The village has drawn criticism worldwide for its various hazing incidents, such as the 2017 death of 12 year old Krystas Mitroglou.

Kallithea is situated in the central part of the island of Lemnos, west of the Gulf of Moudros.

The village was mentioned as Sarpin in a census document of the Great Lavra monastery in 1361.

Due to pirate attacks and other risks of its low location, its residents were forced to resettle, probably in the 18th century.

It was funded by Doukas Palaiologos (1790–1870), a descendant of a family of captains from Sarpi who had an insurance firm in England.