Holidays in Kos 2019: attractions for tourists, features of Kos hotels and beaches, entertainment and attractions.
Kos Island is one of the pioneers of the tourism industry. Mass tourism began to develop here a long time ago, and now about 1 million tourists visit the island every year! The reason for the popularity of Kos is its convenient location close to the main tourist routes of the Aegean Sea, gorgeous beaches and rich nature, thanks to which Kos is nicknamed "the floating garden of the Mediterranean".
Tours to Greece from Level.Travel
The cost of last minute tours to Greece from the largest online service Level.Travel... Prices are from the minimum for the next four months of the 2019 season.
Kos island - how to get there
The compact area of Kos (just over 260 km) avoids many problems with the transfer. Kos International Airport, called Hippocrates, is located in the center of the island, 25 kilometers from its capital. Therefore, tourists arriving on vacation can quickly and easily get to their hotel anywhere on the island in 20-30 minutes. Several daily flights connect Kos with the nearest island of Rhodes. Kos is also connected by air with Athens. You can see the approximate prices for flights Athens - Kos in our calendar:
Another popular form of transport, ferries, also run regularly between Kos, the largest islands of the Aegean Sea and other points. From Athens, the ferry to Kos takes about 10 hours, the boat trip to Rhodes will last 2 hours.
Best Kos Resorts 2019
Kos is not the largest island in Greece. However, even on a small piece of land, the variety of recreational areas can confuse those who are traveling for the first time:
- Kefalos resort- this is the visiting card of the island of Kos. Here you will see the most picturesque bay, the most beautiful beach covered with golden sand, as well as the ruins of the ancient capital of the island - the city of Astypalea.
- Tigaki Resort- a quiet place for families with children. A large selection of hotels of all categories, including large five-star hotels. The visiting card of the resort is a wide sandy ten-kilometer beach with a gentle slope into the sea.
- Lambi Resort Is a resort area in the suburb of Kos (the administrative capital of the island of Kos). The spacious beaches of Lambi are home to many young people and tourists who want to stay close to the main attractions.
- Mastichari resort Is a town known as one of the largest surf centers on the island. Calm and relatively inexpensive resort with wide sandy beaches.
- Kardamena resort Is the most famous youth resort on the Greek island of Kos. Kardamena provides tourists with an excellent choice of hotels of all stars, gorgeous sandy beaches, an abundance of water activities and an active nightlife;
Where to stay on Kos - hotels
In total, there are about three hundred hotels on Kos, many of them are large hotel complexes with a large territory. Kos hotels are fairly evenly located along the wide coastline, mainly in the northern and southern parts of the island. Most of the hotels are well equipped to accommodate tourists with children: a children's menu, strollers, playpens, playgrounds, slides and swimming pools are present in almost every large hotel. However, this does not mean that Kos is positioning itself as an exclusively family resort.
The infrastructure is designed for all categories of tourists: students, young people, holidaymakers of venerable age, and married couples. This also explains the wide range of prices and the wide choice of hotel class. On the island of Kos you can find both modest apartments and luxurious five-star hotels of large chains.
Where to stay on Kos in the 2019 season:
Kos beaches - review and photos
Without exaggeration, the island of Kos can be called one of the main centers for beach holidays on the Aegean Sea. Its coastline stretches for 110 kilometers. The beaches on Kos are mostly sandy and very wide, almost every corner of the coast is marked with the EU Blue Flag. On the coast you can find sand of any color - white, golden, and dark volcanic. For lovers of clear water, the island also has a selection of excellent pebble beaches - for example, in resort area Psalidi.
Tigaki Resort (north coast) is great for families: gentle sandy beaches stretch for 10 km. The area is calm, hotel complexes are scattered over a fairly large area. Tourists who are going to spend their holidays on Kos with children are often advised to resorts on the southern coast, since there are more sandy beaches.
Paradise Beach (Kos, Greece)
On the South Coast, the greatest interest among tourists is Agios Fokas beach because there are healing thermal springs here. The south is also home to the second largest youth resort of Kardamena with numerous bars, clubs and discos. Lovers of scenic views should definitely visit resort area Kefalos (western part of the island). Photos of this stretch of coastline are most often used in travel guides for Kos, and one of the most beautiful beaches of Kos is also located here - Paradise .
It is worth noting that Kos is a fairly windy island, stronger winds blow it from the north, so the waves here will be slightly larger than in the southern resorts. All beaches of Kos are municipal, sun loungers and umbrellas on public beaches are paid. Sometimes a free sun lounger is provided to guests of the tavern or bar when purchasing drinks or food.
Entertainment and recreation on Kos
The administrative center of the island is the city of Kos, located on the northern coast. Here are the main historical monuments, the largest shops and markets of the island, in the central streets you can find many cafes, taverns and bars for tourists. The nearest resort of Lambi is the main hangout center of Kos, where many young people rest.
The most famous sights of the island of Kos are associated with medicine, because it was here in ancient times that there was the largest temple dedicated to the god of healing Asclepius - Asklepion ... Its ruins are well preserved to this day. Kos is also home to the father of medicine, Hippocrates. According to legend, the ancient plane tree in the central square of the city of Kos is the very tree in the shade of which Hippocrates lectured to his students.
