Architecture of hotels, villas and pensions has characteristics of neo-styles and
secession. Facades and ornaments on the buildings show the Mediterranean spirit.
Yacht charter Kos – the key to your perfect sailing holiday. Find more about this destination: history, sights, climate, how to arrive info etc. Charter a sailingboat, motoryacht, catamaran or gulet and sail away... Kos awaits you
Location and climate
The island of Kos is the third largest in archipelago Dodecanese in the
Aegean Sea (“Dodecanese” in Greek means “twelve islands”), close to
the coasts of Asia Minor. It is situated north west of Rhodes and south
east of continental Greece. In regard to size, Kos is the third largest
after Rhodes and Karpathos.
Mild Mediterranean climate brings to the island of Kos a lot of sunny
days throughout the year. Due to its position the water temperature
remains quite high during many months which allow the visitors
swim in it even in the low season.
History and sights
Like many other locations in the Mediterranean, the island of Kos had
a turbulent history. The first settlement was founded in 366 BC and
flourished because of its closeness to Asia Minor. Hippocrates, the
father of medicine was born here in fourth century BC. Alexander the
Great conquered it after a devastating earthquake in sixth century BC.
After that it Ptolemy II of Egypt reigned and the place was thriving
again. Then followed the Romans and the Byzantines. In 1522 the
Turks occupied the island and ruled for four hundred years. In 1912,
Italian forces replaced the Turks and held the island until 1943 when
it was overtaken by Germans. It was liberated by the United Kingdom
in WWII and regained by Greece in 1947.
The various different civilizations and empires all left pieces of
themselves behind. One of the most popular attractions is the old
plane tree under which Hipocrates used to teach his pupils, and the
nearby Neratzia Fortress, built by the Knights of St. John whose aim
was to defend the island from the Ottomans (15th century).
The monument Asklepeion is located about 3 km form the town
and long ago it was dedicated to the god of healing Aslklepios.
Hippocratic philosophy that became the foundation of western
medicine was practiced here.
In the neighbourhood of Kos there are numerous small villages and
you will definitely have a good time if you decide to take a care and
discover them. You will find several ancient and medieval settlements
embellished with old churches.
Today
In Kos today, tourism is taken very seriously. It is a modern town
with excellent holiday apartments, hotels, bars, and night clubs. The
tourist organisations in the island also organize various interesting
excursions. You can eat here in the town’s taverns and restaurants
offering Greek and international cuisine. The centre of “life” is in Kos,
but there are dining places everywhere on the island and on the
several beaches. If you come here don’t miss to try the “Red Cheese”, a
local specialty - cheese baked with red wine. The island of Kos is very
popular and people here cater to the needs of their visitors. There are
numerous shops where you can buy virtually anything you need –
souvenirs, jewellery, garments and books.
How to arrive?
By plane
If you arrive by plane you will lend down on the international
airport “Hippocrates” which is located nearby the village of
Antimahia, located 26 kilometres south-west of the town Kos.
There are regular flights from the Athens International Airport and to
and from nearby Rhodes Island.
During seasons there are charter flights from many European cities.
By car or bus
The main bus station is located in Kos Town, on Kleopatras Street.
Ten daily buses drive to the village of Tigaki, six to Kefalos via the
beaches of Paradise, Agios Stefanos and Kamari, five to Mastihari, five
to Pyli and three to Zia.
From the bus stop located on Akti Kountouriotou, in Kos Town, regular
buses are serving the Asclepion, Lampi and Agios Fokas.
By ship
There are many ferries navigating the Aegean Sea by which you can
reach the Kos Islands. Some of them operate on daily basis, such
as the connection between Kos, Rhodes and Athens, as well as the
between other Dodecanese islands. From Kos you can travel by a
ferry to Mykonos, Syros and Thessaloniki. During season there is a
daily ferry between Kos and Bodrum, located in Turkey.
During seasons hydrofoils link Kos and Rhodes and all the major
islands of the Dodecanese. There are daily hydrofoils between Samos,
Ikaria and Fourni (in the north-eastern Aegean).