Villa Melina

Top choice in Kalymnos


Set in a colourful walled garden, this rose-pink 1930s villa exudes old-world charm, its wood-panelled rooms featuring stucco ceilings, lilac walls, mahogany armoires and huge beds. Don’t expect luxury – it’s all slightly faded – but the delightful, kind and gentle owner Antonios and his cats provide a homey welcome, the bathrooms are spotless, and the large, sparkling swimming pool irresistible.

For families there are also four cosy apartments (€75) in the garden.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kalymnos attractions

1. Archaeological Museum

0.04 MILES

Kalymnos’ modern Archaeological Museum is tricky to find, hidden in the backstreets behind the eastern end of Pothia’s waterfront. It’s worth the effort…

2. Nautical & Folklore Museum

0.25 MILES

On the central waterfront, this is more of a collection than a museum. The nautical section focuses on sponge fishing, displaying mighty stone weights…

3. Kalymnian House Museum

0.79 MILES

This private folk museum, located on the road past the turn-off to St Savvas, southwest of Pothia, is choc-a-block with old costumes, household goods and…

4. St Valsamidis

1.82 MILES

This unorthodox collection is the life's work of a local Kalymnian man, Stavros Valsamidis, who for 48 years undertook private dives, and amassed items…

5. Mastihari Beach

8.85 MILES

Fully serviced by the operators who rent out sunbed, brollies, wi-fi and more, the lovely sandy strip of Mastihari is great for families. It does get…

6. Kohilari Beach

12.61 MILES

This beach is for those who want a nature-based experience on a remote strip and small dunes behind. It is also for people who don't mind wind. This is…

7. Paradise Beach

14.12 MILES

Despite the fact that it's one long 12km stretch of golden sand, Paradise Beach, the pearl of the island's beaches, is broken down into a number of…

8. War Museum

14.36 MILES

Who remembers now that a major WWII battle was fought on this remote little island? After British troops forced the Italians to surrender in September…