Kos is a real paradise for lovers of water (and not only) sports. In the windiest parts of the coast, you can see a large concentration of surfers and kiting fans. Scuba diving, boat trips, fishing and water activities (like bananas and jet skis) are also held in high esteem. Cycling occupies a special place on Kos: there are excellent bike paths that connect many beaches and picturesque coastlines.
Kos island - a piece of paradise in the Aegean Sea... Greek about. Kos has recently become very popular with families with children who prefer a calm and comfortable sea vacation. Sandy and pebble beach and the island of Kos, immersed in greenery, combined with historical sights and castles, the modern life of the city of Kos and the infrastructure of hotels, are an indisputable advantage when choosing a holiday in Greece on the island of Kos.
The Greek island of Kos entered the top 10 cheapest tourist destinations (the seaside resort of Kefalos).
Kefalos is the most remote resort village on the island of Kos. It is located on a hill with a wonderful view of Kefalos Bay and the small islet of Kastri.
Kos island map with cities and resorts
Map of the island of Kos, Greece - Resorts of the island of Kos
Resorts of the island of Kos in Greece:
- in the south of Kos located resorts of Kardamena and Kamari with sandy beaches and calm sea, which makes the water clear and clean. Here in the southwest in the Gulf of Kefalos, the most suitable place for windsurfing or kitesurfing for both beginners and professionals.
- in the east, near the capital city of Kos, is Psalidi resort... Here the coast of the island of Kos is covered with pebbles, the sea is crystal clear and emerald. 10 minutes drive away thermal springs... And in the distance you can see Turkey - the resort of Bodrum.
- on the north coast of Kos located resorts: Tigaki, Marmari, Mastichari... Here, beautiful sandy beaches stretch for many kilometers. And because of the wind and waves, the Marmari resort is ideal for outdoor activities, windsurfing and waveriding.
It should be noted that the most popular resorts of Kos in Greece is Kardamena and Tigaki.
On the southwestern coast of Kos, near the town of Kafalos, in the resort of Kamari there is one of the most beautiful beaches with a romantic name - Paradis... The youth resorts of the island of Kos are Kardamena, Tigaki, Psalidi.
Tours to Kos in 2019
Tours to the island of Kos in 2019 from May to early October are offered by tour operators with direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg.
- Asklepion - the temple of the god Asclepius (medical complex);
- Platanus of Hippocrates - a tree planted by Hippocrates himself;
- Ancient agora(Temple of Hercules);
- Nature Reserve (pink flamingos, carriage turtles);
- Archaeological Museum;
- Patmos Island (Monastery and Cave of St. John the Evangelist);
- Thermal source;
- Medieval fortress of the Ionian Knights;
- Ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite;
- Kalymnos Island, Maritime Museum, Sponge Factory;
- Roman Villa Casa Romana;
- Pili - the ruins of an ancient city, a fort, a Byzantine church of the XIV century.
Platanus of Hippocrates on the island of Kos
According to legend, the famous doctor Hippocrates taught students in the shade of a tree, which he planted with his own hands. The tree really has impressive dimensions, with a trunk diameter of 10 meters. However, studies have shown that it is no more than 700 years old. Consequently, Hippocrates, who lived in the 5th century BC, could not plant him. But it is known for sure that Hipporkatus, founder of medicine, born on Kos island and in Asklepione founded his first school. Hippocrates was the first physician to intelligently use methods of diagnosing and treating a disease, and he also created a classification of them. He wrote many works on medicine, to this day, he formulated a medical oath, the main principle of which is “do no harm”.
Asklepion Is an ancient medical complex, built in 357 BC, dedicated to the god of medicine Asclepius. This is the most famous Asklepion in Greece out of 300 that existed. Architectural solution complex Asklepion consists of three levels of terraces, connected by monumental staircases, and includes buildings such as: Temple of Asclepius, Temple of Apollo, fountain, altar of Asclepius, medical school, anatomy museum, thermal baths, etc. Here the priests treated the sick according to the method of Hippocrates. The symbol of the cult of Asclepius was the snake, and today the snake is the emblem of doctors.
Thermal spring of Embros on the island of Kos
10 km from city of Kos is hot the source of Embros with healing waters... On the beach, thermal water of 40 degrees is mixed with sea water. The healing properties of the spring, known since ancient times, have been confirmed by analyzes carried out in our time. The positive effect of the source on the skin, blood vessels and respiratory organs has been proven.
Castle and defensive fortress of the Ionian Knights
Ruins are considered to be one of the main attractions on the island of Kos in Greece. Castle of the Ionian Knights and the walls of the majestic defensive fortress located in the city of Kos.
Castle Walls of the Ionian Knights on the island of Kos The Castle of the Ionian Knights was built at the beginning of the 14th century. It was based on the ruins of a Byzantine fortress that existed here earlier. Later, at the beginning of the 16th century, the Castle was surrounded by a high wall. Its construction was completed in 1514. However, after 9 years, Turkey won the battle for the island of Kos, and the reign of the Knights of the Order of Malta on the island of Kos ended, and the castle remained in ruins. The walls of the defensive fortress have been well preserved to this day; they offer a stunning view of the port of the city of Kos and the old town. The seaport of the city of Kos, the ruins of the Castle - the former greatness of the Knights of the Order of Malta, surrounded by palm trees - a breathtaking landscape and the value of the historical heritage of Greece.
