Kos - Greek Island

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All about Kos island

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ContentKos

The Island of Kos.......................................................................................................................... 4

History of the island ..................................................................................................................... 4

Famous historical persons of Kos

Hippocrates .................................................................................................................................... 5

Mythology

Titanomachy (The Battle against Titans) ................................................................................. 6

«Kinnis», the mythological name of Kos .................................................................................... 6

Hercules in Kos .............................................................................................................................. 7

Shopping – Local products ................................................................................................................ 7

How to reach the island .................................................................................................................... 8

The airport of Kos ............................................................................................................................. 8

The Marina of the town of Kos ........................................................................................................ 8

Moving around on the island............................................................................................................ 9

Excursions to Turkey .......................................................................................................................... 9

The town of Kos ............................................................................................................................ 9

Most important towns, villages and settlements

1. Aghios Focas........................................................................................................................... 11

2. Antimahia ...............................................................................................................................12

3. Asfendiou .................................................................................................................................13

4. Kardamena ............................................................................................................................. 14

5. Kefalos.....................................................................................................................................15

6. Platani (Kermentes)................................................................................................................ 17

7. Pyli ...........................................................................................................................................17

8. Tigaki ......................................................................................................................................18

Beaches..............................................................................................................................................20

The beaches at the town of Kos, Lambi ..................................................................................20

Other beaches of the town of Kos .............................................................................................20

Beaches close to the town, Psalidi ............................................................................................20

Beaches close to the town, Aghios Focas.................................................................................21

Beaches close to the town, Thermes or Empros Thermes ...................................................... 21

Beaches at the Northern Coast (Center), Tigaki .....................................................................22

Beaches at the Northern Coast (Center), Marmari .................................................................23

Beaches at the Northern Coast (Center), Mastihari................................................................23

Beaches at the Southern Coast (Center), Kardamena ............................................................ 24

Beaches in Kefalos area, Kamari (Kefalos Bay)....................................................................25

Beaches in Kefalos area, Kamila (Kefalos) ............................................................................25

Beaches in Kefalos area, Paradise Beach (Kefalos) .............................................................. 26

Beaches in Kefalos area, Magic Beach, Polemi, Exotic Beach............................................. 26

Beaches in Kefalos area, Aghios Stefanos..............................................................................27

Beaches in Kefalos area, Aghios Theologos .........................................................................27




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Beaches in Kefalos area, Limnionas (Kefalos) .......................................................................28

Other Beaches in Kefalos Bay and the area around ............................................................. 28

Several known or …unknown beaches.......................................................................................29

Beaches Naturist tolerant .......................................................................................................... 29

Islets close to Kos

Pserimos .......................................................................................................................................29

Gyali .............................................................................................................................................30

Sightseeing and Museums ............................................................................................................... 30

Archaeological Museum of Kos ................................................................................................30

The Altar of Dionysus................................................................................................................. 32

The Odeon of Kos ....................................................................................................................... 32

The «Asklepieion» ....................................................................................................................... 33

The Early Christian Basilicas of Aghios Stefanos ..................................................................34

The Neratzia Castle, or Castle of Kos .....................................................................................34

Church of Aghios Ioannis Prodromos (St. John the Baptist) ................................................... 35

Hippocrates’ plane tree .............................................................................................................. 36

The building of the Synagogue and the Jewish Community of Kos ...................................... 36

Why to Kos?.......................................................................................................................................36




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KosThe Island of Kos

Kos, the beautiful «island of Hippocrates», according to the Greeks, «the jewel of Aegean» ac-cording to the foreign visitors, is situated at the southern part of Aegean Sea, forming part of the island complex of Dodecanese. It is the third island in size of the complex, with extent of 290 square kilometers, and a coastline 120 kilometers long. The island counts some 30.000 permanent resi-dents, but in summer the population increases as it attracts crowds of tourists, not only Greeks but also people mainly from Northern Europe.

Once on the island, the visitor will «discover» the excellent climate, will admire the green moun-tains decorated with the white spots of the small scenic settlements and villages full of flowers, will be charmed by the excellent beaches with crystal-clear, cool sea, will learn about the glorious past and will live a fascinating present. It is not for nothing that in ancient times, the island was called «Nissos ton Makaron», that is to say, the island of the happy people.

But, Kos does not offer only beautiful nature and hospitality on the part of the residents. Tourist facilities are excellent and the island is easily accessible, thanks to the good air and sea connec-tions. If we top all these with the mild climate in all seasons of the year, the visitor will be, at least, very pleased, although most of the visitors are enthusiastic about the island, they become fans of the island and they keep returning again and again.

The history of the island goes back to the legendary periods of Mythology; then comes the period of glory, as the relics of the past show. The ancient city, the plane tree of Hippocrates, the castles of the Knights of St. John and the nice buildings of the period of the Italian domination seize the eye of the visitor and compete successfully with the wonderful beaches.

Departing from the airport, at the center of the island, or from the port, at the town of Kos, at the eastern part of the island, you may go everywhere on the island. You will enjoy unforgettable drives and see scenic inland villages and endless beaches with crystal-clear blue sea.

In a few words, the island of Kos is one of the best examples, where the modern tourist resorts with full facilities are in harmony with the wonderful natural environment, the mountainous land-scape and the sea and with the warm hospitable villages of the inland.

If we have to describe and characterize Kos in only three words, we would certainly state: «mod-ern, calm, beautiful»

History of the island

As in many other cases, archaeological surveys have confirmed the traditions insisting that the history of Kos goes back to prehistoric times. The excavations at the cave Aspri Petra («white stone») on the hill of Zini at Kefalos have brought to light finds dated in the early 3rd millennium b.C., that is to say in the Early Bronze Age, when several movements of various people took place in the Aegean and the broader area around.

The first settlement in the area of the actual town of Kos would have taken place by the end of the third millennium b.C; ever since, the town exists in various forms and under various dominations. It flourishes during the Minoan and Mycenaean periods and, according to traditions, the island took




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part to the Trojan War with 30 ships. After the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization, the island becomes Doric and a new period of glory starts.

In the Archaic period, during the 7th and 6th centuries b.C., Kos along with the cities of Knidos and Alicarnassos, of the opposite coast and the cities of Rhodes (Ialyssos, Kamiros and Lindos) form the Doric Hexapolis , an economic and political alliance of six cities, whose center is the temple of Apollo Triopios at Knidos.

Later on, Persians conquer the island and the people are forced to participate to the Persian Wars against Greeks.

After the defeat of the Persians at Salamis, Kos becomes free again and takes part to the Athe-nian Alliance. It is the period of Hippocrates, who establishes his school and teaches medicine on the island.

After the Athenian alliance was broken-up, the island entered to and unstable period: frequent invasions and dominations from Persians, Macedonians, the kingdom of Ptolemy and Mithridates, until it was conquered by the Romans.

New days of flourishing followed during the Byzantine period, although the island often suffered from earthquakes. In the 11th century the island was pillaged by the Arabs and after the conquest of Constantinople by the Francs in 1204, the island passed to the Venice, Genoa and finally to the Knights of St. John, who constructed most of the strong fortresses, preserved today.

In 1523, the island passed to Ottoman domination for a long period, up to 1912, when it was given to Italians, along with the rest of the Dodecanese. During the World War II, the island passed to German occupation, from 1943 up to the end of the war. From 1945, the island was under the government of British troops, until 1948 when it was finally given to Greece.

Kos is one, among several, of the towns that have kept the same name for millenniums. It is dif-ficult to know the origin of its name; several suggestions have been made about it. Having passed through centuries and various changes, from the mythological fight of the Giant Polyvotis with Po-seidon, up to the foreign domination that ended in 1948, Kos is today on its way to prosperity and development.

Famous historical persons of KosHippocrates

Hippocrates is considered today as the founder of Medical Science, but he was also an important philosopher and a great humanist.

According to his biographer, Soranus from Ephesus, he was born in 460 b.C; however, accord-ing to some scholars it is thought that he was born in 470 b.C., or even earlier, in Astypalaea, the capital city of ancient Kos, situated near Kefalos. Along with Soranus, also Plato and Menon, a doctor who was student of Aristotle, confirm Hippocrates’ origin from Kos. It seems that Kos had already a tradition in Medicine, as both Asclepieion and a famous medical school existed on the island even before Hippocrates.

Following Mythology and local tradition, Hippocrates was considered as a descendant of Her-




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cules. His father, also a famous doctor was called Herakleides and his mother Faenarete. He was married to Avlovia and had three children.

By the end of his life, Hippocrates moved to Thessaly; for that reason he was given the name «Thessalos» (Thessalian). Ancient traditions state that he died very old, at the age of 104 years, and was buried near Larissa; for many years a swarm of bees flew above his tomb and the honey they produced was said to have healing qualities. Only a few historic details of the life of this im-portant person are available in ancient historic sources. Most important among them are certainly the references of Plato and Aristotle, who calls him «Great».

