Kos island

General info:

Kos lies between the islands of Kalymnos and Nisyros and it is the third in size Island of the Dodecanese cluster covering an area of 300 square km approximately and having a population of some 31,000 residents.
Renown since antiquity as “the Island of Hippocrates”, the Father of Medicine, Kos is today a cosmopolitan island attracting plenty of visitors, for its outstanding natural beauty, its long history and its unique atmosphere. 
Endowed with an excellent mild climate, a fertile subsoil and an attractive diverse relief, the island is characterized by forested mountains, cultivated lands, mineral springs, abundant waters and splendid beaches.
Scattered around its landscape, archaeological sites of great importance, medieval castles and elegant mansions, Byzantine churches and  delightful chapels witness the glorious past of Kos.
Traditional settlements and cosmopolitan resorts that offer tourist services of high quality and an exciting night life coexist harmoniously, providing thus numerous alternative options whatever your tastes or mood may be.

Historical profile:

According to excavations finds at the site of Aspri Petra, Kos has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age and it was colonized by the Mycenaeans in 1450 BC. The island soon became a powerful trade center and it was flourishes considerably at those times. During the Archaic Age,    Dorians settled the island, and Kos became part of the Dorian Hexapolis (an alliance of six cities). In the 4th century BC it came under Carian authority and was liberated by the Macedonians.
 In 460 Hippocrates the founder of Medicine was born and the Sanctuary of Asclepius (Asclepieion, a kind of medical school) was founded.  After the fall of the Macedonian Empire it developed relation with Egypt and a new era of prosperity started for Kos. In later centuries it was dominated by the Romans.  After the continuous pirates raids and two devastating earthquakes   in 469 and in 556 accordingly, Kos started to decline.

In the centuries followed, the island  became part of the Byzantine Empire while in the 14th century the Knights of Rhodes took over it  until 1522 when it was occupied by the Ottomans.   
In 1912 the Italians ruled Kos and they tried persistently to assimilate locals to the Italian culture, religion and way of life, by intervening drastically to all levels of social and economical structure.   Many of the remarkable building that were erected at that time are still can be seen. In 1943 Kos came under German occupation and it was liberated in 1945 while in 1948 it was incorporated in the Greek state.

Villages:

The town of Kos is the island’s capital and port. Built in a lush landscape, the capital has an intense cosmopolitan identity and an elegant beauty.  Around the picturesque harbour that is dominated by the impressive Castle, there are wonderful   mansions  designed according the  Italian style, wide squares adorned with palm trees and flowers, idyllic cobbled alleys and  pleasant streets linen with traditional  taverns and luxurious restaurants, stylish coffee-shops, lounge bars and night clubs.  Wandering through town you will meet delightful neighbourhoods, romantic spots and reminders of the towns’ glorious past, while the night turns the capital to a busy and lively gathering place.
Among the worth-seeing of the capital are the archaeological site   of the ancient walled city, which included   in its boundaries   the ancient Agora, the stadium,  the Temple of Hercules, the shrine of Aphrodite and  a Hellenistic Temple. The Roman baths, the mansions with their extraordinary mosaics and the Casa Romana, a restored luxurious resident are also major pole of attraction.
The 17th - century medieval Castle at the entrance of the port, the basilica of Agios Ioannis (sty. John), the Hippocrates Plane Tree, under which according to tradition he used to teach his students and the mosque of Hassan Pasha are also main features of the capital identity.
In the surrounding area and at the top of a cypress-covered hill lies the Asclepieion (Asklipieion), one of the most important sanctuaries of the ancient world.  Today, part of the ancient stoa, of the Doric temple dedicated the healing god, Asclepius and relics of other temples can be seen.
Finds that  have been uncovered in this site and also from around the island of Kos are exhibited to the Archaeological Museum of the capital.

Asfendiou, just some 15 km southwest to the capital, is considered as one of the prettiest villages of Kos. Spreading along the slopes of the mountain Dikeou (Dikaiou) and surrounded by green scenery, it enchants the visitor with its picturesque houses, its idyllic narrow streets and its wonderful churches with the ones of Asomaton Taxiarchon with its impressive temple and the Basilica of Agios Pavlos (St. Paul) to be the most prevailing.

Kardamena is a seaside resort, situated 30 km approximately southwest to the capital. Built at the same position in which the ancient city of Alasarna was, today is a popular resort attracting plenty of tourists both for its beautiful landscape, its fabulous sandy beach and its intense nightlife. The relics of the ancient city of  Alasarna, the Temple of Apollo and the remarkable basilica of the Holy Divinity are extra reasons for visiting Kardamena.

Kefalos (Kephalos), located 40 km approximately southwest to the capital, is a beautiful village   built on the slopes of a hill and upon the ruins of the ancient capital of Kos. Today is an attractive and a rather busy resort, gathering many visitors due to its quaintness, its stunning beach, -one of the most popular on the island- and its archaeological sites. The remnants of the Castle, the ruins of the ancient city, the extraordinary complex of the paleochristianic basilicas of Agiou Stefanou (St. Stephan) as  well as the Cave of Aspri Petra in which finds from the Neolithic Age have been discovered, are few of the worth-seeing  in Kefalos. 

Antimachia-Mastichari      
Just some 25 km southwest to the capital lies off Antimachia. Built on a beautiful plateau, it is a village that has preserved its traditional identity almost intact by tourism.  Traditional houses, a 14th - century Castle and the well-preserved windmill are the main features of its unembellished character. Haven of Antimachia is the coastal settlement of Mastichari that in recent years has turned to a tourist resort, mainly due to its magnificent beach of crystalline waters which is ideal for sea sports.

Beaches:

Having a coastline of 110 km approximately, Kos offers many types of beaches for all tastes. Either near cosmopolitan resorts or in peaceful coves, the island’s beaches are characterized by their crystal-clear waters and most of them are situated in   scenic environment.

The sandy and organized beach of Kefalos with cold clear waters, the long-stretched  beach of Marmari with soft sand and crystalline waters, particularly ideal for sea sports, the  fine beach of Mastichari  with white sand and sparkling waters are some of the most popular ones.
Other equally beautiful beaches are the Tigaki beach, an endless sandy one, with amazing waters and surrounded by green scenery. The beach of Agios Fokas  pebbled in some parts and sandy in others, with clear waters and  the  one of   Agios Stefanos, with soft sand and clear blue waters are  both organized. The Paradise beach  is  a sandy organized beach of amazing waters surrounded by a relatively  green landscape.

Access:

Kos is connected via scheduled trips from the    Port of Piraeus and during summer season it is also connected with the port of Thessaloniki and of Samos.   There is also regular connection with the rest of the Dodecanese islands.   

Kos is also linked via regular flights with the Airport of Athens of Rhodes, of Astypalea, Mykonos and Kalymnos.

 

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