The town of Kos

The capital town and the port of Kos, bearing the same name as the island, a mosaic of tradition, history and modern architecture, is located on the north-east coast, within a stone´s throw from the Turkish coast. In the foreground, it has plenty of green vegetation, trees and palm trees, in the background you will see high hills, and traces of historical events scattered all over the metropolis - all that, and much more, is Kos. Although the town was hit by a devastating earthquake in the 1930s, today you will see no signs of any disaster. Everything has been built up again so that this picturesque place could provide perfect environment for its visitors so that they can spend their summer holiday full of walks, bathing in the sea, shopping and entertainment. 

History of Kos

The town of Kos has a rich history, which is not wonder since it was founded in the 4th century BC. During the centuries, various nations struggling to dominate the town were taking turns. with each of them leaving there its traces. One of them is the medieval Castle of the Knights of St. John which is about 600 years old, then an ancient amphitheatre with a beautiful rounded auditorium made of marble, remains of Roman baths, and thanks to the proximity of Turkey, there is also a muslim mosque. Near the fortress, you can see the Hippocrates’ plane tree with a circumference of 12 metres. It is said to have been planted by the illustrious doctor himself. We don´t really need to spoil this beautiful legend with the fact that the tree is only five hundred years old, and so, it is much younger. To pay tribute to the founder of modern medicine, there is a popular festival being held regularly in Kos with music, dance, theatre performances and good food you should definitely not miss. Near the plane tree, you can admire the Agora, an ancient marketplace from the era of the 4th to the 3rd century BC. You can also visit the archaeological museum to see the exhibition of discoveries from local archaeological sites. For a list of places of interest, see Museums and historical sites or Natural places of interest.

What to do in Kos?

As every nig town, Kos also has a variety of souvenir shops, basic but also luxury goods, tavernas, restaurants, bars and cafés. During the night the town becomes lively with a different energy: the nightclubs and discos aretempting to drink and dance until the dawn. To make trips to the surroundings, you can rent a bicycle, a motorbike or a car and set off to get to know the beauties of the island. For example, in the nearby Psalidi or Lambi, you will find a nice beach with sand and pebbles. There is parking for free near the port and also some of the historical sites. In most car rental offices, you will get a map of car parks and parking spaces in the town.

Kos beach

The main beach in Kos is covered with pebbles, yet in the surroundings, you can find more beaches with various conditions suitable both for bathing and water sports. They usually have umbrellas and deckchairs and the possibility of refreshment.

Where else to go on Kos?

Some of the most visited resorts on Kos are: Agios Fokas, Kardamena, Kefalos, Lambi, Marmari, Mastichari, Kos, Psalidi and Tigaki.