Description of Kos

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The island of Kos is the second best in visitors only to the premier destination of Rhodes in Dodecanese. The island receives thousands of visitors every year and has a wide range in accommodation facilities from luxury five-star hotels to family run small pensions and rooms to let. The crowds of tourists strolling up and down the seafront marina road have added to the bustling nightlife of Kos with bars and restaurants all around.

Geography of Kos

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Kos spans an area of 287 sq. km. with a total population of 30.947 residents. It is the nearest Greek Island to the Turkish Bodrum. The islands closer to Kos are Pserimos and Kalymnos on the north, Nisyros on the south and Astypalaia on the southwest.

History of Kos

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Kos has been a famous trading centre since antiquity. The fact that Ptolemy II of Egypt was born here, secured its protection of Egypt, under which Kos met prosperity. Hippocrates, the founder of western medicine, lived and practised here. After his death, the Sanctuary of Asclepius and a medical school were built, which made Kos famous throughout the Greek world. Kos has changed many hands since the Roman and Byzantine Empire. It was conquered by the Venetians, who then sold it to the Knights of St John. Two hundred years later the Knights abandoned the island to the Ottomans who ruled Kos for 400 years until it was occupied by Italians in 1912. After the Germans victory in the Battle of Kos, they occupied the island until 1945. Then, Kos passed under British who finally ceded it to Greece in 1947.

Sightseeing on Kos

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Beyond the busy resort hotels that welcome the vast majority of visitors, Kos has also another less seen face that you cannot meet unless you head in the mainland of the island and the mountains. Visit the villages of Kardamena, Kefalos, Tingaki, Antimachia, Mastihari, Marmari, Pyli, Zipari, Platani, Lagoudi and Asfendiou. Zia is a small lovely village in the mountains with great view. The main sights are in Kos Town with the ruins of the Castle by the port and the plane tree of Hippocrates. The palm trees range on the sides of the street mark the main entrance to the castle. The multicultural past of the island is evident with a Roman Catholic Church, a Mosque and a Synagogue.

Local Products of Kos

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The mainland of the island has many of cows and therefore local dairy products. Try the fresh local cow milk that you can find in the local super markets.

Getting to Kos

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By air from Athens International Airport or by ferry boats departing from Piraeus Port in Athens.

Best time to visit Kos

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From April to October. The busiest months are July and August.

Useful Phone Numbers on Kos

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Police: +30 22420 22222
Tourist Police: +30 22420 22444
Port Authorities of Kos: +30 22420 26594
Airport: +30 22420 56000
Local Buses Services: +30 22420 22292
Hospital: +30 22420 28050