Attractions of the city of Kos
For 400 years the island of Kos was ruled by the Ottoman Empire. This time made its own adjustments to the culture and architecture of the islanders. In the first half of the 18th century were built Muslim temples in the city of Kos, perfectly preserved to this day.
Church of st. Paraskeva in Kos Today, these are the sights of the capital of the island of Kos: Defterdar Mosque(1725) in the town square of Eleftherias and Haji Hasan Mosque(1756) next to the plane tree of Hippocrates.
Orthodox churches on the island of Kos are not uncommon, as there are 98% Orthodox Christians in Greece. Church of the Holy Martyr Paraskeva is located in the center of Kos town and is always open to parishioners. The temple was built in 1931-1932 on a hill near the main Freedom Square. More than 100 neat and well-groomed Orthodox churches are located throughout the island of Kos.
Kos Island is rich in ancient sights, many of which are well preserved and are excellent examples of a bygone civilization.
Agora of the ancient city of Kos was found thanks to the 1933 earthquake. Here you can see the ruins of buildings from the 3rd century BC: Temple of Hercules, Forum Gallery, Temple of Aphrodite.
Grigoriou street on both sides it is replete with ancient ruins: the ancient theater, the Roman house of Casa Romana, the gymnasium, Roman houses and baths, wall and floor paintings.
Kalymnos Island, Potia, Maritime Museum, Sponge Factory
Potia town, Kalymnos island From the port Kos town excursion on a yacht to the island Kalymnos, cover a distance of 15 km. can be done in 2 hours. The first stop at a picturesque bay on the south coast involves a visit maritime museum... The museum was founded by Captain Stavros, who has been fishing for sponges since childhood. Among the exhibits of the museum are the treasures he caught: various plants, shells, corals, the remains of a ship from the 2nd century BC. with a load of amphorae, a German machine gun, a fragment of a torpedo, fragments of a plane from World War II. Then we continue our journey to the capital of the island of Kalymnos - Potia city... The city is located sponge factory, which tells about the process of fishing and sponge processing technology. A quality sponge has a yellow-golden color. The sponge fishing season starts in April. Sponges are the main source of income for the inhabitants of the island. However, in recent years, fishing for tuna and fish - the sword, as well as the tourism business - have brought good income.
Basic moments
Kos is a small island, its territory is about 290 square kilometers, and the resident population is only 30 thousand people. However, this piece of land is world famous, primarily as the birthplace of the famous Hippocrates. He was born on Kos in 460 BC and is considered the founder of medical science. It is no coincidence that the main attraction of the island is the sanctuary of the healer-god Asclepius, who was especially revered in ancient times. A plane tree has also survived to this day, planted, according to legend, by Hippocrates himself: in its shadow, the great scientist shared his knowledge with his students.
Modern Kos is one of the most popular resorts in the Mediterranean, of which the Aegean is a part. A huge number of tourists are attracted here by the unique nature and luxurious beaches. Every year about 600 thousand tourists visit this blessed land. The island of Kos has a developed tourist infrastructure, which also contributes to the influx of travelers from all over the world. It is even surprising how such a small island could accommodate such a large number of bars, restaurants, taverns and hotels, not to mention the variety of places for entertainment. This entire leisure and tourism industry is able to satisfy the needs of the most discerning travelers.
Separately, I would like to note that the island of Kos is one of the most ecologically safe places on our planet. It is also one of the greenest islands in the Aegean Sea. There are also fresh springs here, which, coupled with a warm and mild climate, creates very comfortable conditions for the existence of a large number of birds and animals. For example, flamingos come here in winter, Mediterranean seals settle on the southern coast, and loggerhead turtles or caretta turtles are preoccupied with future offspring - for them this is the egg-laying season.
The island of Kos is rightfully called the Garden of Eden, so if during your vacation you would like to be away from the centers of civilization and noisy gas-polluted cities, then this is the right place for you. The unique nature, in which a riot of greenery and colors reigns, is precisely this feature that tourists emphasize upon returning home, recommending Kos for rest to their loved ones. Moreover, the wonderful resort attracts travelers with a huge number of attractions. The youngest and most active tourists also come to this paradise with pleasure: water sports and a rich nightlife allow them to have fun with their time.
Climate and weather
The climate on Little Spit is a complex combination of subtropical and Mediterranean weather conditions. As a result, contrasts can be observed: if in summer the weather here is clear, hot and dry, then in winter it is often inclement - there are long rains and strong winds blow.
Summer on the island begins in early June. The average air temperature in the warm season is +27 degrees Celsius. There are also very hot days when the thermometer reaches +31 ° C.
The Aegean Sea heats up to + 25 ° C in summer, which is a very comfortable temperature, perfect for swimming. In July, the day lengthens to a maximum of 14 hours. In the summertime, the night sky over the island is clear and cloudless. And if you take into account that life here does not subside either day or night, it may seem that daylight never ends.
In the summer, as we have already said, the precipitation is negligible. The peak of hot and sultry weather occurs between July 20 and September 21. True, sea breezes blow from the northwest direction, but they refresh the air only slightly and for a short time. During this period, vacationing on the island of Kos is not very comfortable, although such weather conditions are not an obstacle for a large number of tourists.
