Asfendiou: Protected Settlement on the Slopes of Mount Dikaios

Asfendiou combines historic features with a landscape on the slopes of Mount Dikaios.

Protected Settlement and Landscape

The Greek Ministry of Culture designated Asfendiou a protected settlement in 1983. Its two main quarters are Evangelistria, also known as Pera Geitonia, and Asomatos. The protected status applies to Asfendiou as a settlement; the quarter names distinguish its two main areas.

The village lies on the slopes of Mount Dikaios and is surrounded by lush vegetation, olive trees, cypresses, pine trees and natural springs. Its hillside location and plant life add a scenic dimension to the protected settlement. If you are also choosing your destination based on the surrounding area, these specific features offer a helpful guide.

Churches and Historic Sites

The Orthodox domed church of Panagia Evangelistria stands in Asfendiou. Nearby, but outside the settlement, are the ruins of the early Christian Basilica of Saint Paul. This allows you to distinguish between a domed church in the village and early Christian ruins in the surrounding area.

Monagri is the oldest exoklísion in the area and lies just before the settlement of Asfendiou. At Monagri, a wooden gate keeps animals from descending any farther.

Kos in Context

The municipal tourism portal presents ten cycling routes on Kos. The routes are entirely flat, mountainous or mixed; there are also unpaved and steep routes. When planning, you can use the different route profiles as a guide rather than assuming the terrain is uniform. For getting around the island, local KTEL buses operate on Kos from every settlement, with numerous regular services to Kos Town; check the timetable when planning your trip.

At 846 metres, Dikeos is the highest mountain on Kos; a well-maintained, signposted hiking trail starts in Zia. This gives you different ways to spend active days on the island: cycling routes with varied profiles and a hiking trail with a named starting point.

The Psalidi wetland is a seasonal refuge for migratory birds on Kos. It also features lush vegetation and paths laid out for wildlife observation. Facilities for water sports and water-based leisure activities are available on almost every beach on Kos; Psalidi offers all kinds of water sports.

You can also explore Kos through its culinary interests. Visits to beekeeping businesses give you the chance to taste honey and learn about the production process firsthand. Krasotyri of Kos is a white cheese made from sheep’s or goat’s milk with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI); it is aged for at least one month in grape pomace. These offer different culinary experiences: a visit that includes honey tasting and a regional cheese with clearly specified production characteristics.

Discover more destinations: Pali, Mandrákion, Tigkaki, Marmari, Mastichari, Antimachia, Kos, Kardámaina

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