By Nicolas Bard

Kimolos is an island of Western Cyclades, which if you look at it from above is the shape of a regular pentagon, 7 miles in diameter and coastal development of about 40 kilometers. The island was named after the white rock, known by the black chalk. The largest settlement of the island is the country, or a village as the locals call it. There the heart of the island literally beats, and you will find everything you need.

The picturesque village is built at the foothills of the vigil, and stands out for its stone, white houses, blossoming courtyards and picturesque cobbled streets with the whitewashed “joints”, an image that looks like a true painting and is extremely representative of its authentic.

The oldest residential core is the castle, around which the settlement was developed since the end of the 17th century, but mainly after the Greek Revolution. So, as a rule, the closer to the castle a house is, the older it is. In the village of Kimolos you will not find a large central square, but several small, such as Theoskepasti, Kampos (with the playground) or school (with nice views).

Wandering the settlement you will see many picturesque churches. Many of them are from the 17th century and keep in place of important images, mainly works by Emmanuel Priest Skordilis, Cretan hagiographer and secondary Sifnos. The temples still have remarkable wood -carved or painted icons and interesting, straightforward, Cycladic architecture. Opposite the Church of Our Lady of Odigitria you will see the Archaeological Museum, while in the castle the Folklore Museum of Kimolos.

But apart from the historic castle, the beautiful churches, the museums and the picturesque squares, the village beats louder than anywhere else the heart of the summer life of the whole island. There you will be able to find quite a few rented accommodation for your stay, taverns, cafes, bars and many shops to get the necessary. Starting from the village, you can design your routes and excursions to the rest of the island and its exotic beaches.

Undoubtedly the most popular beach on the island is Prassa (or leeks), with the white beach and the turquoise waters, as well as the Kara area, which is located quite close to the village, but instead of the beach it has white rocks and clear blue waters. Still, unforgettable dives will be on the beaches of Gupa – stream, in Psathi, Klima, Bonatsa, Alyki and Mavrodilia, where the ancient city of the island is submerged in its shallow waters. From this coast you will have the opportunity to enjoy a very magical sunset.