Hippocrates had set the bases of rational medicine during the «golden age» in Athens. Follow-ing the long tradition of the doctors of the island, Hippocrates achieved to classify with an excellent method all the data available about diseases and human body. Leaving apart many superstitions and rejecting religious explanations, he considered the human body as an organism which gets ill whenever it is not well cured.

Numerous medical works are attributed to Hippocrates, but, as modern works have clearly shown, several of them were written either by his students or by other famous doctors, contemporary to him. Many of these works were preserved thanks to their continuous reproduction in form of instructive leaflets. His works were extensively studied and commented by famous scholars both of antiquity and of medieval times. Some of the works of Hippocrates were preserved thanks to the copies kept in the Byzantine monasteries. The most well known works are «Precepts» «Epidemics», «Nutriment» «Ancient Medicine» etc.

The oath that Hippocrates established for doctors is in use even today and bears his name (Hippocratic Oath).

MythologyTitanomachy (The Battle against Titans)

According to Greek Mythology, Titans and their brothers, the Giants, all of them sons of Gaea and Ouranos (Earth and Sky), dominated the universe before the Olympian gods. Their leader was Cronos (Saturne), the father of Zeus. When Zeus and his brothers and sisters decided to expel Cronos from his throne, a hard and violent fighting took place between the Titans and the new generation of gods, all over the Mediterranean area. It was during one these battles that Poseidon (Neptune) pursued the giant Polyvotis. When he was about catching him up, they had arrived near Kos. Thus, Poseidon detached a huge rock from the island and fell it down upon the giant. This latter didn’t die, immortal as he was. He keeps ever since snarling and breathing out fire. This rock is the small island of Nisyros, with its volcano, still active. What a nice mythological explanation of a natural phenomenon! And, according to contemporary geological surveys, the island of Nisyros was, in fact, detached from Kos after a strong earthquake.

«Kinnis», the mythological name of Kos

Kinnis, the mythological name of the island is also due to a Titan. According to another myth, the Titan Kinnos, along with his brothers Phoebus and Chios took refuge on Kos when pursued by the Olympian gods during Titanomachy.




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Hercules in Kos

The island is also linked to Hercules. According to the myth, Hercules, on his way back to Greece, after an expedition to Troy, fell in a storm sent by Hera who hated him very much. Five out of the six boats of Hercules went down and only him along with a few friends survived and swam to the nearest beach that happened to be the cape Gourniatis at Kos.

Once ashore the shipwrecked people came across a shepherd called Antagoras and asked shel-ter and food from him. Antagoras refused and insulted Hercules and his friends. The hero got mad and fought with the shepherd. As fighting lasted long, without a clear victory of either, the friends of Hercules, as well as the friends of Antagoras, coming from the nearby city of Antimachia, were also involved. After a while, Hercules and his friends escaped and found refuge in the house of a Thracian woman; disguised to women, they escaped though the nearby wood and arrived to a town close to the actual village of Pyli. The residents of the town welcomed the refugees and declared the war to the people of Antimachia. Eyrypylos, the king with Antimachia, fought with Hercules and, after a strong fighting, Hercules, although wounded, ended up by killing him. After that, the people of Antimachia elected Halkon to be their king and his sister Halkiopi became the wife of Hercules. Halkiopi gave birth to a son, called Thessalos, who, later, would become the king of Kos and Nisyros.

Shopping – Local productsBoth the town of Kos and the tourist resorts all over the island are full of stores where you may

buy souvenirs, local products and delicacies produced on the island.

If you wish more «sophisticated» shopping, you may look for various original local products in the villages of the island. You will find hand woven textiles and cloths at Asfendiou and Antimachia, at the «Antimachiotiko spiti» (in fact, the Folk Museum of the village). Kos produces excellent honey that you may find at Antimachia, Pyli and Kefalos, as well as in the market of the town of Kos. From Pyli you may also buy gorgeous cheese.

The market of Kos has everything you might need: you will find china and crystal objects, nice ceramics and local hand woven clothes, as well as jewels. Prices are affordable and quality very good. Local products not only are a good choice for souvenirs, but it might be a good and useful shopping as well.

In the market of the town of Kos you will find a lot of sweets, either of purely local inspiration, or influenced by the cooking of Asia Minor. Ask for «baklavas», «loukoumades» (the Greek version of donuts, with honey and cinnamon), «chalvas», also with honey, «kourambie» (shortbread biscuits with almonds and castor sugar); don’t miss to taste the famous local sweet «sarsoumades», with honey again, «xerotigano» (fried pastry with honey or syrup), fruits in syrup and various jams. All of them are worth their fame and we recommend you not only to taste all of them, but also bring a small quantity back home, to remind you your… gorgeous holidays!

Don’t think that in Kos people are fed only on…sweets! You will find excellent appetizers for ouzo and wine, but also inventive main dishes. If you taste the excellent pork cooked with crushed wheat, you will remember it for years! But, it is not only this; it is really worth tasting the famous cheeses, as «krassotyri» (cheese cooked in wine), «xynomyzithra» (a sour cheese, very good in salads) and «galo-




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myzithra (a milky local cheese). Also ask for «ladera», wild rabbit «stifado» (with onions and spices), zucchini flowers stuffed with rice, grain bread and savory and always fresh fish and seafood.

How to reach the islandThe most popular (and cheap) way of arriving to Kos is, of course by ferryboat. The island is

connected with Piraeus, Salonica, the rest of the Dodecanese and Cyclades. From Piraeus, there is at least one ship daily (in summer there may be more) and for the local connections (Dodecanese and Cyclades), there is also the possibility of flying dolphins and excursion boats from the nearby island of Kalymnos.

Of course, the most comfortable way is by airplane. From El. Venizelos, the International Air-port of Athens there are some two flights to Kos everyday, all year round (in summer maybe more); there is also connection with Thessalonica, whereas in summer the island is connected with Leros, Astypalaia and Rhodes.

However, the best way, by far, to visit the island is by yacht; if you have not one, it is certainly worth renting one, as it is only in this way that you may reach places and beaches inaccessible to visitors using conventional means of transportation.

The airport of KosThe airport of Kos, officially called «Hippocrates», after the name of the most famous person

originated from the island, ever. The airport is found at the center of the island, close to the village of Antimachia, at a distance of some 27 kilometers western to the town of Kos.

Established in 1964, when the arrivals of tourists started to increase considerably, the airport was initially quite small. But, as the needs kept increasing more and more, it was renovated in 1980, with a new, much bigger aircrafts’ runaway, suitable for the landing of big aircrafts. Later on, in 1990 a new arrivals’ building was constructed, which, in general is sufficient even during the peak periods, for the crowds of passengers arriving every year to the island. The airport offers all the usual facilities; there is an exchange office, duty free shops, rent-a-car services, a café and a parking. The airport is connected with the town of Kos by the Olympic Airways buses. Of course, you may use a rented car, as well as a taxi. As the airport is at the center of the island, taxis can also bring you in every village or resort of Kos.

The Marina of the town of KosThe Marina of the town of Kos is located at the southern entrance of the town, in front of the

square 7 March, very close to the central port. The marine had been inaugurated in 2001 and with its strong artificial water-breaks, not only does it offer a safe shelter to any boat or yacht, but also high quality service and full facilities are available. Additionally, it is very convenient as it is very close to the center of the town. Skippers should know that the geographic coordinates of the marine are 36ο 53΄ N και 27ο 18΄ E. It has a capacity of berthing up to 250 boats and yachts, from 7 to 50 meters long and with maximum draught 5 meters. It has advanced guarding, safety and fire-extinguish systems, rescue and accompanying powerboats and a good reception and service station. Moreover, in the stores of the town you will find all marine equipment necessary for a pleasant and




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safe sailing. Facilities of repairing are also available at the repairing zone, which has a capacity of some 150 vessels. It also has systems of sludge drainage and of immediate treatment of pollu-tion of the sea. Finally, the marina is situated at a distance less than 45 miles far from some 20 islands and from the opposite coast of Turkey.

Moving around on the islandDeparting from the town of Kos, several bus lines connect the port with the center of the town and

with the most important villages and tourist resorts of the island. For short distances, you may also use a taxi. As the major part of the island is flat, bicycle is a very convenient (and popular) means to go from one place to another. Moving on bicycle is also very safe, as in the town of Kos and in the area close to it, there have been previewed lanes exclusively for bicycles. Since there are many things to see, the most comfortable and faster is to use a car (rented or private) and motorbike. If you have a yacht, you may use the marine of the town of Kos and the small ports of Mastihari, Kardamena and Limnionas, for mooring and supply.

Excursions to TurkeyIn summer and up to the end of October, ferryboats and flying dolphins depart daily, from the

port of Kos to Bodrum, at the opposite Turkish coast. The journey lasts some 20 minutes by flying dolphins and about an hour by conventional ships. Bodrum is the actual name of the famous ancient city of Alicarnassos, a place with long and glorious history.

