The Asfendiou Villages on Kos: Zia and the Mountain Hamlets of Dikeos

Inner courtyard of Casa Romana. Kos, Greece

The Asfendiou villages sit on the green western slopes of Mount Dikeos in central Kos, about 12 to 15 kilometres from Kos Town. The cluster gathers five mountain hamlets — Zia, Evangelistria, Asomatos, Lagoudi and the higher, part-abandoned Haihoutes — among pine woods, springs and terraced fields. Islanders built these settlements well above the coast, … Read more

Antimachia on Kos: The Venetian Castle and Windmill Village

Kos-Kefalos-harbour-part of the Gulf-Kamari-view from Kefalos-01ESD

Antimachia spreads across the central plateau of Kos, a large inland village minutes from the island’s international airport and equidistant from the north and south coasts. The settlement takes its name from a fortified hilltop that dominates the skyline: the triangular castle of the Knights of St John. Built to shelter islanders during pirate raids … Read more

Pyli on Kos: The Village and the Ruined Castle of Old Pyli

Kos-Nerantzia Castle-Baum-01ASD

Pyli is an inland village on the green lower slopes of Mount Dikeos, near the centre of Kos, about 15 km from Kos Town. It stands apart from the beach resorts, built around a natural spring shaded by old plane trees, where a stone fountain and tavernas mark the village square. Above the modern village, … Read more

Zia on Kos: The Mountain Village of Sunsets on Mt Dikeos

Casa Romana (Kos)

Zia clings to the green slopes of Mount Dikeos about 15 kilometres southwest of the island capital. A stone-built village celebrated for its sweeping west-facing panoramas across the Aegean toward the Turkish coast. The car-free cobbled lane at the heart of the settlement threads between traditional houses, tavernas serving grilled meats and honey-drizzled sweets. Small … Read more