Those looking for a place on Kos with a clear settlement structure and a strong connection to the landscape will find two distinct perspectives in Asfendiou: the village’s main quarters and its location on the slopes of Mount Dikaios. The surroundings are characterized by lush vegetation, olive trees, cypresses, pine trees and natural springs. Asfendiou therefore brings both its settlement structure and its landscape to the fore.
A Village with Its Own Structure
The two main quarters of Asfendiou are called Evangelistria, also known as Pera Geitonia, and Asomatos. The Orthodox domed church of Panagia Evangelistria stands in the village. In 1983, the Greek Ministry of Culture designated Asfendiou a protected settlement. The names of the quarters help visitors navigate the settlement; the church and protected status also draw attention to religious architecture and the settlement as a whole.
Cultural Heritage Nearby
Nearby, outside Asfendiou, are the ruins of the early Christian Basilica of Saint Paul. Monagri, the area’s oldest exoklísion, lies just before the settlement. A wooden gate near Monagri prevents animals from going farther downhill. The basilica ruins and Monagri are separate points in the surrounding area, while the domed church of Panagia Evangelistria is located in the village itself.
What Else Kos Offers for Planning Your Trip
Kos has cycling routes for all ability levels. The selection ranges from completely flat routes to mountainous and mixed routes, as well as unpaved and steep ones. When planning, you can therefore consider not only the ability level but also the route profile and surface. The municipal tourism portal features ten cycling routes on the island.
Also on Kos, Dikeos is the island’s highest mountain, at 846 meters. A well-maintained, marked hiking trail starts in Zia. Cycling routes with different profiles and the marked hiking trail offer different ways to experience the island’s landscape; the hiking trail has a clearly specified starting point.
For nature watching, the Psalidi wetland is another highlight on Kos. It is a seasonal refuge for migratory birds, with lush vegetation and developed paths for observing wildlife. As a different kind of island activity, facilities for water sports and water-based leisure activities are available at almost every beach on Kos. The Psalidi region offers all kinds of water sports.
Honey and Regional Cuisine on Kos
On Kos, visitors can tour beekeeping operations, taste honey and learn about the production process firsthand. Another local product is Krasotyri from Kos: a white cheese made from sheep’s or goat’s milk, recognized as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and aged in grape pomace for at least one month. A visit to a beekeeping operation and the cheese offer two different ways to discover local products: one through production and tasting, the other through origin and aging.
Getting Around Kos
Local KTEL buses run from every settlement on Kos, with numerous regular connections to Kos Town. If you plan to include bus journeys in your island itinerary, check the latest timetables in advance so you can take the specific connections into account when planning your day.
Discover more destinations: Marmari, Tigkaki, Nikia, Mastichari, Antimachia, Kos, Kardámaina and Kefalos.
Back to the main travel overview: Kos.