The town of

Kos

The town of Kos, the beautiful capital of the island is situated at the eastern coast of the is-land, within a wonderful overgrown natural environment. The modern town, counting approximately 18.000 permanent residents, has been built at the place of the ancient one; as a result the ruins of past, glorious times are visible everywhere. Moreover, the monuments of each historic period, from the remotest past up to nowadays alternate one another in an interesting cultural blend. The town, with its well-laid large streets and squares, the well restored historic buildings side by side to the modern constructions, has a quite original character.

Although human settlement in the area is dated as early as in the end of the 3rd millennium b. C., the town was in fact established in 366 b.C., when it was founded the new city, the capital city of the state of Kos. The town flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman periods; in these times the agora (market) of Kos was counted among the most important ones. As it happens today, even in past times the majority of economic, political and social activities took place at the port. For that reason, the most important sightseeing within the town is gathered in this area. It is here that you will see the Neratzia Castle, built by the Knights of St. John, as well as the Plane tree, one of the most ancient trees over the world under the shadow of which Hippocrates, the father of Medicine, gave his lessons.




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Many alternatives for accommodation, food and drink, amusement and fun are available in the town. Staying here you may choose any kind of activity: from swimming and water sports to walking, sightseeing and nightlife. Whatever you choose, your holidays will be an unforgettable experience.

The town has many things worth seeing. Most of the ancient ruins of the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman times are found at the South and West of the port of the town.

We recommend you to start your tour from the Archaeological Museum, found at Eleftherias (“free-dom”) square, where you may see mosaics, sculptures and other finds. After the visit in the Museum, if you wish to follow the course of time, you should start from Ancient Agora. The Agora of Kos was so big and active that it was counted among the most important ones in the ancient world. The ruins of several monuments are visible in the site: among others, you will see the Doric temple and the altar of Dionysus, dated in the Hellenistic times, the sanctuary of Aphrodite (Venus), dedicated to Aphrodite Pandemos and Pontia (twin Doric temples) and the sanctuary of Hercules.

Traces of the wall protecting the port and of the portico are still visible today; the constructions had collapsed during the earthquake of 469 A.D. and were replaced by an Early Christian basilica and a Baptistery.

At the western part of the town, you may visit the rectangular stadium, one of the three gymna-sia of the town; you will also see the Roman bathes and the famous Roman houses decorated with excellent mosaic pavements.

Of course, the most interesting and impressive building is the medieval castle, also called the castle of Neratzia, at the entrance of the port. The castle has been constructed by the Knights of St. John who dominated the island in 14th and 15th centuries, to replace the much older Byzantine castle.

The fans of old churches will notice that there are a lot of them in the town. It is worth seeing the basilica of Aghios Ioannis (St. John), the churches of Aghios Antonios, Aghios Nikitas o Ftohos (“the poor”), Aghia Ekaterini, Panaghia Syntriani, Panaghia Tsoukalaria, Aghia Paraskevi, Panaghia Faneromeni and Aghios Nicolaos, who is the protector saint of the town.

One of the more recent monuments worth seeing is the bridge that connects the medieval castle with the area of Hippocrates’ plane tree. Also, you will certainly walk at the palm-trees avenue and bring in mind several films of the 60’s, while a visit to the Municipal Market at Eleftherias square is always interesting and my also be …gorgeous.

Don’t miss to see the “Tax Gate”, which is a part of the wall of the 14th century, and buildings of the period of the Ottoman domination, as the mosques of Ghazhi Hassan Pasha, found at the Loggia square, and the Defendar mosque.

You will also see several more recent monuments, mainly of the period of Italian domination, as the Government house, the Town Hall, the Municipal Information Desk and the Archaeological Museum. The Cultural Center and the cinemas “Orpheus” and “Panellinion”, properly restored, are also nice buildings that will cease your attention, as it happens for numbers of visitors.

You will enjoy very much the square of Aghia Paraskevi with the big ficus, stroll about the scenic pedestrian precincts with the stores and see the Knights’ House at the port.

And, if you like train, you may take a tour of the town by the wheel-driven train that will get you




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up to Asklepeion, the excellent and very important monument situated at a distance of some 3,5 kilometers southwestern to the center of the town.

Click here to view hotels in Kos town by Greekhotel.com - Greekislands.com

Most important towns, villages and settlements

1.

Aghios Focas

Aghios Focas is a tourist resort, organized and developed during the last few years; it is situated at the southern coast of the island, at a distance of 8 kilometers southeastern to the town of Kos. It counts only a few permanent residents.

In fact, the place is less of a real settlement than an extended complex of thinly built tourist con-struction, starting almost from the town of Kos and ending up at the beach of Thermes, with intervals of fields, very nice and overgrown.

The archaeological evidence shows that the area had been inhabited since prehistoric times. At the nearby settlement of Thermes (some 2 kilometers far away, at the West) you may see the nice small church of Aghios Georgios (St. George). The church is found at a low hill above the thermal springs at the beach, and it is hidden by imposing rocks.

Accommodation is easy in several hotels open from April or May (Easter period) until October.

You will find many restaurants and traditional taverns along the coast in the whole area, from the town of Kos up to Thermes; and several snack bars and fast foods will provide you light meals.

The beach of Aghios Focas, partly sandy and partly pebbly, is very nice for swimming and the visitors will have the chance to enjoy several sea sport facilities. You may also swim at the nearby beach of Thermes, some 2 kilometers far from Aghios Focas at the West, where you will also find thermal springs.

In case of health problems, the Health Services of the town of Kos are very close (8 kilometers to the Northwest).

Access from the town of Kos is easy by public buses, running frequently, by taxi and by rented or private car and motorbikes.


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2.

Antimahia

At a distance of 23 kilometers southwestern to the town of Kos and 4 kilometers southern to its port, Mastihari, it is situated the scenic village of Antimahia. It is a traditional village of the ag-ricultural inland of the island, found on a plateau not very high. It counts some 2.200 permanent residents, occupied mainly in agriculture and tourism.

Antimahia is an ancient settlement, found at the same place and holding the same name for more than three thousand years. There are many places worth seeing at the village and in the area around.

Within the village you may visit the «House of Antimahia», a good representation of the tradi-tional house of the early 20th century.

Opposite to the house you may see an old traditional windmill, the so-called «Mylos tou Papa» (the «priest’s mill»).

At a distance of 4 kilometers Northeastern to the village, via a good dirt track, you may see the ruins of the Medieval Castle, built in the 14th century by the order of the Knights of St. John, who also dominated the neighboring island of Rodos (Rodhes). Parts of the external strong walls, some castle-like houses and some cisterns are some of the constructions preserved. You may also see the old churches of Aghios Nicolaos (14th century) and of Aghia Paraskevi (18th century), both of them well enough preserved.

At Mastihari, you will see the ruins of the Early Christian Basilica, with a very nice mosaic floor.

Several alternatives for accommodation are available, within the settlement and in the area around. Lodgings are open from April or May until October and most of them offer full facilities.

Food is good in the taverns of the village, but more popular are the fish taverns in Mastihari, which, along with the delicious fresh fish, also offer a good variety of local delicacies.

Swimming is possible at the beach of Mastihari, the port of Antimahia. The beach is well organ-ized and offers facilities for swimming, sunbathing and sea sports to the visitors.

Apart from its history and the nice landscape, Antimahia is well known for the openhearted locals. The residents of the village are famous as very good dancers and singers; the village has some of the best folk musicians all over Greece. They are also known for their ability to improvise verses, satirical in most cases. Thus, if you are on the island during the period of Carnival, do not miss to attend the Carnival events at Antimahia. You will certainly remember it long after!

There are also two traditional local feasts («panighyri») in the village, on the 30th of June, in honor of the Saint Apostles and on the 15th of August, in honor of the Assumption of Virgin Mary.

But the most important event of the village is the feast of Honey, taking place in late August; apart from dancing, singing and enjoying yourself, you will also have the chance to taste the very good honey of the area, along with a variety of sweets, based on this excellent product of the village.




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Another important and interesting event that everybody expects, is the Wine Festival taking place in early September: you will taste abundant local wine, along with delicacies from the local kitchen and you will enjoy yourself with Greek music and dance, which lasts until the next morning.

In case of health problems, a local Medical Center is available at the village, where you will also find a Police Station.

Access from the town of Kos is easy by public buses, running frequently (Kos- Antimahia- Masti-hari), by taxi and by rented or private car and motorbikes.

From the port of Mastihari (some 4 kilometers northern to Antimahia), you may catch the boat for Kalymnos; the boats depart regularly every day. If you have a yacht, the port of Mastihari is available for mooring.

3.

Asfendiou

The old traditional village of Asfendiou is situated at a distance of 14 kilometers southwestern to the town of Kos, at the mountainside of mountain Dikaio, within an environment with luxuriant green. It is a small village, counting some 100 permanent residents.

