Pyli is located approx 15km south-west of Kos Town, a few kilometres west of Asfendiou. Its Municipality includes the villages of Amaniou, Agios Georgios and Agios Nikolaos and is surrounded by green fields filled with Olive and some Plane trees, where the locals graze their cattle and grow a lot of the Islands vegetables. Mamari is the closest Port if you fancy mooring or hiring a yacht for a day trip around the Island. You could also catch a Ferry to the Island of Kalymnos or Pserimos which only has one beach but makes up for this with its beauty.

If your looking for a holiday on a gorgeous Island but have no interest in lying on a beach Pyli (once the ancient city of Peli) is the place for you to stay.

It has approx 2500 permanent residents and is full of beautiful stone built traditional houses. The houses are centred on the village square; this is where most of the social activities take place. There are some shops, traditional cafes and small tavernas. I must say some of the food be it traditional Greek or more cosmopolitan is of a very high standard the visitor wont be disappointed. One of the best building is the house of Pyli (Pyliotiko Spiti), it is an old house with three rooms, it’s a peep into how the villagers used to live earlier in the 20^th C. there’s a kitchen, living room and a bedroom with original furniture and objects, as its owners left them approx 70 years ago. A short distance from the house is the village spring which supply’s six fountains. Just beside the spring, you will see the ancient vaults, which are named after the local hero of the island Harmylos, visit the ruins of his tomb.

Close to the village, beside the small church dedicated to the Holy Cross, stands the impressive Charmyleion, a complex of burials dated to the Hellenistic period and also related to the worship of the local hero and his descendants.

Some 4km south-eastern to Pyli, is the old town of Palio Pyli, a semi-ruined, abandoned settlement. Here on the hill is a Byzantine castle, which preserves within its walls, a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Castle was constructed during the Macedonian Dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, who dominated from the 9th to 11th centuries. When the island of Kos was conquered by the Knights of St John, the castle was restored and strengthened, in order to ensure the defences of the area. It really is worth the walk the view is breathtaking; Marmari, the Islands of Pserimos and Kalymnos and far in the horizon you will discern the coasts of Western Turkey (Bodrum where they hold a great Tuesday market) are laid out at your feet.

In old Pyli you may also visit the church of Ypapanti, built in the 14th C. it has lovely wall paintings, a wonderful wood carved icon screen and columns taken from an ancient Greek temple dedicated to Demeter. You can also visit the tiny church of the Byzantine lord Michael and nearby, within a clump of fir-trees, you will find a spring which in the past served for watering the live stock.

The areas carnival is held in Feb/Mar so if you’re taking a very early break be sure to ask which day it will be held. There are many other feast days held over the year 23rd of June another local feast takes place in the town, in honour of Aghios Ioannis (St John), the feast known as Klidonas. In late August a series of cultural activities are organized. So what ever time of year you go if a Saint was born in the month there be a celebration.

If you do want to try some watersports, have a swim in the sea or just sunbathe, Marmari beach is the closest approx. 4km away and has with the rest of the Island has an excellent bus service.

If you wish to stay in this area there are several hotels one or two doing All-inclusive.
I would say the area is more suited for quiet young couples, mature families or use it has a quiet base in which to visit the rest of the Island in your hire car.