Find information on Psalidi in our Travel Guide covering sights, foods and nightlife plus more...
Psalidi is almost a suburb of Kos Town lying only three kilometres to the east on the northern coast. It is a modern resort with a large number of hotels, a sand and shingle beach and a variety of water sports. There are restaurants and tavernas along the waterfront providing a choice of cuisine and shops for essentials. Kos Town is on your doorstep, waiting to supply you with anything that you can’t find in Psalidi.
Psalidi offers a vast range of accommodation from five star hotels to self-catering apartments and studios. Whatever your budget you will find suitable rooms in the resort. If you are looking to combine a relaxing beach holiday with the bustle of Kos Town, Psalidi is a good option as there is a shingle and pebble beach and easy access into the capital.
Psalidi is popular with a wide range of ages and interests. Couples of all ages and young singles who wish to combine the vivacity of Kos Town with lazy days on the beach and in the water, flock to Psalidi in their droves. Families with young children would probably prefer a sandy beach. Be aware that steep paths lead down to the beach making access difficult for the less mobile.
The most popular time to take a Psalidi holiday is in the summer, although the season extends from April to the end of October. The temperature range is from 20 to 30 degrees.
Psalidi is a relaxing beach resort, very close to Kos Town, that is popular with couples and young singles. Although it is a quiet resort, it is not a favourite with families who have small children. The beach is not suitable for the bucket and spade brigade as it is comprised mainly of shingle and pebbles with very little sand. It does however shelve gently into the sea providing safe bathing for less confident swimmers. A variety of water sports are available. The restaurants and tavernas cater for a variety of tastes and there are shops supplying essential holiday provisions.
If visitors tire of the beach there are many sightseeing opportunities in this small island. Kos Town has a long history which is evident in its ancient ruins and differing architectural styles. The imposing castle above the town looks even more impressive when illuminated at night. The approach to the castle is over a bridge across what used to be the moat. The old town has narrow cobbled streets that open onto pretty squares filled with palms and pots of flowers. The main square, Eleftherias, is closed to traffic and here you will find the Archaeological Museum and the restored Defterdar Mosque. Close to the square is the Agora, an archaeological site that was once the ancient market place. Kos Town is also home to the oldest tree in Europe under which Hippocrates is said to have been taught. This would make the tree twenty-five hundred years old. The harbour is an attractive area and from here there are excursions to other islands as well as to Mainland Turkey.
There is a small water park near Psalidi which offers fun for all the family with its range of slides and flumes.
Travel inland from Psalidi and you will be enchanted by the unspoiled villages, set amongst the pine forests, which remain largely untouched by tourism. The ancient site of Asklepion is a short distance south east where there is a temple to the god of healing. A mini train runs from Kos Town to the site every day except Monday.
A Psalidi holiday offers a relaxing break with a guarantee of summer sun, warm water, water sports and all the entertainment that the capital has to offer
Psalidi nightlife is very low-key with much of the entertainment provided by the larger hotels. There are a number of bars and tavernas along the waterfront but many people take a bus or a short walk into Kos Town which is very lively indeed.
Psalidi shopping is limited to holiday essentials and a small number of gift shops. This matters little because of the close proximity of Kos Town which has a wide variety of shops from exclusive boutiques and specialist shops to the souvenir and gift stores so loved by holidaymakers. The narrow streets of the old town have some delightful little shops where you can purchase good quality mementoes. Popular purchases are leather goods, jewellery, ceramics and embroidered linens.
The tavernas and restaurants in Psalidi serve a variety of food from traditional to international cuisine. Being on an island, fish plays an important part in the diet and small fried fish, shellfish and kalimari are firm favourites. Lamb and chicken are used most commonly in meat dishes.
Local wines are easy on the palate as well as the purse.
If you require a wider choice of food, walk into Kos Town where you will find menus that accommodate even the most pernickety of palates. Fast food stalls such as Souvlatzidiki sell takeaway souvlakis, a type of kebab. For a more substantial snack these are sometimes wrapped in pita bread and called gyros.
Eating in Kos is meant to be an unhurried pleasure, so please don’t mistake the relaxed attitude of waiters for tardy service.