The best climatic indicators, when compared with other periods of the year, occur in the twentieth of September and continue until about mid-December. In the autumn months, the average air temperature is kept at around +22 degrees. The sea begins to cool slowly, the water temperature begins to drop from +25 ° C and reaches +20 ° C. Gradually, clouds begin to settle in the sky above the island, and the probability of light precipitation in the form of rains is steadily increasing, reaching 60 mm. As a result, the weather becomes windy and inclement, and the air humidity reaches almost 65%. The sea also begins to "wake up". During this period, there are frequent unrest on it, and in November there are also strong storms.
Winter on Kos lasts three months, but temperatures are not winter at all by Russian standards. For example, on January nights, the thermometer does not drop below +9 degrees Celsius, and in the daytime it even rises to +13 ° C. Winter weather at the resort is mostly inclement, clouds, sometimes, do not go away for several weeks in a row. Humidity due to constant rains reaches 75%. As for the sea, winter is a time of violent, fierce storms. The water temperature in the Aegean Sea drops to +18 ° C. Snow on the island is an extremely rare phenomenon, we would even say the rarest. The last time it fell out was 30 years ago!
In the last decade of March, spring weather sets in on the island of Kos. The air temperature rises from day to day, reaching 17-22 degrees Celsius in April-May. Accordingly, the sea water also begins to warm up. Its temperature reaches +21 ° C by the end of May. Spring on Kos is also characterized by light cloudiness, with small clearings. The rains characteristic of winter are becoming noticeably less, which immediately affects the relative humidity: it drops to 50%. The direction of the wind also changes: the southwest gives way to the "reins" of the northeast.
History of Kos
The first inhabitants of Kos were immigrants from Caria, a historical region on the southwestern coast of the Asia Minor peninsula. Then the Cretans-Minoans began to settle in these places, and already in the XIV century BC the island became the second homeland for the Mycenaeans, who grew out of the Minoan civilization. It was they who sent 30 ships from Kos to the Trojan War, which raged at the turn of the XIII-XII centuries BC. A few centuries later, the Dorians began to look closely at the island, who founded the city of Kos on the island in about 700 BC. Together with the cities of Yalis, Kamir and Lind (all located on the island of Rhodes), as well as Halicarnassus (now Bodrum) and Cnidus (the peninsula of Asia Minor), it was part of the Dorian Hexagon.
When the Persians, who captured Kos in the 5th century BC, were subsequently defeated in Greece, the island in 479 BC. e. became part of the Athens Maritime Union. The famous Hippocrates was born here in 460 BC, and the inhabitants of the island built the equally famous Asklepion after the death of the founder of the first medical school. It functioned as a hospital, thousands of patients from all over the Mediterranean region came here to be treated. They received all appointments and procedures based on the methods developed by the "father of medicine".
366 BC went down in history as the date of the founding of the city of Kos in its present place. The former capital of the island, Astypalea, was moved here. The city, taking into account the favorable geographical position between the West and the East, in the IV century BC began to develop rapidly, reaching the apogee of its economic growth and political influence. In those distant times, just imagine, 160 thousand people lived on this small island. Kos was an exporter of olive oil, wine, fruit, timber and was widely recognized as a producer of quality silk. The production of the latter was mainly carried out by the Romans.
Then Kos became part of the empire of Alexander the Great. After the death of the great conqueror, the Ptolemies established dominion over him. In 2083 BC, the ruler of Egypt, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, was born here, a descendant of first a satrap, and then the Egyptian king Ptolemy I Soter and Berenice I, who was possibly his half-sister on his father's side.
In 102 BC, Queen Cleopatra, wife of Ptolemy VIII Everget, brought her grandson Alexander to the island. Here the boy received protection and education, for which the grateful grandmother presented rich gifts to the temple of Asclepius. These treasures were captured by the Persian king Mithridates. The Persians, who established a tyrannical rule on Kos, owned the island for several centuries, until the Romans liberated it in 82 BC. The apostle Paul also set foot on this blessed land. A disciple of Christ visited him during one of his missionary trips. He also created the first Christian communities here.
"The power is changing again!" - the hero of the popular Soviet comedy would have exclaimed if he were on Kos in 1204. This and several other islands of the Dodecanese began to be ruled by the Franks. Then the power changed again: Kos was conquered by Michael Palaeologus, the ruler of the powerful Byzantine Empire. The future resort was often attacked by numerous enemies, the Saracens carried the greatest danger. Over time, Byzantium began to decline and could no longer hold its maritime possessions. As a result, Kos passed to the Genoese. However, they, who were more looking for commercial benefits, turned their attention to the possibilities of Rhodes, and simply sold the "unnecessary" Kos. The buyer was Fulk de Vilaret, Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of St. John.
About a century later, the new owners decided to build a large fortress on the island (it is located at the entrance to the port) and other fortifications. Not only stones, but also marble of ancient palaces and temples were used as a building material. The knights of the Order of St. John also treated the antique mosaics barbarously, taking them to Rhodes, to the Old City, and decorating the floor of the Grand Master's palace with them. However, the knights either could not, or did not have time to deal with the entire cultural heritage of Kos. Recently, archaeological excavations have taken place here, and other examples of mosaic art have been discovered in different parts of the island, which have impressed historians with their beauty and splendor.