The village that flourished for a century, from 1850 to 1940, thanks to viniculture and olive-crop, is very interesting for its architecture. It is composed by two quarters, Evangelistria or Pera Ghitonia and Assomatos.

Once in the village, it is worth seeing the church of Assomati Taxiarhes, built in the 11th cen-tury, with a very nice wood carved icon screen; just off the village you will see the ruins of the Early Christian basilica of Aghios Pavlos (St. Paul).

If you decide to get to the top of mountain Dikaios, at a height of some 840 meters, you will have the chance not only to see the small church of Christ, but also to admire a panoramic view of the island and take wonderful photos.

A few small but very beautiful villages, as Zia, Aghios Dimitrios, Zipari, Tigaki, Linopotis and Lagoudi, found in short distance from Asfendiou is also worth a visit.

Zia is found at a distance of some 2 kilometers southern to Asfendiou, also at the mountainside of Dikaios and offers to the visitor an excellent view, which is the most important attraction for tour-ists, both Greeks and foreigners, but also for the locals. Once at Zia, do not miss to buy souvenirs, mainly folk-art artifacts.

Zia is a good place for eating; you will find several restaurants and traditional taverns, with a good variety of local dishes and Greek cooking. Before arriving to the village, you will also have the chance to see three interesting churches at the foot of mountain Dikaios: the church of Kefalovryssi and those dedicated to the Presentation and the Assumption of Virgin Mary, all of them founded by Saint Christodoulos.

If you like churches, you may also visit the church of Aghios Ioannis Theologos (St. John the Evan-




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gelist), built in the rocks, at the small village of Lagoudi (some 1 kilometer western to Asfendiou), and the small church of Prophet Elias at the top of a hill very close to Asfendiou.

A few rooms to let are available for accommodation for those wishing to spend a couple of days at this beautiful village.

Food is good, both within the village and at the traditional taverns of Zia.

If you stay here, you will swim at the nice and well-organized beach of Tigaki, which is found at a short distance from the village.

Several local feasts («panighyri») take place in the area, at Zipari on the 6th of August celebrat-ing Transfiguration of Christ, at Aghios Dimitrios on the 26th of October, in honor of the homony-mous saint, at Dassaki of Mavrokambies on the feast of Aghios Georgios (St. George) in April and at Lagoudi on the 8th of May in honor of Aghios Ioannis Theologos (St. John the Evangelist).

In case of health problems, a local Medical Center and a drugstore are available at Zipari.

Access from the town of Kos is easy by public bus (running three times a day), by taxi and by rented or private car and motorbikes.

4.

Kardamena

The town of Kardamena is in fact a modern tourist resort, at a distance of 29 kilometers South-western to the capital town of Kos. The houses and other constructions have been built along the long beach extended at both sides of the settlement. The area around is very beautiful, full of culti-vations, trees and green and the natural beauty is one of the attractions of the place. The town has also a small port, from where there is connection with the small island of Nisyros. The population of the town is some 1800 permanent residents.

Once at Kardamena don’t miss to see the old restored building, now housing the local Medical Center and visit the churches of Aghia Varvara (Santa Barbara), Aghioi Anargyroi and the church dedicated to Virgin Mary.

The modern settlement has been built in the area of the ancient city of Alassarna, an important ritual place in Classical Period. Archaeological excavations have brought to light the ruins of a sanctuary dedicated to Apollo and Hercules, some traces of a temple of marble dating back to the 3rd century b.C., an theater and a few constructions of the Roman era. Within the same area you may also see the ruins of the Christian basilica dedicated to Aghia Theotita («Saint Divinity»).

A wide range of hotels of all categories are available for accommodation; all of them are open from April or May (Easter period) until October.

Food is good and delicious in the fish taverns of the place, as well as in trendy restaurants with several dishes of innovative Greek and international cooking.




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You will enjoy swimming, sunbathing and sea sports at the long sandy beach in front of the town. You may also catch the excursion boat, departing daily to Aghia Irini, where you will also find ther-mal springs, suitable for gynaecological problems.

A series of cultural activities, known as «Alasarnia» are organized in the town. Theater, concerts, visual artts’ exhibitions, folk dances, symposia and conferences, along with several competitions (cycling, chess etc) are some of the events taking place during summer.

A «nautical week» is another event organized in the town.

Two local feasts («panighyri») take place at the town, on the 29th of August in honor of Aghios Ioannis (St. John) and on the 8th of September, celebrating the Birth of Virgin Mary.

For health problems a local Medical Center and a drugstore is available in the settlement.

Access from the town of Kos is easy by public buses, with regular service, taxi and rented or pri-vate car and motorbikes. Taxis are available also from the village and, as Kardamena is at the middle of the village, they will get you everywhere.

If you have a yacht, the port of Kardamena is suitable both for mooring and and water and fuel supply.

Click here to view hotels in Kardamena by Greekhotel.com - Greekislands.com

5.

Kefalos

Built on a hill at the western part of the island, Kefalos is a beautiful small town, situated at a distance of 40 kilometers southwestern to the town of Kos. In antiquity it was the capital city of the island; today it counts some 2.500 permanent residents.

The town is built upon a hill, with the houses clung one to another and narrow streets, quite char-acteristic features of the architecture of the islands, which make strolling around a very interesting and fascinating experience. There are several things worth seeing in Kefalos: the «traditional house», which in fact is a folk museum, presenting the agricultural life of the village in past times. Beside the traditional house, you will see the traditional windmill, which complete the image of the way of living of the past. Finally, don’t miss to visit the ruins of the old castle, just off the main settlement.

At Kamari, the port of the town, some 1 kilometer at the East, a marina is available for yachts and small boats, offering facilities for mooring and supply. Here, it is worth seeing the Early Chris-tian basilicas of Aghios Stefanos, dating back to the 5th century; there are preserved parts of the mosaic decoration as well as remnants of the sculpture decoration of the churches.

In short distance across, quite close to the coast, there is the islet of Kastri with the small church of Aghios Nicolaos, the protector of seamen.

If you feel like visiting the area, you may drive to the nearby site of Palatia, at a distance of 3 kilometers southern to Kefalos, where you will see the ruins of «Astypalaea», as it was the name of the ancient capital of the island. The ruins of a temple of Demeter, the godess of agriculture, dated to the 5th century b.C., along with the remnants of a temple dedicated to Aesculapius, of another


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Doric temple and of a theater of the Hellenistic period is what is visible today. Within the archaeo-logical site, upon a hill you may also visit the church dedicated to Virgin Mary; from here you will have an excellent view of Kefalos and of the sea below.

At Zini, some 1-2 kilometers southern to Palatia, it is found the small church of Panaghia Zini-otissa (Virgin Mary), with excellent view of the sea. Close to the church you may visit the cave of «Aspri Trypa» («white hole»), where archaeological excavations have brought to light several finds of the Neolithic period, but also of recent times.

It is worth visiting the Holy Monastery of Aghios Ioannis (St. John) at a distance of 7 kilometers southern to Kefalos. The most interesting sight seeing here is the perennial plane tree, covering al-most totally the small church and reaching even the nearby bell tower.

Another place to go for its wonderful view of the sea, is the small church of Aghios Mamas, built near the ruins of the homonymous old one; the church is found at a distance of 11 kilometers southern to Kefalos.

At the North, some 5 kilometers far from Kefalos, you may visit the small cove of Limnionas, with a small port, a shelter for the small fishing and tourist boats in case of rough sea.

Your exploration of the area is not complete if you don’t visit the remote small church of Aghios Theologos, very close to the sea, within an area with small coves and rocky beaches. If you over-come the problem of the bade road ( some 5 kilometers of dirt track), not only you will see the cute church, but you will also enjoy some nice, remote beaches, where you will meet few people, or you will be alone.

Several hotels of all categories are available for accommodation, both in Kefalos and in the broader area up to the coast.

Food is good, both in the sea front taverns and in the inland ones. Don’t miss to taste the local sweets, above all those made with the famous local honey.

Several beaches around are nice for swimming. Apart from Kamari, you may enjoy swimming at the rest of the beaches of Kefalos Bay, as Chryssi Akti («golden coast»), Polemi, Sun beach, Xerokam-bos, Langades, Paradissos and Camela. Also you may go northwards to the beach of Limnionas, or to Aghios Theologos at the western coast of the area.

If you are at Kefalos in July or August, don’t miss the local feasts («panighyri») on the 26th of July in honor of Aghia Paraskevi, on the 15th of August, celebrating the Assumption of Virgin Mary and on the 29th of August in honor of Aghios Ioannis (St. John). In October it is organized the «tour of Kefalos» and during the Carnival in February or March, the locals and the few tourists have the chance to have fun at the local Carnival feast.

In case of health problems a local Medical Center is available at the town, where you will also find a Police Station.

Access from the town of Kos (40 kilometers far away) is possible with public bus, running fre-quently, as well as by rented or private cars and motorbikes.




