Zia and Lagoudi in Kos

The tour operators' main excursion goes to the mountain village of Zia about 16 kilometres west of Kos Town. The village is usually described as idyllic and picturesque. Unfortunately, it's not true with reality, at least not my reality. But for anyone who has never visited a Greek mountain village, Zia might appear as picturesque. I was in Zia for the first time in 2003 and when I drove there again after many, many years of absence, I hoped that there had been a change, but unfortunately it turned out that Zia had developed for the worse.

Zia was certainly picturesque once upon a time, before the mass tourism came to Kos. Today one really has to exert oneself, and wink at all commerce, to see anything idyllic in Zia. The village has been completely taken over by tavernas and souvenir shops selling knick knack. However, there are local products like honey and herb for purchase as well, but you can buy it everywhere on Kos.

Souvenir shops in Zia.

Even more souvenir shops.

But isn't there anything good about Zia? Well, if you walk further up into the village, you will get away from the commerce. Here it is calmer and you get a completely different picture of the village. Zia do also offer very nice views and the sunset is extraordinary. The best thing about Zia is, in my opinion, the beautiful stretch of road to the village, and from the village.

The main attraction in Zia, apart from the sunset, is this watermill.

The Church in Zia.

From here you can see the famous sunset best.

From the roof garden at Taverna Olympia you can also see the sunset.

I probably sound whiny and negative in my text about Zia, but if you, like me, have seen countless genuine mountain villages in Greece, it is not possible to be positive. All Swedish tour operator offer excursions to Zia. I understand that many people are enticed to come along on excursions to Zia, because their lyrics sound really enticing. This is how one of the Swedish tour operators companies writes:

“Experience the picturesque mountain village of Zia in the evening. About 2 km south of Asfendiou, halfway up Mount Dikeos, is the village of Zia. Here you can visit genuine taverns and try local delicacies. Take a walk and enjoy perhaps the island's most spectacular sunset and the cozy surroundings that have made the place famous.”

But if you like shopping for souvenirs and other knick-knacks, you'll love Zia. Here are some examples of what you can buy.

All the shops in Zia sell the same things that can be bought in Kos town.

Paintings with motifs from Santorini and Symi, among others, can be bought in Zia.

If you are looking for African masks, you will find it in Zia.

How about a beer opener in the shape of a phallus?

The best thing about Zia is the beautiful stretch of road to the village, and from the village.

There are several of nice tiny villages near Zia that are untouched by tourism. Lagoudi is the finest and definitely the sleepiest of these villages. Here is an air of pleasant calm, and it is a pleasure to slowly stroll through the desolate alleys and listen to the clucking hens and angry cocks.

Taverna in Zia. The church in Lagoudi is visible in the middle of the picture.

One of the few alleys in Lagoudi.

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU ARE IN THE AREA

Don't miss Palio Pyli Castle, which you can read about here »

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