The Turks fought this order, having won first in Rhodes, and then in Kos, capturing the latter in 1522. However, the power of the Ottoman Port from the best side did not show itself at all. On the contrary, the Turks ruled very harshly: and not only on Kos, but throughout Greece. The French historian Pukeville cites data according to which during the entire period of the Turkish occupation 11 Greek patriarchs, 100 bishops and 6 thousand ordinary clergymen died for their homeland and faith. The Ottoman Empire held Kos until 1912, when it was replaced by the Italian Kingdom. The Italians, of course, did not grant the long-awaited freedom to the Greeks either. The fascist ruler Benito Mussolini dreamed of the revival of the Great Roman Empire and saw the future of Greece only in the status of one of its provinces.
In 1933, a terrible earthquake struck the island, which resulted in significant destruction. The elements did not spare many monuments of the Middle Ages, but, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining: from the depths of the earth, artifacts of the ancient period appeared to the surface. Excavations continue to this day, and the more valuable finds they discover.
In 1943, the Italians were replaced by the Germans, whose rule after the Second World War ended, and Kos came under the protectorate of Great Britain. The reunification of the island with its historical homeland, Greece, took place only in 1948. This event was marked by a symbolic act: the then mayor of Athens, Ioannis Pitsikas, flew over the island in an airplane and dropped the national blue and white striped flag on it. This relic is still kept in the office of the head of the municipality of Kos.
Resorts and beaches
Kos stretches from west to east a little more than 45 kilometers, and in width, it is only in the central part, almost 11 kilometers. The local airport Hippocrates is located in the center, near the village of Antimachia. There are also villages inside the island, many of which are very popular with tourists. Let's name some of them: Pili, Kefalovrisi, Zia, Asfendiu. But the entire tourist infrastructure is, of course, concentrated closer to the sea, on the southern and northern coasts.
One of the most popular resorts, Lambi, is close to the administrative center - the city of Kos. It is here that the tourist and party life of the island's capital is concentrated. After relaxing on the beaches, vacationers are happy to get acquainted with the sights of the city, which is home to more than half of the population. After a strong earthquake in 1933, the city of Kos was literally rebuilt from ruins, but the most famous ancient monuments, fortunately, have survived. Residential buildings are mostly two-storey.
To the east of the administrative center is the Psalidi resort area. The beach here is long, covered with pebbles; there is a motorway nearby. Between the beach and the road, there is a series of hotels where tourists stay. Strong winds are frequent in this part of the island, which attracts windsurfers. On the coast near this resort there are thermal springs, the water of which contains a lot of sulfur.
One of the most picturesque resorts on the island is Kefalos, which emerged on the site of its ancient capital. The distance between it and the present capital is 43 km. The village is notable for the fact that it has many monuments from two eras - Roman and medieval (for example, an old windmill). The sea on the local sandy beach, when compared with others, is somewhat colder, and all because of the current. The village, thanks to its well-located bay, is one of the main windsurfing centers on the island; there is a rental office for water sports equipment. A little, however, the wind brings, it is not as powerful as on the beaches in the northern part of Kos.
To the east of Kefalos are the most popular beaches of the entire island: Paradise Beach, Kamari and Agios Stefanos. The landscape of the latter is especially impressive; its dominants are the ruins of a basilica from the times of the Byzantine Empire and a coastal island with an old church. The water here is pure, and the sand is soft-soft.
The area of shallow sandy beaches of Tigaki, which is located west of the city of Kos, stretches for more than 10 km. It formed around the village of the same name. Two more beach areas, Mastichari and Marmari, have also formed around the villages of the same name. The first is a small port and the second is a fishing village. The sand here is simply gorgeous, the coast is shallow, but the sea is often agitated, trying to "hinder" vacationers from indulging in relaxation. On such days, vacationers are fenced off from the awakening waves and wind with special tents.
Another picturesque port city is Kardamena, located on the south coast. After the town of Kos, it is the second largest tourist center of the island, often referred to as the "capital" of nightlife. More than half of the adjacent beaches are wild, the sand is combined with rocky areas of little use for recreation, and boulders can be found in the sea. Not all holidaymakers are ready to sacrifice comfort for the sake of staying in the wilderness, so they do not hesitate to travel from one and a half to three kilometers to find themselves on the civilized beaches of Banana Beach and Atlantis, equipped with all the necessary infrastructure. After swimming and sunbathing, you can set aside time to explore the local attractions. Among them, we highlight the medieval castle, the Kos amphitheater and the ruins of ancient temples.
And finally, let us focus on the resort of Agios Fokas, located in the southeastern part of the island. It is an actively developing resort area with many new hotels. From here it is very close to the popular Therme beach, which is famous for its hot spring (we will return to it below).
Summarizing the information about the beaches and resorts of the island of Kos, it should be noted that, first of all, they impress with their diversity. The beaches here are both long and very small. On some, the sand is white, on others - golden, on the third - black volcanic. There are pebble beaches with picturesque bays. In some shallow areas, you can even stumble upon natural "Jacuzzi" with countless bubbles rising from the bottom.
In addition to windsurfing, there are many other activities to your liking on the main beaches of all Kos resorts. For example, the opportunity to go diving or ride a boat, banana boat and catamaran. If you are relaxing on a public beach, you will have to pay for a sun lounger. In some cases, the tariff includes the cost of a drink or a snack, since such beaches are often divided into "zones of influence" between the owners of local taverns. Since tourists very rarely rest alone, the price is set for the use of two sun loungers and an umbrella and ranges from 3 to 15 euros. You can save money on sun loungers only in one case - if you order food in a tavern. And if you want to save money on food, in this case, you will have to sacrifice comfort by moving from the “civilized” territory to the “wild” part of the beach.
