Kefalos

The town of Kefalos is split intο two separate parts. The main part is perched on the top of a ridge and has remained quite traditional in many ways…The people’s mindset and clothing, the architecture, the rudimentary way of living (no phone, and even no running water or electricity, in some rare cases…)….as if time has stopped in some long forgotten past. There is a traditional house which you can visit and an old mill right next to it. Surrounding the town you can discern the ruins of old fortifications, remains of the castle of Kefalos that used to protect the town when raids by Ottomans and pirates were a regular phenomenon. The view of the Kefalos bay below is one of the most spectacular of the island, with the little island of Kastri standing out in the distance.

Kamari is the lower, seaside part of the town of Kefalos and hosts a small marina where a number of small fishing boats are moored, composing a classic Greek maritime frame. If you are lucky you might encounter the odd fisherman fixing his net under the shade of his “kaiki”. The sea on this part of the island is nearly always very calm and you can enjoy a nice swim in the rather chilly waters. On the one side of the port there is a long sandy beach that leads to the remains of the Early Christian Basilica of Aghios Stephanos, facing the island of Kastri, where you will not fail to notice the commanding presence of the church of Aghios Nikolaos (one of the major landmarks of Kos island). On the other side of the port there is a nice pebble beach with crystal clear waters. Halfway up the mountain and dominating the bay you will detect an old abandoned mine. Kefalos is renown for its fresh fish and there are plenty of seaside tavernas that offer them. You should definitely try one out…