Shopping in Kalymnos Island - authentic goods, best outlets, malls and boutiques

The first thing you should buy on Kalymnos is sponges. After the invention of synthetic analogues, the popularity of natural sponges fell but most of the inhabitants of the island still produce them. The best place to buy sponge is a local market, try to find those which have been less subjected to chemical treatment. They are quite inexpensive here, and you can bring such interesting and practical souvenir to all your friends, family and colleagues. Sponges can be easily packaged and can take them home.

The second popular item is olive oil. Greeks love it and they widely produce oil on the island. You won't find a kitchen in Greece without a couple of olive oil bottles. The most high quality product is cold pressed Extra-Virgin Olive Oil with low acidity level. You can find it in plastic bottles, jerrycans or gift packages in the shape of famous Greek characters. If you have bought olive oil in a tin package, it is better to pour it into a plastic bottle, otherwise, the taste of the product will change.

Natural cosmetics are also popular here. It has become popular in Greece in recent years. The most popular product is soup, which can be found everywhere on Kalymnos. It is a handmade product made according to a simple technique. Greek soap is a high quality natural product with a variety of smells: from grapefruit to tea. Moreover, it is popular not only among tourists. Shampoos, lotions, creams and scrubs are based on olive oil too. You should buy these products in pharmacies or specialized shops. However, it is cheaper on markets, but you can't be sure about product composition. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Sweet teeth will like local lokum, baklava, kozinaki and nougat. Moreover, you can try local chocolate sweets. They are sold by weight with a variety of toppings. A pack of coffee is a nice gift too. Greeks love this drink and it is always a high quality product here. The coffee machine is a nice idea too. Be sure to buy a bottle of local retsina. Look for it in the refrigerators of local supermarkets, but not on the shelves with wine because it is served chilled. Local wines also deserve your attention. There are more than 70 types of it on the island. Local cognac Metaxa, grape vodka grappa and anise vodka ouzo are extremely popular on the island. Remember that the last one is always diluted with water.

Komboloi can be an interesting souvenir for travellers. It is a local variant of beads. It is twenty beads strung on a solid thread. Komboloi is not a cult object, it is usually used for relaxation and concentration. The material of the item shows the social status of a person. They can be made of wood, clay and semi-precious stones. You can also buy matopetra. This souvenir is well-known among superstitious people. It is believed that this stone protects from the evil eye.

You can also buy jewellery on the island. Masters work in a unique Byzantine technique which is used only in Greece. Moreover, there is a chance to buy an accessory and admire the process of its production. A local painting is an original gift. Artists from all over the world come here to capture amazing views. Cult objects are very popular here. You can find various icons on Kalymnos.