Kos landmarks
In addition to its resorts and beaches, Kos's business cards are monuments of antiquity, the ruins of ruined fortresses and small villages scattered throughout the island, in the vicinity of which goats graze carelessly. Travelers, especially those who have come from large metropolitan areas, are touched by this domestic patriarchal way of life. It is quiet, calm and comfortable here - what else is needed for a good rest?
But back to the sights and start our small overview with the main monument of the island. This is Asklepion, located just a few kilometers from the administrative center. It is considered one of the first hospitals in the history of mankind and dates back to the 3rd century BC. There are several terraces in Asklepion. The patients were placed on the middle, and here they prayed: the hospital and the surrounding temples were connected to local springs by means of pipes. The upper terrace was crowned with another temple. But on the lower terrace, doctors improved their qualifications. Even Hippocrates himself, according to legend, studied here. All in all, in Greece at that time there were several hundred such hospitals, erected in honor of the god of medicine Asclepius.
Now let's turn our attention to the fortress of the knights-johannite, erected in the 15th century. The materials obtained after the dismantling of the buildings of the ancient agora were used for construction. The castle, which was located in the old part of the capital of Kos, has not survived to this day in its original form. Its territory has long been overgrown with weeds, and you should be careful to walk along it, because under the walls of the former fortress there is a port where life is in full swing.
After walking around the territory, do not rush to leave. Opposite the ruins, across the bridge, there is a tree connected in one way or another with the name of Hippocrates. This is a plane tree, which is over 500 years old. According to the main version, it was planted by the great scientist himself, and according to the other, he is considered a descendant of the Hippocratic plane tree, under the crowns of which about two and a half thousand years ago, the founder of medicine gave lessons to his followers.
The ruins of the aforementioned agora from Roman times have also been preserved here. After examining them, you can go to the central square of Eleftherias. Its dominant feature is the Haji Hasan Mosque, named after the Ottoman governor of the island. Here, on the square, there are many cozy cafes where it is pleasant to relax with friends. Another Greco-Roman monument in the Old Town is the Casa Romana villa, built in the 2nd century BC. However, her building is not original: it has been recreated from ruins. The restorers have also restored fragments of bas-reliefs, swimming pools and even crockery.
On the island of Kos there is the only hydrogen sulphide spring, Therme, which goes directly to the sea. It is located 12 km east of Asklepion, on the wild beach of the same name, devoid of any infrastructure. The natural boundary of the source is the boulders that fenced it off from the sea, due to which the pool was formed. The spring is thermal, therefore the water is hot, its temperature exceeds +40 ... + 50 degrees Celsius. To achieve a therapeutic effect, it makes no sense to be limited to one or two procedures - you need regularity.
Right on the beach at Agios Stefanos, Kefalos resort, there are the ruins of a Christian basilica dating back to the 5th century. Moving into the interior of the island and climbing the mountains, you will see one of the most mysterious local attractions - the Byzantine fortress of Paleo Pili. Time did not spare it, it was destroyed, however, today it is of great interest as the former capital of Kos until the middle of the 19th century. But the Italian fortress of Antimachia, rebuilt by the knights of St. John in the 15th century, has survived well to this day. It rises above Kardamena, on the southern coast of the island.
Recreation and entertainment
Does the name "Meltemi" mean anything to you? Most likely no. And if you ask the same question to windsurfers vacationing on Kos, then the answer can be obtained immediately. This is the name of the north wind from the Aegean Sea, blowing on the island from June to the end of September, that is, all summer. It is to him that fans of windsurfing, this popular type of sailing and water entertainment, owe excellent conditions for skiing. Meltemi is distinguished by enviable constancy: it starts blowing in the morning, intensifies by lunchtime and subsides only after six in the evening. Sometimes he takes a few "days off", but then invariably comes back.
Almost all the beach areas of Kos, including the wild ones, are great not only for windsurfing, but also for surfing with a kite - kitesurfing. On civilized beaches, you can rent the necessary equipment for both sports. Many of them - Kardamene, Mastichari, Psalidi, Kefalos, Marmari - have surf stations where an experienced instructor will work with you. Two-hour private lessons with a windsurfing instructor cost from 70 euros, group lessons are slightly cheaper - from 60 euros. A professional kitesurfing lesson will cost twice as much, from 120 euros for two hours.
Professional surfers tend to places where the accelerating effect of the so-called wind tunnel is created. Such places are found on the wild beaches of the western part of the island and in the resorts of Agios Fokas and Psalidi, which are at its eastern end. The wind blows here stronger than anywhere else on the Kos, but the longed-for accelerating effect is achieved only in the bays. For example, in Psalidi, the "wind tunnel" arises due to the angular position of the bay, as well as the geographic factor - opposite the coast of Turkey. On the beaches of Kefalos, on the northern coast - Agios Stefanos and Kamari - the "pipe" in the bay is formed by the mountains in the west and the neighboring island. By the way, these beaches are very popular with Russian surfers.
