Greek island of Kos

The island of Kos is green and equipped with modern infrastructure, one of the most tourist islands in the Dodecanese archipelago in Greece. It is the third largest Greek island after Crete and Rhodes, located off the coast of Turkey.

Basic information about Kos island

The island is called a paradise of the Aegean Sea, as it is famous for its clean ecology and picturesque natural landscapes. The mountainous terrain of the center of the island gives way to the shores of beautiful and large pine forests.

Photo Kos Island Greece
Kos Island, Greece

The island is known for its abundance of natural and historical attractions, excellent beaches and entertainment venues. It offers a wide range of budget hotels and apartments, attracting thousands of travelers and nature lovers every year. Despite its popularity, Kos is still a very affordable holiday destination.

The island of Kos is a smart mix of eastern and western influences. Romans, Byzantines, Muslims and Italians ruled the island. Each nation has left its mark and thus formed the cultural mosaic of the island. It is the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, who studied, taught medicine, and founded his medical school here almost 2,500 years ago.

Kos has been known for its healing thermal springs since antiquity.

What to see on Kos from the sights

The Greek island has many places that testify to its rich history. The city of Kos, located in the north-eastern part of the island, is the capital of the island of the same name and its main seaport.

 

beaches photo Kos Island
Kos island beaches

The city is quite young, it was rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1933. This garden city is today characterized by whitewashed houses bordered by cobblestone streets and giant palm trees.The most interesting monuments are located in the town of Kos and its surroundings. The medieval monument, the castle of the Knights of John, is located right on the embankment, near the port. It was built in the 14th century on the ruins of an ancient Byzantine fortress, to protect against Ottoman invasions. Construction continued until the beginning of the 16th century, but in 1514 it was conquered by the Turks. The defensive structures have partially survived to this day.

photo Castle of Knights
Castle of the Knights of St. John

Sights of Kos Island – the Church of St. Paraskeva was built in 1932. There are more than a hundred Christian churches on the island.

In the center of the city is Eleftherias Square with the Hippocrates plane tree, which has a circumference of 12 meters. According to legend, the founder of medicine planted this tree here to give lessons in the shade to his students.

Near the tree is the entrance to the Archaeological Museum (second complex); not far from the museum is the ancient Agora. On the territory of the Agora there are many remains of buildings from those times.

The Defterdar Mosque, built in 1725, has retained its original appearance to this day. The building is located on the most picturesque square of the city, and you can only admire the Defendar Mosque from the outside – access to it is closed to the public.

Defterdar Mosque

Note! Most of the sidewalks are divided into paths for pedestrians and cyclists. Here you can rent a bicycle and travel around the island at your leisure. To explore the city and its surroundings, cycling is the best solution.

What is the weather like on Kos island?

The island has a Mediterranean climate, with mild and rainy winters and hot and sunny summers. In winter, from December to mid-March, daytime temperatures range around 12-14 degrees. Rains are quite frequent, but there are also sunny days. In spring, from mid-March to May, it gradually becomes warmer and sunny with less rain. In summer – from June to mid-September, it is hot and sunny.

Additional Information! Summer is the high tourist season on the island. If swimming in the sea is not a prerequisite, you can choose spring, autumn and even winter for your trip.

Resorts of Kos

Besides the capital of the island, which is a large city, you can find small villages such as Marmari, Kardamena or Mastichari, where buildings do not exceed two floors.
Hotel establishments mainly operate on an all-inclusive formula.

The beaches offer many opportunities for sea sports, and for those who prefer a passive beach holiday, Lamy is ideal. Its fine sand and clear water will delight lovers of such recreation. From the port of Kos you can take excursions to neighboring islands.

The beach in Mastichari is one of the most equipped and clean on Kos. Tourists have at their disposal shops, car rental offices and numerous taverns with seafood. Tourists with children are recommended to visit the Lido water park located nearby.
The tourist town of Kamari is popular for its long sandy beaches.

Beach in Mastichari

Kardamena is a developed tourism center with luxury hotels and cozy apartments suitable for water sports enthusiasts and families with children.

Kardamena, Kos island

Psalidi is the best place to conquer the waves. There are special stations here. Tigaki Beach is 10 km of clean coastline and warm, shallow sea. Waves are rare here, but the northern part of the coast is windy and suitable for windsurfing. Hotel complexes operate mainly on an all-inclusive formula.

How to get to the island

The capital of Kos is 26 km from Hippocrates International Airport, served by several airlines.

Note! If it is not possible to find a direct flight to the island, flights with a stop in Athens are made much more often.

Taxis are available at the international airport to help travelers reach the city. In addition, buses run all day from the airport to the city center.
Car rental is a popular type of business on Kos. There are plenty of companies offering car rental here. You can order a car in advance via the Internet and reserve it, and pick it up upon arrival.

Kos is known for its nightlife, with many bars, clubs, and beach parties. Those who prefer to spend quiet evenings will love the promenade thanks to the wide selection of terraces and restaurants.

Greece is famous not only for its rich history, but also for its centuries-old traditions of hospitality. Beautiful nature, a developed tourism industry, and many attractions will leave unforgettable memories of your holiday on the island of Kos.

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