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6.

Platani (Kermentes)

The small village of Platani is located very close to the town of Kos, only some 3 kilometers far away at the West. It is a very scenic, «old-fashioned» village with a few hundreds of residents, all of them of Turkish origin, to which the village owes the name «Kermentes».

Very close to the village, you may visit the Jewish cemetery in a nice environment full of pine trees.

But, the main reason to visit the village is its traditional taverns with the gorgeous delicacies they offer. All of them are based on recipes coming from Asia Minor, and, according to the locals, they are the best all over the island.

Health services are available at the nearby town of Kos (3 kilometers eastern to the village).

Access to the village is very easy: the public buses run very frequently and you may also take a taxi, or reach the village by rented or private car and motorbikes.

7.

Pyli

Pyli, the ancient city of Peli, is found at a distance of 15 kilometers southwestern to the town of Kos and 4 kilometers southern to the coastal tourist resort of Marmari, which serves as its port. This small town of 2.500 permanent residents is situated almost at the middle of the island, within an overgrown plain with olive trees and vegetables.

The few hundreds of houses that form the town surround the central square, which is really the center of economic and social activities of the settlement. It is a nice square, with traditional stone buildings, traditional cafes and small taverns, the heart of everyday life of the locals. One of the best building is the «Pyliotiko Spiti» («the house of Pyli»); it is an old house with three rooms, where it is represented the kitchen, the living room and the bedroom of a traditional house of the past, with original furniture and objects, as its owners left them some more than 70 years ago. At a distance of less than 100 meters from the house there is a spring with cool water, flowing from 6 fountains. Just beside the spring, you will see the ancient vaults, which, according to tradition, are related to the local hero of the island.

Close to the settlement, beside the small church dedicated to the Holy Cross, stands the impressive Charmyleion, a complex of burials dated to the Hellenistic period and also related to the worship of the local hero and his descendants.

At a distance of 2 kilometers before arriving to town, you may see a small artificial lake, serv-ing for the watering of the cultivations of the plain.




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Some 3-4 kilometers southeastern to Pyli, you may visit the old town of Pyli («Palio Pyli»), a semi-ruined, abandoned settlement. It is here, at the mountain Dikaio that used to be the town of Pyli, with the Byzantine castle at the top of a hill, overlooking the whole area. The Castle was constructed during the Macedonian Dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, who dominated from the 9th to 11th cen-turies. When the island of Kos was conquered by the Knights of St John, the castle was restored and strengthened, in order to ensure the defense of the area. It is really worth seeing and if you walk up here, you will certainly be rewarded for the effort: the view is breathtaking; you will see Marmari, the islands of Pserimos and Kalymnos and far in the horizon you will discern the coasts of Western Turkey (the Bodrum peninsula).

In old Pyli you may also see the church of Ypapanti, built in the 14th century, with excellent wall paintings, a wonderful wood carved icon screen and columns taken from an ancient Greek temple that existed before, possibly dedicated to Demeter. You may also visit the tiny church of the Byzan-tine lord Michael and nearby, within a clump of fir-trees, you will find a spring which in the past served to watering the animals.

Finally, at Marmari, you may see the old salt pans of the island.

Several hotels of all categories with a wide range of facilities are available for accommodation in the settlement and in the area around.

Food is gorgeous in the taverns of the town and the broader area, where you may find local dishes and a variety of international tastes.

You will enjoy swimming, sunbathing and sea sports at the well organized long beach of Mar-mari.

If you are at Pyli during February or March, don’t miss to attend the Carnival in the town, where you will really have fun and amusement. The name day of Aghios Georgios (St. George) is celebrated in the village with a local feast («panighyri») and horse races. On the 23rd of June another local feast takes place in the town, in honor of Aghios Ioannis (St John), the feast known as «Klidonas». Finally, in late August a series of cultural activities are organized by the Municipality of Pyli, at-tended by a lot of visitors.

In case of health problems, a local Medical Center is available in the town. You will also find a Police Station.

Access from the town of Kos is possible by public bus, running frequently, by taxi or by rented and private car and motorbikes. If you have a yacht, the port of Marmari offers facilities of mooring; it may serve as your base for your excursions to the rest of the island and to the small islets around.

8.

Tigaki

The tourist resort of Tigaki is situated at a distance of 11 kilometers western to the town of Kos and 7 kilometers northern to the big village of Asfendiou. It counts some 250 permanent residents.




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Located within a small, overgrown valley, the place has been developed during the last decades along the homonymous long sandy beach of the northern coast of the island. Even in past times, the place used to be the holiday resort of the locals, mainly the residents of Asfendiou.

The environment is mild but quite impressive. You will see plants and green all around and many flowers which add up their colors to this exciting landscape.

A lot of alternatives for accommodation are available at the beach, within the settlement and in the broader area. All of them are open from April or May until October and offer to their guests good service and full facilities. Most of the lodgings are found in a nice environment (natural or artificial) peaceful enough, without excess noise and crowds. As a result of all these, Tigaki has become one of the most popular destinations of the island.

Food is good in the taverns of the area. Apart from fresh fish and sea food, you will find a wide range of Greek and international dishes. Several snack bars and fast foods are available for light meals and refreshments. At the center of the village you will find several stores of any kind; they are open until late in the evening. The place has intense nightlife and there are various clubs, bars and discos, where fun lasts until early morning.

You will enjoy swimming, sunbathing and sea sports at the huge sandy beach (10 kilometers long) with crystal clear sea, awarded more than once the blue flag, not only for being very clean, but also because of the excellent organisation and the facilities offered to swimmers. The sea is very shallow, ideal for families with small children. The fans of windsurfing will adore this place, as they will enjoy very much the big waves of the open sea. And, if you don’t know windsurfing, but you feel like trying, a training center is available at the beach.

If you are «bored» of everyday swimming and sunbathing, you may «explore» the area around. It is worth visiting the biotope of Alykes western to Tigaki. You may also drive to the nearby small traditional villages of Zipari, Asfendiou, Pyli and Palio («old») Pyli, where there are several things to see. All of them are found very close to Tigaki, at a distance of 2 up to 8 kilometers far away.

In case of health problems, you may address to the Health Services of the town of Kos (4 kilom-eters far away).

Access from the town of Kos is easy by public bus, with very frequent service, almost every hour, by taxi and by rented or private car and motorbikes. Don’t forget that bicycle is also a very conven-ient means of transport for the major part of the island of Kos. The airport of the island is found at a distance of 15 kilometers northeastern to Tigaki.

Click here to view hotels in Tigaki by Greekhotel.com - Greekislands.com


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Beaches

The beaches at the town of Kos

Lambi

The long sandy beach of Lambi is situated just off the town of Kos, at the western end of it. It is more than 1000 meters long and a very popular beach, attracting many tourists, thanks to the vicinity to the town and its facilities.

Very well organized at all the length, both in front of the hotels and at the free parts, the beach has enough natural green and shadow and offers any kind of facility. If you choose this beach for swimming, you will enjoy the nice sea and sea sports, along with the advantages of a well organ-ized beach.

Access to the beach is very easy by all means of transportation (buses, taxis, private and rented cars and motorbikes), but also by bicycle and on foot.

Click here to view hotels in Lambi by Greekhotel.com - Greekislands.com

Other beaches of the town of Kos

There are several smaller or bigger sandy beaches at the town of Kos. All of them are well organized and access is easy on foot or by bicycle. Their most important advantage is that, be-ing within the town, everything is very close: the lodgings, the taverns and restaurants, the market. Apart from Lambi, the most well known of them is Meropida and the nearby beaches, just off the town of Kos, on the way to Aghios Focas. All of them are easily accessible from the town center, even by bicycle or on foot.

Beaches close to the town

Psalidi

The beach of Psalidi is situated very close to the town of Kos, some 3,5 kilometers at the East, on the road leading to Aghios Focas and Thermes.

It is a beach with sand and pebbles, very well organized, with facilities for swimming, sunbathing (umbrellas, sun beds) and sea sports. A few traditional taverns offer cool refreshments and a snack, but you may also enjoy a full meal with fresh fish and a variety of local or international dishes. The big tourist complexes alternate with cultivated fields and green goes well along with the white color of buildings and the blue of the sea and sky.

For health problems, several health services are available at the nearby town of Kos.


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Access to the beach from the town of Kos is very easy: you may reach it by bus, with very frequent service, by taxi and of course by rented and private car and motorbikes. If you are fan of bicycle, you may reach the beach by bicycle too.

Click here to view hotels in Psalidi by Greekhotel.com - Greekislands.com


Aghios Focas

The nice beach of Aghios Focas is located in front of the homonymous tourist resort, some 8 kilometers far from the town of Kos at the Southeast and 2 kilometers far from the hot springs of Thermes.