Where to go with children
The tourist infrastructure of the island of Kos is designed not only for adults but also for children. Young vacationers, in addition to magical sandy beaches, will find playgrounds, mini-pools, water slides and amusement parks at hotels.
Be sure to take your child to the Lido water park. This is the only entertainment facility of its kind on the island, located in its northern part, in the village of Mastihari. The area of the water park is relatively small, about 75 thousand square meters. There are several pools on the territory, including areas for the smallest, as well as water slides - there are six of them. Lido also offers entertainment for adults - several attractions, as they say, with adrenaline.
But there are no zoos in the traditional sense on Kos. But there is a nature reserve Plaka Forest, it is located 30 km from the administrative center of the island. Peacocks live here, which are not at all afraid of people. They even follow the rest on the heels, with all their appearance asking to be fed with something. Interestingly, peacocks in the reserve coexist peacefully with cats. Moreover, right in the forest zone. Plaka Forest has many picnic tables. You are allowed to take food with you, but eating alone or in a narrow circle of friends will not work - peacocks and cats are right there!
It is very interesting to visit horse rides organized by the Rafael's Horse Riding farm. The hotels of the island traditionally provide a free transfer for this event, which is extremely popular among travelers. Briefing is carried out by the British, they also organize excursions around the stable and give out equipment. The smallest participants have the opportunity to ride a pony. Older children usually choose to go for an hour on horseback on the beach. More experienced riders prefer to go on a two-hour horseback ride in the mountains.
Public transport
Moving around the island is carried out mainly by buses. Route maps and timetables are posted at all stops, which, as a surprise to many, are found even in the most uninhabited parts of Kos. Flights, as a rule, are never canceled, but buses often arrive with a delay of 10-15 minutes, or even more.
Suburban flights can be reached from the capital not only to every resort, but also to every remote village. This means that it is easy for travelers to get to the desired place on their own, I do not need the services of accompanying persons. City bus transport runs in the capital of the island. Fare: on suburban flights, it varies depending on the distance and ranges from 1.5 to 4.4 euros, and within the city - from 1.2 in hard European currency. Passengers pay in cash either to the controller or directly to the driver. You do not need to shout to the whole salon that you will be leaving soon. Press the button at the exit and the driver will know to stop.
Taxi is an equally common form of transport in Kos. A checkered car can be called by phone at the time you need, which will automatically add 2-4 euros to the fare, order directly at the parking lot or catch it by "voting" directly on the road. A trip to a distance of less than 10 km will cost a passenger from 7 to 10 euros, and for a 20 km journey, you will have to fork out for 22-25 euros. The taxi fare from the airport to the main resorts of the island starts from 34 euros.
On the coast, the most popular means of transport is the bicycle. Many hotels provide vacationers with a two-wheeled horse completely free of charge, as a bonus. There are also rental points on the island of Kos, there are a lot of them. Renting a bike for 2-3 hours will cost 2-3 euros, so it is more profitable to rent a bike for a whole day for 5 euros.
Another type of transport on Kos, a very original one - tourist trains without rails, designed for two or three open trailers. There are four routes in total. One runs through the city center, the other three lead from the capital to Asklepion, Tigaki and the surrounding villages, respectively. A round trip will cost from 5 euros.
What to bring as a keepsake
There are no exclusive goods or souvenirs that cannot be found in other regions of Greece on Kos. The only exception is olive oil or local wine. Basically, tourists bring with them from here the so-called traditional "Greek" set, which includes halloumi and feta cheeses, olive oil and canned olives, halva, honey, hygiene products with the addition of olive oil, cosmetic products and various souvenirs.
Local wine starts at 3 euros. Moreover, many hotels have their own branded wine, which is served to guests. But olive oil is much more expensive, so in order to save money, it is recommended to buy it directly from farmers. The cost is from 15 euros for one and a half liters.
It should be remembered that prices in chain stores - for example, in Konstantinos, Spar and others - are always lower than in small private stores and shops. There is such an unspoken rule on Kos, which is strictly observed. Mini-markets are overwhelmed with clothes and shoes, the assortment is mainly imported, from Turkey - after all, neighboring Bodrum, one might say, is just a stone's throw away, the distance is a little more than 20 km. The product is not expensive, but its quality is not at a high level either.
Communication and Internet
The island of Kos may seem to someone lost in the sea, but it cannot be called detached from the "mainland". This small piece of land has strong reception from the main Greek mobile operators: Wind, Cosmote and Vodafone. The latter has a particularly stable coverage, the signal is not lost even in mountainous areas, so all Russian mobile operators have entered into roaming contracts with Vodafone. You can only purchase prepaid tariffs from local mobile operators that do not include a monthly fee. The account is usually credited with an amount of 5 to 10 euros.
A minute of conversation with Russia will cost from 13 to 15 euro cents. Local operators sometimes offer packages of minutes for calls abroad at a discounted price of 8 to 9 euro cents per minute. Many tourists get a Greek SIM-card upon arrival in order to be able to connect to the mobile Internet outside of roaming. For example, the operator Wind debits 5 euros from the account for 1 GB of traffic. The 5 GB package will cost 15 euros.
Most of the local cafes and restaurants provide free Wi-Fi, although it is somewhat worse than in Crete and Rhodes. It is upsetting that free wireless Internet access is not available in large shopping centers and even in international chain stores. There is no wi-fi in the island's public transport, nor is it in public places. Hotels are gradually moving away from the practice of paid distribution of wireless access. But at the airport there is free Wi-Fi.
