Fascinating Facts about Kefalos' Legendary Islet

Fascinating Facts about Kefalos' Legendary Islet

Agios Stefanos Beach 

Unveiling the story of Kastri



Among the island's many treasures, Agios Stefanos beach stands out as a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a complete and unforgettable experience. However, beyond the golden sands and crystal clear turquoise waters that Agios Stefanos boasts, the beach is surrounded by both natural beauty and historical sites. In close proximity to the beach lies the instagrammable islet of Agios Stefanos, which remains relatively unknown in terms of history, although frequently visited. That's why this blog post is dedicated to some facts about it!


The island of Agios Stefanos is actually called Kastri, which in greek means a small castle and it likely derives from the remnants of fortifications scattered throughout the islet. 

When someone arrives on the island, whether by swimming or water biking, they climb the steep stairs to reach the chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas (the patron saint of seafarers in Greek Orthodox tradition). According to tradition, anyone who reaches the chapel should ring the bell located just outside. 

Last but not least, the movement of the coastline was crucial in shipping Kastri into its present form. About 10.000 years ago the islet didn't even exist as it was part of a larger landmass, with the coastline approximately 20 -30 meters deeper than the present one. However, the rise in sea levels resulted to the coastline shifting further inland (about 900 meters) towards the current sore. 


Now you're ready to visit Kefalos village, located in southwestern Kos and take a closer look to the iconic beach of Agios Stefanos and its legendary islet. 


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