A part of the beach has nice black sand and pebbles, whereas in the rest of it, also with sand and pebbles, the sand is white and sparkling. The beach is well organized: it offers swimming and sunbathing facilities (umbrellas, sun beds) and sea sports facilities. Moreover, if you wish to have a cool refreshment, a snack or even a full meal several traditional taverns or restaurants are avail-able.

The place is ideal for windsurfing and, if you are fan of this sport, you will have an unforget-table experience. One of the pros of the beach is the excellent view of the sea; if you are there in the afternoon, when the horizon slowly gets red as the sun disappears in the sea, you will enjoy a wonderful sunset and you will have the chance to take fascinating landscape photos.

Health services are available at the nearby town of Kos (10 kilometers far away at the North-west).

Access to the beach is very easy from the town of Kos by bus, running regularly, by taxi as well as by rented of private car and motorbikes. If you are fan of the bicycle, you may also reach the beach that way.


Thermes or Empros Thermes

The beach of Thermes is situated at a distance of 10 kilometers southern to the town of Kos and 2 kilometers western to the beach of Aghios Focas. It is a pebbly beach with characteristic dark volcanic pebbles and warm seawater, due to the hot mineral water springs nearby. It is just for this that the beach was named after («thermes» in Greek means «hot»). The temperature of the water of the springs is high enough (40-45ο C) and contains high quantities of ions of Calcium, Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium and Sulphur, Chlorine, which make them suitable for the cure of rheumatism, arthritis and gynaecological diseases. The springs were discovered by the Italian archaeologist Laurenzi in 1934.


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The environment is not exceptionally nice, but the hot springs and the shallow warm seawater with the bubbles rising up from the bottom, make the beach quite popular. Also, the big rocks sur-rounding the beach make it quite impressive and create nice scenery for photos.

The beach offers some facilities for swimming, sunbathing (umbrellas, sun beds) and cool refresh-ments.

Health services are available at the nearby town of Kos (10 kilometers far away at the North).

Access from the nearby town of Kos is easy by public bus, by taxi and by rented or private car and motorbikes.

Beaches at the Northern Coast (Center)

Tigaki

The huge sandy beach of Tigaki, extended at a length of 10 kilometers is situated at the ho-monymous well known tourist resort, some 11 kilometers western to the town of Kos and 7 kilometers northern to the big village of Asfendiou. The thick and white sand of the beach forms an interesting contrast with the small green valley behind the village. Before the tourists «discover» this excellent place, the beach used to be the tourist resort of the locals, mainly the residents of Asfendiou.

Several big and smaller hotels of all categories, studios and rooms to let are available at the beach and the village, as well as in the area around; all of them are open from April of May until October and offer good service and full facilities to their guests. Due to these advantages and to the nice environment, Tigaki has become one of the most popular destinations of the island.

Food and drink is nice too; there are several taverns offering fresh fish and sea food, along with good variety of Greek and international dishes. You will also find many snack bars and fast foods are available for light meals and refreshments. The place has an intense nightlife; bars clubs and discos promise to keep you awake overnight with loud music and fun.

Swimming is really nice at the long beach with the white sand and crystal clear blue water. The sea is very shallow, ideal for families with small children, beginners in swimming, or elderly people. The beach is fully organized and, apart from facilities for swimming and sunbathing, you will also find a wide range of sea sports. The fans of windsurfing will adore this place, as they will enjoy very much the big waves of the open sea. And, if you don’t know windsurfing, but you feel like trying, a training center is available at the beach. After all these, it is not a surprise that the beach is being awarded the blue flag more than once.

In case of health problems, you should address to the Health Services of the town of Kos (11 kil-ometers far away at the East).

Access from the town of Kos is easy by public bus, with very frequent service, almost every hour, by taxi and by rented or private car and motorbikes. You may also access the beach by bicycle, a very popular and convenient means of transport for the major part of Kos. The airport of the island is found at a distance of 15 kilometers northeastern to Tigaki.

Click here to view hotels in Tigaki by Greekhotel.com - Greekislands.com


http://www.greekhotel.com/dodecane/kos/tigaki/home.htm



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Marmari

Situated at the northern coast of the island, some 15 kilometers western to the town of Kos and 4 kilometers northern to the scenic inland village of Pyli, the beach of Marmari serves as its port.

It is a long, sandy beach, very popular; it attracts many visitors because it is a nice beach within a beautiful environment and it is found very close to the town of Kos. Also, it is very well organ-ized, offering several swimming, sunbathing and sea sport facilities. Several traditional taverns and cafes offer snacks and cool refreshments but also a full meal. Accommodation facilities are also available in the area.

Health services and a Police Station are available at Pyli. (some 4 kilometers to the South).

Access to the beach from the town of Kos is very easy by bus, with frequent service, by taxi and of course by rented and private car and motorbikes. If you have a yacht, you may reach the beach by sea; facilities of mooring are available in the small port.

Click here to view hotels in Marmari by Greekhotel.com - Greekislands.com


Mastihari

The beautiful sandy beach of Mastihari is situated some 22 kilometers western to the town of Kos. The settlement serves as the port of the inland traditional village of Antimahia, which is found some 3-4 kilometers far away to the South. The last few years the beach is being developing rapidly and it is a very popular destination for tourists.

When at Mastihari it is worth seeing the ruins of the old, Early Christian Basilica, in short distance from the sea, with a nice mosaic floor.

Several alternatives for accommodation are available in the settlement and in the area around. It is worth spending a few days in Mastichari. Apart from the nice environment, you will really relax and enjoy calmness and beauty.

The fish taverns at Mastihari are very popular not only for the fresh fish and sea food, but also for the delicious local dishes. Most of them are found at the sea front. As fishing is one of the oc-cupations of the residents, you may be sure that the fish that they will arrive at your table is really fresh; most of the times it has been caught the same morning.

The visitor will enjoy swimming, sunbathing and sea sports at the well organized beach of the small settlement. The beach has characteristic white, sparkling sand and the light blue sea is crystal clear; the whole environment gives an exotic impression. Many people pretend that Mastihari has


http://www.greekhotel.com/dodecane/kos/marmari/home.htm



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the best beach and sea all over the island. Although this might sound as an exaggeration, the sea is really nice. And, apart from the beach, you may enjoy the huge Watermark available here, one of the bigger in Greece. In case you prefer a more natural environment without umbrellas and sun beds, just walk along the beach and find your place a few meters far away; you will enjoy the sea without noise and crowds of people. According to the fans of windsurfing, the place is ideal for the sport, thus, you will see many windsurfers around and, if you like it, you may also try.

In the afternoon, when the umbrellas close, don’t miss to come to the beach to watch and take photos of the excellent sunset, one of the best you can see in Kos.

It will really be an unforgettable memory when you return back home.

A local feast («panighyri») takes place at the settlement on the 29th of August in honor of Aghios Ioannis (St. John); many people, both locals and tourists take part to it.

In case of health problems, you should visit the local Medical Center of Antimahia, some 3-4 kilometers far away at the South. At Antimahia you will also find a Police Station.

Access from the town of Kos is easy by public buses, running frequently (Kos- Antimahia-Mastihari and back to Kos), by taxi and by rented or private car and motorbikes. From Mastihari you may catch the boat to Kalymnos; the boats depart regularly every day. If you have a yacht, the small port is available for mooring.

Click here to view hotels in Mastihari by Greekhotel.com - Greekislands.com

Beaches at the Southern Coast (Center)

Kardamena

The beach of Kardamena, situated in front of the homonymous tourist resort, is found at a dis-tance of 29 kilometers southwestern to the town of Kos. It is a long beach, extended at both sides of the village, within a nice landscape overgrown and full of flowers.

Food is good in the area and you may choose among several fish taverns, traditional taverns and trendy restaurants.

You will certainly enjoy swimming, sunbathing and sea sports at this well organized beach with the golden sand and the crystal clear sea.

In case of health problems a local Medical Center and a pharmacy are available at the village.

Access from the town of Kos is easy by public bus, running regularly, as well as by rented or private car and motorbikes. There is a taxi station at the village, so you can go everywhere on the island by taxi too. If you have a yacht, you may berth at the marina of Kardamena, where you may also have any kind of supply necessary for your excursions.

Click here to view hotels in Kardamena by Greekhotel.com - Greekislands.com


http://www.greekhotel.com/dodecane/kos/mastichari/home.htm

http://www.greekhotel.com/dodecane/kos/kardamen/home.htm



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Beaches in Kefalos area

Kamari (Kefalos Bay)

The beach of Kamari, which serves as the port of the inland village of Kefalos, is situated 1-2 kilometers eastern to the village and some 38 kilometers far from the town of Kos at the Southwest. The locals also call it «Kefalos beach», after the name of the village. It is the most famous beach of Kos and one of the best.

Accommodation is available in the area, and the sea front taverns offer good food, mainly fresh fish.

