TRYPITI, KEFALOS
Trypiti beach is located southwest of Kos, 7 kilometers from the village of Kefalos, about 47 kilometers from Kos town. After the village of Kefalos, you turn right at the junction for Agios Theologos. Reaching the end of the asphalt road at Agios Theologos, after about 4 kilometers, you can even with a private car follow the dirt road that begins behind the restaurant and reach Trypiti. Personally, I like to park the car at the chapel of Theologos and walk the rest of the path on foot, about 300 meters.
The first time we were led there was six years ago by Dimitris Antonouris. At the end of the path, quite higher than the sea, we saw the wonderful untouched spot, and the descent to the beach was steep and dangerous. Back then, the landscape, without of course an organized beach, was pristine and highly impressive, as it features rock formations shaped by erosion from wind and seawater.
Also impressive are—according to Geodifis—the very well-preserved fossilized ripple marks in old clastic sediments.
The area obviously got its name from the many holes that exist in the rocky formations. According to Michalis Skandalidis, Trypiti in Kefalos refers to a mountainous area east of Agios Mammas, from a rock with many holes, and to a coastal porous hill with holes. Iakovos Zarraftis refers to the “Trypita.”
In recent years you will find some sunbeds with umbrellas, where you can relax and enjoy a comfortable swim. The truth is that the umbrellas and sunbeds are in harmony with the environment and natural landscape, and fortunately they have left a large part of the beach empty.
In addition, the private individual who manages the beach built a wooden “stairway” to make access to the beach easier. The good things end there. Although I usually avoid writing negatively in my articles and prefer to focus on the positive, I must emphasize two major negatives.
a) At the entrance of this “private initiative,” where vehicles park, just before the stairway leading down to the beach, a makeshift zoo has been created which is—in my opinion—tasteless and borders on kitsch, not to mention that I don’t see any reason for domestic animals to be there.
b) The last time we went, in mid-September, two people who seemed to be the owners of the umbrellas were “welcoming” people at the stairway leading down, instructing them to take an umbrella, with the argument that they also pay the Municipality. My friends and I didn’t reply and started walking down the stairway to the beach, not intending—in truth—to take sunbeds, since we like to lie on the sand. We then heard them behind us throwing insults our way, saying that Greeks are always like that, that “of course they won’t take an umbrella,” and other rude comments.
Nevertheless, the natural landscape makes up for it if you decide to go. Many times, we have chosen the area for hiking, as the route from the chapel of Theologos, with a stop at Trypiti and a final destination at Harakas before Kavo Paradiso, is very interesting.
The hikers pose for a commemorative photo in front of Trypiti.
In general, the beach is very special and peaceful, and it differs from the other beaches of Kefalos because of the rocks. Naturally, it is also ideal for photoshoots, as access to these natural bridges is easy. In addition, to the left and right of the main beach you will find two more beautiful little coves.
