Kos's Archaeological Sites, Castles, Monasterys, Churches, Beaches and Villages.

A Photo Guide for sightseeing the Greek Holiday Island of Kos including visits to Kos Castle - The Ancient Agora - Andimachia Castle - Asklepieion - Old Pili and Mount Dikeos.

The Greek Island of Kos is well known for it's quite extensive archaeological sites and it's castles as well as of course the large amount of beaches available to holidaymakers. The island in truth is not particularly scenic when compared with other Greek Islands like Crete, Paxos, Andros and Lesbos etc. - the island is mostly quite flat and in the summer months can look fairly dull although without doubt earlier in the year there are obviously loads of flowers and shrubs around. However one part of Kos is very scenic all year round and that is up in the villages (Zia and Old Pyli), hills and the mountain areas around Mount Dikeos. Our photo guide just shows some of the things to look at if you hire a car or scooter and want to do some sightseeing whilst on the island. There is also a really nice walk described out of Zia up to the top of Mount Dikeos and back - it's beautiful up there.

 

Kos Town - The Ancient Agora. (Old Market Place)

 

Kos Town - Odeum. Built in the 2nd Century AD the Odeum had to have thick walls built around it as there was no natural height availabe to create the amphitheatre. Originally there was marble seating available at lower levels for use by the rich and influential whilst everyone else had to use simple stone seating - quite of lot of this area at the Odeum has been restored now.

 

Western Archaeological Site - Kos Town.

 

The Asklepeio - Kos. Located around 3.5kms outside of Kos Town the Asklepieion - which translates to "healing temple" dates from the 2nd century BC.

 

Andimachia Castle - located a little outside of Kardamena (Kos). The castle is reached by a metal road so lots of people drive up there however you can also walk or cycle to the castle - actually this is a much shorter distance if you go from for instance Kardamena. If you head for the cemetery which is located on the outskirts of Kardamena and continue along past it you arrive at the start of a re-built path. This undulates a little but mostly climbs up to reach the old car park just outside of Andimachia Castle. The castle walls from the outside are still very impressive however once inside much of the area is in a poor state. There are signs saying restoration in condjunction with the EU has/is taking place but apart from one of the churches looking like it has had some attention there is little sign elsewhere. Nevertheless this huge castle does have lots of interest and is worth visiting - you just sometimes need some imagination to picture what it was obviously once like.

 

Old Pili - it's village and Byzantine Castle ruins. Old Pili - also known as Paleo Pili - is situated up amongst Kos's hills and is reached by taking the road from Amaniou. On the way up this road it's worth mentioning a really nice taverna which you may care to visit called Old Pili Taverna. From their terrace you can have a nice Greek salad or similar and enjoy some really good views across Kos's mountain sides and flat lands. Once you reach the end of the surfaced road there is a parking area by some springs and drinking troughs - this is goat territory. To reach Old Pili's ruins take the path on the left which is signed to the castle - this path climbs and brings you firstly to a small church and then you continue a little further to reach the ruined houses. The path to the castle is not marked for some reason however just before the first house go left and you soon reach the set of steps leading up to the castle. Once up at the Byzantine castle (which was built in the 12th century) you get pretty good views but it is in a pretty poor condition unfortunately - you need to take care because of unguarded steps, holes and some drops. Return back to the old village buildings (some of which pre-date the castle as parts are from 1088) - the village was abandoned in the 1830s after a cholera outbreak. Some of the buildings have started to be renovated especially the ones further up the hillside. One of these buildings has now been turned into a cafe. On returning to the car park just before reaching it you can take a path on the right - which soon becomes nicely cobbled - this leads you slowly down to have a look at Ag. Basileios church - there are several seats, trees and goats around here.

 

Mount Dikeos. The following describes one of the few walks on paths that we could find whilst on holiday on Kos.

Zia up to Mount Dikeos and back. This walk starts off in the mountain village of Kia and soon gets you onto one of the few paths available for walking on the island. It takes you up through pine forests and then along ridges - generally speaking there is no problem with vertigo although one part of the path near the top is somewhat thin. There are considerable drops usually to the left of the path when up on the ridge - with the slopes going off at around 30 degrees. The climb is around 555 metres and distance from Zia to the top is only around 3.9kms but particularly in the summer months it's best to start early as this is quite a hot and strenuous walk - underfoot there is often rock and scree and you really need walking boots or very good trainers. There are thankfully no facilities once you leave Zia so take plenty of water - also you need to be aware of possibly very strong winds once you get up to the church right at the top [N36°50'02.61" E027°12'25.42"]. When we walked this in early July we only saw 3 other people - so particularly if you intend walking alone it is worth telling somebody where you are going. If you start early or on Mondays there is car-parking easily available in the centre of Zia but the village does get filled with tourists from mid morning onwards and parking can then be difficult.
From the main square walk up to the bus stop (which is on the right) and take a narrow alleyway on the right going in between shops. Turn right at the end and walk along a narrow lane soon passing a watermill (it's a taverna as well) - continue up steps and go through another taverna to reach a church. Turn right and continue along looking out for a sign wihich says "way to the mountain".