It is a nice sandy beach, some 5 kilometers long, well organized and very popular; it is the most crowded of the beaches in the area. The sea is crystal-clear and very clean, with cool water, the coolest all over the island. There is a small port for small fishing and excursion boats.

Health services are available at the nearby village of Kefalos (1-2 kilometers western to the beach).

Access from the town of Kos is easy by public buses, running regularly, or by rented and private car or motorbikes. If you have a yacht, you may reach the beach by sea and moor at the small port.


Kamila (Kefalos)

The beach of Kamila is situated at the southwestern coast of the island, close to Kefalos (some 6 kilometers before arriving to the village) and 34 kilometers far from the town of Kos at the South-west.

It is a nice beach with cool and calm sea. Well organized, it offers swimming and sunbathing facilities (umbrellas, sun beds) and sea sport facilities.

You will find good food in the sea front taverns, where you may enjoy fresh fish.

For health problems, you may address to the local medical center of Kefalos (6 kilometers far away).

Access from the town of Kos is possible by bus, running regularly: from the bus stop on the public road, you will reach the beach on foot after a few minutes walking. Of course, access is easier by rented or rented car and motorbike.




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Paradise Beach (Kefalos)

The Paradise Beach is situated at the southwestern coast of the island, close enough to Kefalos (some 7 kilometers before arriving to the village) and at a distance of 33 kilometers far from the town of Kos at the Southwest.

It is a beach worth of its name, with fine sand, cool and calm sea, much calmer than the beaches of the northern coast. It is very well organized, offering swimming and sunbathing facilities (umbrel-las, sun beds), as well as sea sport facilities.

The sea front taverns offer good food, especially fresh fish, brought every day by the fishing boats of the area. Due to all these advantages, the beach is one of the most popular of the island, attracting many tourists.

Health services are available in the local Medical Center of Kefalos (7 kilometers far away).

Access from the town of Kos is possible by bus, running regularly (there is a bus stop at the beach), by rented or rented car and motorbike.


Magic Beach, Polemi, Exotic Beach

The Magic Beach is found at the southwestern coast of the island, close enough to Kefalos (some 8 kilometers before arriving to the village) and at a distance of 32 kilometers far from the town of Kos.

It is a nice beach with fine sand, with cool and calm sea, much calmer that the beaches of the northern coast. Well organized, it offers to the visitors several facilities for swimming, sunbathing and sea sports.

Food is nice and tasty in the sea front taverns, where fresh fish is «must».

Health services are available at the nearby village of Kefalos, 8 kilometers far from the beach.

Access from the town of Kos is easy by bus, running regularly: from the bus stop on the public road, you will reach the beach on foot. Of course, access is easier by rented or rented car and mo-torbike.




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Aghios Stefanos

The beach of Aghios Stefanos is found at a distance of some 40 kilometers southwestern to the town of Kos and 3, 5 kilometers northeastern to the well known and popular tourist resort of Kefa-los. The rocks by the sea, usually full of nice wild flowers, are the most characteristic feature of the beach. Close enough to the sea you will also notice the ruins of two early Christian churches, with nice mosaic pavements. Unfortunately, very often the mosaics are covered with sand brought by the wind. Another characteristic of the beach is the small islet of Kastri, a solitary wild rock in the sea, opposite the beach. All these features form a wonderful landscape and make the place ideal for taking nice photos.

The beach is very popular due to the golden sand and shallow waters, suitable for families with small children. In summer, especially in August, the beach is affected by the «meltemia» (northern summer winds).

Well organized, it offers several swimming and sunbathing facilities (umbrellas, sun beds) and cool refreshments from the beach bar.

Health services (a local Medical Center) are available in the nearby village of Kefalos, 3, 5 kilometers far away at the Southwest.

Access from the town of Kos is easy by by public bus and by rented or private car and motor-bikes.


Aghios Theologos

The beach of Aghios Theologos is found at a distance of some 47 kilometers far from the town of Kos at the Southwest, at the western precipitous coast of the island. It is perhaps the most remote beach of the island. However, it is not difficult at all to reach it and enjoy swimming and especially windsurfing, as it is only 7 kilometers far from the inland village of Kefalos at the Southwest. It is a beach ideal for visitors wishing to enjoy something different.

The coast here is rocky with small intervals of sandy parts in small, secluded creeks. The beach is ideal for windsurfing; the winds and waves are suitable for surfers, even beginners. The fans of the sport use to say that it is the most convenient place to learn windsurfing.

There are several small beaches in the area, where possibly only a tavern exists and where you may arrive following a difficult dirt track or a foot path. Of course, only few people reach these beaches and, if you feel like, you may enjoy naturism, without any trouble. You will certainly hear their names: Wave Beach, Sunset Beach, Cavo Paradiso Beach, Virgin beach, or something similar.




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Above the rocky coast you will see the small church of Aghios Ioannis Theologos, whose name day is celebrated on the 29th of August, with a local feast. If you are around in late August, don’t miss it.

Health services are available at the local Medical Center of the nearby village of Kefalos (7 kilometers northeastern to the beach), where you will also find a Police Station.

Access to the beach is possible by rented or private car and motorbikes, via the village of Ke-falos (40 kilometers far from the town of Kos). From the village you drive southwards for some 2 kilometers and then turn to the right towards the western coast; from there you follow the signs (to Aghios Ioannis Theologos) and arrive to the beach via a dirt track.


Limnionas (Kefalos)

Situated at the northwestern coast of the island, the beach of Limnionas is found some 43 kilom-eters far from the town of Kos at the Southwest). Very close to the inland village of Kefalos (some 5 kilometers at the North), it serves as its port at the northern coast of the island.

The beach is rather well organised and several swimming and sunbathing facilities are avail-able.

For health problems, a local Medical Center is available at Kefalos (5 kilometers southern to the beach), where you will also find a Police Station.

Access from the town of Kos is possible by rented or private car and motorbikes. There are two ways to reach the beach: either you arrive to Kefalos and then drive northwards for 5 kilometers. Or, you turn right some 3,5 kilometers before arriving to Kefalos and follow the road, drive for some 3,5 kilometers and then turn right again and drive for another 3 kilometers.

Other Beaches in Kefalos Bay and the area around

Langades (Banana) - Chrysi Akti (Golden Beach) – Xerokambos (Exotic Beach) – Sunny Beach or Psilos Gremos – Marcos Beach – Tropical Beach.

All these beaches are in fact parts of the long beach of Kefalos Bay. They are found among the other ones and owe their different name to a characteristic feature of the area or to a café or tavern. They are situated at a distance less than 40 kilometers far from the town of Kos at the Southwest.

All of them are easily accessible from the town of Kos, from Kamari, the port of Kefalos, from Aghios Stefanos, or from the bus stop at Paradise beach. The best way to arrive there is by rented or private car and motorbikes. Wandering in the area you will discover dirt tracks and foot paths that lead to secluded beaches, or to “private” parts of the long popular beaches. As these parts are not very easily accessible, you may enjoy naturism, provided that the beach has not much people.




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Several known or …unknown beaches

It is possible that you will hear or read in local tourist guides, or be informed by the locals or by previous visitors, various names of various beaches. In fact, there are not new beaches, but perhaps smaller or bigger parts of the long, well known beaches, which owe their special name to a tavern, a hotel or even a cantina. Don’t trust very much the information given by visitors who have come to Kos many years ago. Things change very rapidly in Kos and that comes true most of all for the beaches. Apart from the general information you will get, try to find out yourselves where to go, according to your special interests and desires. Asking the locals or people who keep returning to the island for holidays is always a good idea.

Beaches Naturist tolerant

Kos does not have beaches reserved exclusively to naturists. But, as it happens in many parts in Greece, when a beach is remote enough, or it is isolated and without people, then it is possible for you to enjoy naturism. But, watch out! Naturism is not allowed, but when there are few people, there is some tolerance. Moreover, always bear in mind that tolerance to naturism is something that might change from time to time. That is to say that a beach, or a part of a beach previously nudism tolerant, may change next year to a place where naturism is not allowed at all. Of course, if you are fan of naturism, you should choose the rocky beaches of the western coast of the island, which are not very popular and in general are not organized. Also, don’t hesitate to ask about these beaches. Anyway, everyone will tell you that naturism in general is not allowed, but …unofficially you may enjoy it in some beaches.

Islets close to Kos

Pserimos

Pserimos is a small island situated between Kos and Kalymnos, at short distance from both (some 6 nautical miles Northern to Kos) and close enough to the Turkish coast across.

Its extent is some 15 square kilometers and the few permanent residents, some 100 people, are occupied in fishing and tourism.

The island is a popular destination for tourists who arrive here from Kos or Kalymnos by the small excursion boats departing daily in summer. It is a good alternative for those wishing to avoid the crowded and organized beaches of Kos or Kalymnos.

The best thing worth seeing on the island is...the island itself! You will find nice beaches with excellent sand for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing; if you like walking, the island offers a nice landscape worth exploring by walking.

