Built in 1840 around the picturesque port of Bouka, the capital Fri is a jewel of island folk architecture. Stone mansions in earthy colours and elegant captains' houses capture the eye.
Take a stroll through the alleys before visiting the Archaeological Museum and the Folklore Collection of Kasos, housed in a beautiful, listed building of 1900 (the old town hall). Admire the stately church of Agios Spyridon (the patron saint of the island), with the impressive bell tower and the beautiful wood-carved altar screen dating back to the 19th century. In the Town Hall you will see the Monument of the Kasian Holocaust, a tribute to the victims of the Turks in 1824.
Leave Fri behind to explore the five settlements of the island. Wander around the Cycladic scenery of Agia Marina, among picturesque alleys with beautiful chapels and well-preserved windmills. The impressive mansions of the past are captivating.
In the village of Panagia, the large captains' houses stand as a reminder of the nautical grandeur of the island while the church of the Assumption brings admiration with its ornate pebbled mosaic floor. Climb to the highest point of the village for a souvenir photo with the "Six Chapels" in the background, a majestic complex of successive churches of the 18th century. Legend has it that they were built to exorcise the spirits of six fairies who lived there.
Next stop, Arvanitochori, a white village of the 16th century that hosts, among others, the amazing Folklore Museum of Kasos. Have a stop before walking the path to the charming church of Panagia Potamitissa, built high on the mountain inside a natural cave.
Do not leave the island without taking a walk in the amphitheatrical village of Poli, the ancient capital of the island (Polin). The walls of the ancient acropolis and the carved tombs of the 4th century BC are worthy of admiration. In the shadow of the castle, the narrow alleys with the white houses and dry-stone walls are ideal for atmospheric walks.
Kasos is gifted with some of the most beautiful monasteries in the Aegean painted in white and blue. It is worth visiting Agios Georgios (1690) in Hadies with its rare icons and ornate wood-carved altar screen. The monastery of Agios Mamas (19th century) resembles a Byzantine castle overlooking the vastness of the Libyan Sea.