If you are unsure ask any of the shopkeepers who are very happy to point out the correct way. Continue climbing out of the village and soon go onto a concrete road then as you pass a house on the right turn right onto a dirt road. Follow this and just after passing a chapel on the right go through a gate in front of you - the dirt track now swings off round the hill and you will meet it again later. Go through the gate and head half right up across the rocks - initially the way is vague but you soon acheive a proper clear route. Follow the path which climbs steadily and then arrives at the dirt road - turn left and follow the road for a while - you pass by a farm on the left and then after a dip you pass a house on the left. Around 250 metres from here look out for a marked path heading into the forest on the left - from here the path is always well marked with red arrows and dots. Just follow it on up into the mountain - it is mostly through forest but eventually you come out into the open and start to get some really excellent views of everywhere - also the rocks are gorgeous. Always keeping to the marked path you eventually go up over rocks and reach a more open plateau - from here the path bears left, drops down a little and then goes on round the left hand side of the mountain. This is perhaps the only part of the walk where vertigo sufferers might be a bit iffy. You can clearly see the Greek Flag up and ahead - this is the top. There is a mountain refuge at the top and if you follow the path to the right you will reach the really lovely little Church of Christ and a little further on a trig point marking the highest point.
Returning is obviously a re-trace - however when you get to the Watermill you might want to stop in there, sit under some shady trees, perhaps take a look at the mill workings and then enjoy a large glass of home made lemonade.

 

Out and About around Kos - Asfendiou. Once you leave Zia and head back towards the main road you come to a large church called The Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation which is located by a road junction. Apart from having a closer look at this interesting church - if you turn right at the junction you soon arrive at the village of Asfendiou. There are lots of really interesting ruined buildings especially on the top outer edges of this village although some of these are now being renovated.

Up in the Mountains on Kos - visiting Pili. Pili should not be confused with Old Pili - they are quite a way apart and Pili is a fully occupied mountain village. There are two particular places of interest - the Springs (Pygi) which can be found a little way from the village square. These springs have a six spouted fountain and are quite old as they were apparently renovated in 1592. Secondly at the top of the village you can find a signpost indicating the ancient burial chambers of the Heroon of Charmylos and there is also a nice small church there.

 

Out and About around Kos - South Coast Beaches. Heading south from the airport towards Kefalos there is a huge bay which in effect is one long beach although various parts have been given individual names. Each of these named beach areas have road access from the main road - some are tarmac and others dirt roads but in any case the surfaces are fine to drive on. The northern end of the bay and it's beaches are by far the quietest and some of the area was actually closed because the military occupied it until recently. However as you go further south round the bay it all becomes much more commercialised - especially Paradise (or Bubble) beach which is covered in the dreaded beach chairs and stuff. After this beach you come to the small archaelogical site at Ayios Stefanos - and also the small monastery of Saint Antony on the Islet of Kastri. From here the beach continues for around 5kms to arrive at the fishing harbour at Kamari where it ends. This area is a very busy and popular tourist destination - lots of shops and tavernas etc - also another beach starts a little way past the harbour - as usual quite well populated with beach chairs.

From Kamari if you continue heading south you can visit the ruined church of Panagia Palatiani and also a new church which is situated close by. We do not know the name for the new church - it might now have the ruined churches name - who knows.

When the roads split the left fork winds you through countryside and ends at the monastery of Agh. Ioannis - this monastery is no longer occuppied but is in a really nice setting.

 

The right fork takes you on down to coast - there are lots of churches to possibly stop at and take a look round on the way down. Once at the coast there are several beach areas and also a taverna.

The beaches are a sand and pebble mix and look quite rugged and isolated - there are lots of rocks about including rock pools. There is a taverna right on the coast and if you follow the sandy track along a short distance you will come across the lovely little church of Agh Theologos.

 

A few other pictures taken around Kos.

 

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