Travel Guide Pyli

Pyli is located 17 km inland from Kos-ville. Nicknamed "the kingdom of tomatoes", this village guards access to an unspoilt mountainous region, on the heights of Mount Dikeos, which rises to almost 850 m. The neighboring small mountain villages, dedicated to hunting, are home to delicious tavernas in exceptional settings. On a clear day, you can see far beyond the coast below, as far south as the island of Nissiros, or as far north as Kalymnos. This is the authentic heart of the island. Visit Palio Pyli and the ruins of the ancient Byzantine city, where the remains of a 10th-century castle can be admired from above. The climb is easy, but it can be hot, and you'll be rewarded with magnificent panoramic views. Below, among the trees of the old village, you'll see an 11th-century Byzantine church, and you can pause for a break at the pleasant Oria café. Continuing on secondary roads through wooded forests, you come to the village of Zia, named after Zeus, worshipped in a nearby temple in ancient times. Now quite touristy in season, it's a mountain village where you can eat well and admire a magnificent sunset. Moving further into the remote center, the road takes you to the villages of Asfendiou and Asomatos, before continuing on to the abandoned village of Haihoutes, home to a pretty café in an incredible setting, surrounded by ruins.