The beach at Skala Kalloni is a long, gently sloping stretch of coarse sand and fine gravel at the head of the Gulf of Kalloni, a deep inlet that reaches 20 km into the interior of Lesbos. The water is shallow and warms quickly in summer, making it one of the most comfortable swimming beaches on the island for children. The beach extends for well over a kilometre, with beach bars at the village end and quieter stretches further along.
The gulf itself is as interesting as the beach. The sheltered, shallow water supports rich marine life — Kalloni sardines, cured in salt and olive oil, are a local delicacy sold throughout Lesbos and beyond — and the surrounding wetlands and salinas attract huge numbers of migrating birds in spring and autumn. Flamingos are regular visitors, and the gulf is well known among birdwatchers across Europe as a prime stopover location. Bring binoculars.