Travel to Kos Greece Information, Sightseeing, Beaches, Flights & Ferries to Kos Island Greece Dodecannese

Travel Information about Kos Greece

The moment you reach Kos, the island of Hippocrates, you will understand why it is considered one of the most popular resorts in the Dodecanese Islands cluster and indeed, the Aegean Sea region.

Accommodation

If you are travelling with your family, your best bet would be to enquire about Kos hotel apartments or studios. The same goes for larger groups of 4 persons or more. Many Kos hotel resorts offer bungalows, maisonettes and villas that are also ideal for families and groups.

If you are travelling with your significant other, or are planning on spending a romantic holiday for two, we recommend looking for Kos hotels that provide comfortable rooms or suites. Rooms for rent are also a good alternative and are usually less expensive as well. For those able to splurge on their vacation, Kos luxury hotels and resorts offer a variety of extra facilities and lavish amenities.

There are Kos hotels scattered throughout the island. For those who want to be in the hustle and bustle, busy tourist resorts, such as Kos Town, Kardamena and Tigaki are the most popular. If, on the other hand, you'd prefer a quieter, more serene location, we suggest searching for Kos hotels in the seaside settlements of Agios Fokas, Marmari, Mastichari and the inland villages of Kefalos, Antimachia, Pyli, and Asfendiou.

Sightseeing

Kos Town, the capital and port of the island, has an Italian flair and offers wonderful archaeological and historical sightseeing. The ruins of the ancient town and the Medieval Castle of the Knights are the first things you will lay your eyes on when you enter the port. Next you can admire the famous plane tree of Hippocrates, where the father of medicine used to teach his pupils and treat his patients. There is a bridge that connects the castle to the plane tree and the lovely Palm Tree Avenue.

The two mosques in the capital town are fine examples of Islamic art and a must stop during your Kos sightseeing. There are several churches, beautiful buildings, a municipal market, the squares Eleftherias and Agias Paraskevis, scenic stone paved alleys, a wheeled train that offers conducted tours around the town and the archaeological museum that are worthwhile exploring. The ancient Asklipeion is the most important monument of the island.

A sightseeing tour of Kos Greece will provide you with an understanding of the island and its history. The Venetian castle and the Traditional House in Antimachia, the ruins of the Paleo-Christian Basilicas in Mastichari, the Thermes Spa in Agios Fokas, the Community Clinic in Kardamena and the numerous churches are fascinating monuments of Kos Island.

Entertainment

If you like cosmopolitan resorts, Agios Fokas, Asfendiou, Kardamena, Kefalos, Pyli, Marmari, Tigaki, as well as Kos Town are the places to be. These settlements offer endless fun and entertainment at their cafes, bars and clubs until daybreak. One of the best aspects of Kos nightlife is eating out. Tavernas and restaurants are located in every village, while Pyli and Antimachia are famous for their traditional ouzeries and tavernas. We recommend trying the local delicacies of Kos Island, such as stuffed grapevine leaves, roasted meats, 'pligouri' (pork with ground wheat), red cheese, and semi-sweet white wine. Remember to try the traditional sweet with syrup made of a special kind of tomato.

Kos, Greece is host to a variety of festivals and cultural events. In Kos Town, you can attend the 'Ippocratia' cultural events in July and August, while re-enactments of the Hippocratic Oath take place in the Asklipieio every Sunday. In the summer, Kardamena hosts the 'Alasania' cultural events, which include art exhibitions, dance, musical and theatrical performances and athletic competitions.

Beaches

As far as swimming and sunbathing are concerned, Kos Greece provides beaches for all tastes and preferences. The Kos beaches near the capital town tend to be less crowded than others, because they are pebbly. Despite this, they are lovely; the most attractive being Lambi Beach and Psalidi Beach with a variety of facilities and dining venues. Travelling southeast from Kos Town is Agios Fokas Beach, which is half black sandy and half pebbly, making it quite impressive. Close to Agios Fokas is Thermes, a black sandy beach famous for its hot springs. The warm water is considered therapeutic for rheumatism and arthritis.

In the middle of the eastern coast of Kos Greece, you will come across the extremely popular Kardamena Beach, which is a 3-km stretch of fine white sand, with clear water and a plethora of facilities, including chaise lounges, umbrellas, cafes, tavernas, and a wide range of water sports facilities. South of Kardamena Beach are the Kos beaches of Paradissos, Kamila, Agios Stefanos, and Kamari, all of which are wonderful sandy beaches, ideal for sunbathing and relaxation. Kamila Beach (otherwise known as Camel Beach) is surrounded by unusual rocky formations that are quite impressive. Paradissos Beach is very popular, while the rest are less congested. Kefalos Beach is another favorite, with cool and very clean water, fine sand, and organized facilities.

The beach of Agios Theologos, located on the southwestern tip of Kos Greece, is ideal for surfing. Mastichari Beach, which is situated in the middle of the western coast, resembles the beaches of the Caribbean, with white sand and turquoise water. Travelling northwards along the western coast, you will find Marmari Beach, a very long stretch of sand, equipped with chaise longues, umbrellas and water sports facilities for rent.

Approaching Kos Town, about 10 km southwest from the capital is Tigaki Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Kos Greece, famous for its length (10 km), fine sand and shallow, clean water. Its organized facilities and lush surroundings add to its attractiveness. Nudism is permitted on parts of Tigaki Beach, while it is the best spot for windsurfing on Kos Island.

How to Get to Kos

There are direct flights to Kos Airport from the Athens Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" and the "Macedonia" Thessaloniki Airport. Several European countries have charter flights to Kos, Greece. There are also Kos flights from the Dodecanese Islands of Rhodes, Leros and Astypalea, allowing visitors to do some island hopping.

Ferries to Kos depart from Athens (Piraeus Port), Thessaloniki Port and Alexandroupoli Port. There are also high-speed boats and ferries to Kos from the other Dodecanese Islands, the Cyclades Islands of Mykonos, Amorgos and Syros, and several islands in the NE Aegean cluster, including Samos, Chios, Lesvos and Lemnos. Departures are very frequent, especially during the summer months when tourism is in its high season.