy the stunning beaches of Telendos
Known for its crystal clear waters and raw landscape, Telendos is one of the best places in Greece to leave everything behind. Apart from one or two spots, you won’t really find sunbeds or umbrellas on the island’s beaches. However, for an island its size, there are enough beaches to visit, and here’s what you need to know about them.
Plaka Beach. That’s the first beach straight after the port. It’s small but fine if you want a quick dip before unwinding at a nearby tavern.
Potha Beach. Straight out of the island’s only settlement, you’ll find Potha. A small part of it is organized with sunbeds but don’t expect something overwhelming. The water is clear, and there’s a mixture of sand and pebbles.
Paradise Beach. That’s the nudist beach of Telendos, and you can find it straight after Potha. That’s a small bay, and the only negative thing is that the sun disappears rather early due to the impressive rock on its back. However, it’s one of the best places to swim.
Chochlakas Beach. While the three previous beaches overlook Kalymnos, Chochlakas lies behind the main settlement. For me, that’s the best beach in Telendos due to its impressive rocky landscape. Black pebbles and sand create a fantastic environment, and the water is often cold. You can easily reach Chochlakas Beach by following the path next to the school and climbing a small hill. It’s a very easy walk, and you won’t need more than ten minutes to reach it. Don’t miss it.
Pnigmenos Beach. Twenty minutes out of the main settlement, you can find Pnigmenos Beach. It’s an easy hike that passes next to the Early Christian Necropolis of the island. Bring water and some food, as there’s no place to get provisions.
Hike (or climb) to the island’s peak, Rachi
Telendos has various hiking trails for amateur and experienced hikers. One of the best things to do in Telendos is to hike the impressive rock that is visible from nearby islands. Its name is Rachi (460 m), and the trail starts from the harbor of Telendos. There are maps that you can purchase from the stores, but I think the guidelines from the locals are enough.
Alternatively, you can also climb the rock, but for this, you will need to join a group and be an experienced climber. In general, both Kalymnos and Telendos are known as climbers’ islands, and they offer various opportunities for every level of expertise.
Walking the barren land of Telendos is a unique experience. There are several well-mapped routes, and if hiking to Rachi sounds too much, you can alternatively choose one of the easier routes. Once again, the paths to the Basilica of Agios Georgios and Tholaria or to the fortified Byzantine settlement of Agios Konstantinos start from the port’s heart. Various archaeological sites are scattered on the small island, and you’ll come across places like the Early Christian Baths while strolling around.
Even if you’re not that much of a hiker, it deserves to follow a path for a few hundred meters and be exposed to the island’s beauty.
Go on a sunset tour with the Princess of Telendos
The owners of the taverna “On the Rocks” organize sunset tours. The vessel is not bigger than the ones that will bring you to Telendos, but that’s a special trip for enjoying the sunset. The boat’s name is Princess of Telendos, and that’s not because of the vessel’s retro style.
The “Princess of Telendos” derives from a myth, according to which a beautiful local princess was transformed into a stone. She falsely thought that her prince was drowned, and devastated by grief, she became a stone. Nowadays, when sailing from Kalymnos to Telendos, you can spot her face on the rock of the island.
To return to the Telendos sunset tour, you can ask directly at “On the Rocks” and book it straight. Alternatively, you can also enjoy a Telendos tour with the same boat.
Telendos travel tip. “On the Rocks” and the mini-market sell local products. The island is famous for its honey and herbs. Don’t miss the chance to support the local economy and bring some delicious products back home.
Where to stay in Telendos, Greece
The island hosts just a couple of accommodations. I strongly recommend spending at least one night on the island when the daytrippers are gone, and the island feels like a private paradise. Of course, spending your entire holiday in Telendos is a fantastic option, too, especially if you want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of Mirties and Massouri in Kalymnos.
In this section of the Telendos travel guide, you’ll find the best accommodations on the island. Make sure to book your room early because everything is sold out during the high season. And, as I stated, there are just a couple of places to stay.
Hotel Porto Potha. That’s the only hotel on the island, and it’s a fantastic place to stay. The rooms are spacious and clean, and there’s a swimming pool for its guests. Porto Potha is located just 500 meters out of the island’s only settlement and just a few steps away from the beaches of Potha and Paradise. You can book your room at Hotel Porto Potha here.
Principessa. Principessa is probably the most unique accommodation on the island. Located straight in front of the water, Principessa is a beautiful house that comes with a plus: apart from the regular bedroom, there’s a double bed on the terrace. You will probably find it rarely available, but if you do, go for it. You can book Principessa here.
Suites Dreams Telendos. That’s one more fantastic accommodation in Telendos (although it’s listed under Kalymnos). These brand-new sophisticated suites offer a wonderful stay on the picturesque island. The suites are conveniently located close to Paradise and Pothia Beach. You can book your room at Suites Dreams Telendos here.
Front Line. If you’d rather have a small apartment for your Telendos holiday, Front Line is the place to book. Located in the settlement’s heart, it’s ideal for longer stays. You can book Front Line here.
Where to eat in Telendos
For an island its size, Telendos seems to have enough eateries to keep you occupied for a week. Most of them are located on the waterfront promenade, and the food they serve is delicious. Obviously, you shouldn’t miss the chance to taste fresh fish (from the day’s catch), octopus, and “fylla,” a local dish consisting of rice and minced meat wrapped in vegetables.
Greek tavernas is Telendos
Here’s the list of the island’s tavernas. Each link will open on Google Maps, so you can save them for your visit.
Cafes & Bars
Quite obviously, Telendos is not a nightlife hotspot. However, the island has two cafe bars where you can enjoy a drink at night. The places also serve snacks throughout the day.
- Odyssey
- On the Rocks (the place where you can book the sunset tour).
Telendos travel guide: Final thoughts
Telendos is one of the lesser-known Greek islands, and most people have never probably heard of it. Its proximity to Kalymnos make it an ideal destination for a fantastic holiday in Greece. Moreover, the regular itineraries between the two islands mean that you can also explore the (busier) island of Kalymnos but return to the tranquility of Telendos.
Beauty lies off the beaten path, and Telendos is perfect for nature lovers seeking some relaxing days. Although you can see the whole island in just one day, I recommend staying at least one night there. The serene landscape, the impressive rock, and the marvelous beaches and hiking trails make Telendos one of the best places in Greece for unwinding next to the sea.
More about the Dodecanese: Kalymnos guide, Nisyros guide, Tilos guide, Astypalaia guide, Kos day trips
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Last Updated on July 22, 2023 by George Pavlopoulos