Hotels and Accommodation
Kos boasts over 350 hotels, guest houses and apartment complexes. In this heavenly place, you can also rent private housing: a room or a whole house. In the simplest economy-class apartments and two-star hotels, a room for two will cost 23 euros in high season.
Accommodation in three-star hotels and superior apartments ranges from 40 to 50 euros per night in a double room. But double rooms in four-star and five-star hotels with half board or all-inclusive system cost 110-120 euros.
There are many chain hotels with a high level of service on Kos. They have a huge territory with swimming pools, water slides, sports and playgrounds and even whole water parks. The cost of living in such hotels, of course, is higher and ranges from 160-180 euros.
Most of the hotels have their own parking lots. Free Wi-Fi is available to guests not only at the reception, but also in the apartments. And, as mentioned above, many hotels offer their guests a free bike rental as a bonus, moreover, for several days.
How to get there
In the high season, that is, in June-September, direct charter flights are carried out to the island of Kos from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Samara and other million-plus cities. A roundtrip ticket costs between 200 and 260 euros. The travel time also varies: if you set off from the capital Vnukovo, you will spend 3 hours 30 minutes in the air, and if from the Petersburg Pulkovo, then all 4 hours.
Regardless of the tourist season and time of year, there are flights to Kos with a transfer in Athens or Thessaloniki. From Russia with one or two transfers, you can get through Vienna, Munich, Dusseldorf. The round trip will cost you from € 290.
All planes arriving in Kos are received by the only local airport, Hippocrates, which is located in the very center of the island. The air harbor is connected to each of the resorts by a bus route, the ticket price is 3-7 euros. You can also get there by taxi, but it will cost more, from 18 to 40 euros.
There is also a ferry service with the island of Kos. The largest local carrier, Blue Star Ferries, operates ferries from the Greek capital and through the island of Syros, the most populous island in the Cyclades archipelago, 140 km southeast of Athens. You will spend from 8.5 to 10 hours on the ferry, the fare is 45 euros. Most ferries arrive in the capital and at the same time the main port of the island - the city of Kos.
Kos is a small but very cozy Greek island located on the shores of the Aegean Sea. Kos belongs to the Dodecanese archipelago, on the map its length is 45 km, but this does not mean that the island will be boring, there is something to do here.
In addition to a beach holiday, boat trips, kitesurfing, and hiking are popular on the island. The island was chosen by tourists with children, as there are a large number of beaches on Kos, there is no sweltering heat even in the warmest months.
Cheap flights to Kos
| Where | departure date | Return date | Find a ticket |
Athens | |||
Dusseldorf | |||
Milan | |||
Hamburg | |||
Frankfurt am Main | |||
Istanbul | |||
London | |||
Brussels | |||
Copenhagen | |||
Berlin |
There are many hotels of different categories on the island; it is considered one of the cheapest resorts in Greece.
Kos Island Map
Kos is the birthplace of Hippocrates, the famous healer who wrote the "Hippocratic Oath", on the island a lot is associated with his name, even the airport is named after him.
In the capital of the island, in the city of Kos, there is the plane tree of Hippocrates. According to legend, under the shade of this tree, Hippocrates taught his students the basics of medicine. This place is very popular with tourists, everyone wants to take a photo with this famous tree in the background.
Right next to the plane tree of Hippocrates is the main attraction of the island - the castle of Kos. You should come here with the whole family, inspect the castle from the outside, inside, climb to the very top, a beautiful panorama of the city and the sea opens from the height of the castle.
Another significant place on the island is the Asklepion Temple. This temple was the place of worship of the god of medicine Asklepion, it is located not far from the center of the capital, you can cheerfully get here on a tourist train.
On the map of the island of Kos there is an amazing place - Plaka, a pine forest with tame peacocks and cats. All vacationers, especially families with children, should come here, just remember to bring food for animals with you. Peacocks in a friendly crowd surround all those who have arrived and beg for delicacies. This mini-zoo will not leave anyone indifferent, well, where else can you meet such a friendly family of peacocks and cats.
On Kos there is a very small village of Zia, there is nothing special in it, but in the evenings crowds of tourists come here to watch the sunset. It is believed that it is in this village that the most beautiful sunsets on the entire island. So don't miss this evening show.
If someone gets tired of the sea, then you can go to the water park "Lido", it is not very large, but compact. Adults, and even more so children, will be delighted with the crazy slides and all kinds of attractions. Pamper yourself with positive emotions at the water park.
On the map, very close to Kos there are the small islands of Kalymnos and Nisyros. The first is famous for the extraction of sea sponges, and the second for its active volcano. It is also advisable to visit these islands for a change and a change of scenery. You can get to them by boat or ferry, it will not take much time.
Returning home, we always bring souvenirs to ourselves, to our relatives and friends. So, on the Kos there is a wonderful tomato jam, you will definitely not find this anywhere else, so this miracle must be bought. Also, Kos is proud of its cheeses, especially good cheese in wine and fragrant honey.
Nobody wants to leave the small, cozy Kos, so you can make a promise to the island that we will definitely return to it. And just in case, you should throw a coin into the sea and say "See you soon Kos!"
