Tall palm trees, sandy beaches, thermal springs, alternating landscapes and numerous archaeological sites and attractions left by ancient Greeks, Romans, mediaeval knights, Venetians and Ottomans; this is Kos, one of the most visited islands of Dodecanese! Kos is also the birthplace of Hippocrates (460 BC), antiquity’s most noted physician and the father of medicine.

Kos offers a great diversity of places for vacationers. Some areas such as Kos town, Kardamena and Kefalos, are very touristy and get very busy during high season. There, you will find organized beaches, luxurious hotels, water sports centres and a great variety of nightlife options. Other areas are almost secluded from mass tourism with naturism-friendly beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere. Kos also has three different kinds of mineral water springs; hot, warm and cool. You will find them at Agios Fokas, Piso Thermes, Kokkinonero and Volkanous.

Kos Town

The town spreads in all directions from the perfectly protected Mandraki harbour. The Italians ruled the island from 1912 to 1933 and planned it rigorously, with clusters of mock-Ottoman, Art Deco and Rationalist style buildings. They also created large areas of archaeological spaces and preserved the castle and the traditional quarters (the Muslim bazaar and the old blacksmiths’ quarter of Haluvaziá), which had survived the 1933 earthquake. Residential, cantonment-style suburbs were laid out and today their original landscaping has matured, giving Kos the feel of a lush garden town. The town also boasts a variety of tavernas, cafes and bars.