If you decide to change your daily excursion to a longer staying, some rooms to let are available for accommodation.

One of the pros of the island is its small cute taverns, offering fresh fish and seafood and gor-geous dishes of authentic local cooking.




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In case of health problems, you should address to the Health Services of the town of Kos or Ka-lymnos.

Access to the island is easy both from Kos and Kalymnos, by excursion boats, with very frequent service; there is also a small ferryboat. If you have your own yacht or boat, the small port of the islet offers some facilities for mooring.

Islets close to Kos

Gyali

At the middle of the way from Kos to Nisyros, some 4-5 nautical miles southern to the island of Kos, it is found the small islet of Gyali. In fact, the islet is only a volcanic rock thrown in the sea, where the locals, mainly the residents of Nisyros, mine for pumice-stone. The island has also deposits of obsidian and perlite. Traces of prehistoric human activity, from the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, have been detected on the island.

Access is possible only by boat which you will rent yourself, and after you have taken permission for the visit from the mining agency working there. Don’t forget to take water with you and possibly a sandwich, as it is not possible to find something to eat or drink on the islet. Also, don’t miss to be suitably dressed and of course don’t forget to have a hut and sunglasses, especially if you visit the island in summer, because the place is extremely dry and the sun very strong.

Sightseeing and MuseumsArchaeological Museum of Kos

The Archaeological Museum of Kos is housed in a nice two-storey building with three entrances topped by arches. Several sculptures from the excavations carried out by Italians after the strong earthquake of 1933 are displayed in three rooms surrounding the atrium, which is decorated with the excellent mosaic presenting the arrival of Aesculapius at Kos. Access to the atrium is possible via an anti-chamber. The first floor has been reserved for the pottery collection, but it is closed to public. Several of the mosaic pavements, which should be displayed in the museum are actually found at Rhodes, as Italians, in late 1930s’ had transported them there in order to decorate the famous Palace of the Great Master, which was then being restored.

The program of the Museum includes educational programs for students, aiming at familiarizing the kids with the archaeological material available and at stimulating them to study the history of their home island.

The most important collections of the museum are the following:

1. The collection of prehistoric pottery and metallic objects of everyday use, all of them found at the hill of Serayia, the site of Bronze Age Kos 20th -12th centuries b.C.), at the Neolithic site of the cave of Aspri Petra («white stone») and from other archaeological sites. The collection is closed to public.




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2. The great collection of pottery from Geometric up to Hellenistic periods (8th -1st centuries b.C.), also closed to public.

3. The collection of sculptures both of men and of women, mainly of the Hellenistic and Roman periods (4th century b.C., to 3rd century A.D.). Most of them come from the excavations in the town of Kos (the Roman Odeon), from Pyli (the sanctuary of Demeter) and from other sites on the island.

Apart from sculptures, the collection also comprises votive and tomb bas relief, altars and «trap-ezofora» (supports of tables). Most of them have been found in excavations within the town of Kos.

4. You may also see very nice mosaic pavements from houses of the Roman period.

The most important and interesting of the sculptures and other exhibits are:

a. «Hippocrates» The statue of a bearded man, wearing a garment has been dated in 4th cen-tury b.C. It was found during the excavations at the Odeon. An interesting detail is that it was the workers of the excavations who gave the statue its name.

b. Three statues, of two women and a bearded man, have been dated in 4th-3rd century b.C. It is thought that the women present the goddesses Demeter and her daughter Persephone (Kore) and the man is Pluto. According to the inscriptions on their base, the statues were votive offers of indi-viduals and of the priestesses of a small rural sanctuary.

c. A tomb bas relief of the 3rd century b.C. presents a young standing athlete wearing a garment and holding the victory crown he has been awarded. A few letters, «ΔΑΙΔ...», carved on his chest, may indicate his name. The statue had been found at the area of Roman Theater.

d. A few statues of women, dated in Hellenistic times (3rd to 2nd century b.C.), wearing the char-acteristic cloth of Kos.

e. A «trapezophoron» (support of a table) dated to the Hellenistic times (2nd century b.C.), is in fact a copy of an older original. Decorated with bas relief, it presents Marsyas, waiting do be pun-ished by Apollo.

f. A mosaic pavement found in the restored Roman house is dated in the Hellenistic period and presents sea life; another one presents the arrival of Aesculapius at Kos and Hippocrates who re-ceives him. This latter is dated in the 3rd century A.D.

g. The mosaic of Hermes (2nd century A.D.) comes from the house of the Mosaic of Europe. It presents the god Hermes sitting on a rock and wearing a garment and bearing the signs of his power.

h. A nice complex with Dionysus, Pan and a Satyr come from the same place. It presents the god Dionysus drank, supported by a Satyr; a small Pan plays the pipe. A small Eros and a panther are sitting at the feet of Dionysus.

i. Finally, there is the headless statue of Aesculapius, holding a stick with a snake around it (a typical symbol of the god), with Telesphoros, the god of recovery sitting at his feet. The statue is dated in the 2nd century A.D. and comes from the same house of the Mosaic of Europe.




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The Altar of Dionysus

Situated at small distance from the Agora and the port of the ancient city of Kos, the Altar of Dionysus is a good example of a Π-shaped altar of the Hellenistic period. The part preserved is dated in the 2nd century b.C., a period of flourishing for Kos, as it is evidenced by numerous archi-tectural remains. It is thought that the altar was sponsored by the king of Pergamos, an ally city of Kos. The monument was destroyed during the strong earthquake of 142 b.C. After the earthquake the residents of the area started gradually to restore it.

Later on, during the Byzantine period, the altar had been abandoned and when the Knights of the Order of St. John conquered the island, they used some architectural parts for the construction of the castle.

The frieze of the altar is dated back to the end of the 2nd century b.C. and now it is housed in the castle. It presents scenes from the Amazon war and a troupe of Dionysus, with maenads and satyrs.

Only a rectangular groundwork is well preserved today, along with the uphill entrance and a vertical stone wall.

At the same area there has been found an older temple in Doric style, possibly this too of Diony-sus, and two rectangular constructions, possibly bases for statues. Excavations were carried out by Italian scholars, during 1930’s, but due to the following war nothing was published. Only recently the Greek professor N. Stambolidis has studied the sculptures of the altar.

The Odeon of Kos

The Odeon of Kos covers the space southern to the ancient ruins, western to the restored Roman House (Casa Romana) and it is situated close to the ancient theater, at the northwest. According to the inscriptions found on the site, the actually preserved building was constructed on the place of an older public building, probably the Bouleuterion of the ancient demos.

It has a North-South orientation, with the «koilon» ( cavea – the place for the seats) found at the South and the orchestra and scene at the North. The «koilon» is supported by arched construc-tions resting on pillars; there are also two semi-circular galleries and several small rooms, possibly workshops.

The building is dated to the 1st-2nd centuries A.D.; it had been built on purpose to host music competitions. The same building was also the seat of the Gerousia (Senate), a local authority without considerable power; its main duty was to pay honors to important personalities of ancient Kos.

The cavea («koilon») had fourteen rows of seats made of marble; only nine of them have been restored. A passage divided the theater in an upper and a lower diazoma; four stairways divided the lower part in cunei. The stage was of pentagonal shape with a proscenium and wings. The or-chestra was circular, decorated with marble. Two entrances, decorated with nice mosaic floors, were found at the ends of the stage. Several statues, situated in niches, decorated the arcades. Some of them were brought to light during the excavations of Italian archaeologists, carried out in 1929. The theater was restored in 1934, also by Italians.




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The «Asklepieion»

Asklepieion is the most well known ancient monument of the island. It is situated at a distance of 3, 5 kilometers southwestern to the town of Kos, in the area of Panaghia of Tarsos or Alsos. The monument was built on a hillside overlooking the area, with an excellent view of the sea below and of the opposite coasts of Asia Minor.

According to archaeological evidence, the place was in use as early as in the Mycenaean times; local tradition cites that the area was a ritual place of Apollo Kyparissos, the father of Aescula-pius. When there was established the city of Kos, in the 4th century b.C., the small wood of cypress tree was considered as a sacred place, dedicated to Aesculapius. The small Ionian temple and the altar come from this period.

Later on, in the 2nd century b.C., when the Medical school established by Hippocrates had become very famous, a lot of people came to visit the place. It is then that the place was declared immune and started the «Megala Asklepieia», athletic and music games taking place every five years. As people came here in mass, the buildings were extended: it is then that was established the big temple, while the altar was reconstructed, following the design of the famous altar of Zeus in Pergamos.

In the 1st century A.D., during the Roman period, there was built the public lavatory (Wespasiana) and the small temple of Xenophon. Later on, in the 2nd century, during the period of Antonines’ dynasty, it was established the Corinthian temple dedicated to Apollo and a century later the Ther-mae (Baths).

The church of Panaghia of Tarsos was built during the Byzantine times on the foundations of an ancient temple. Only the capital of a column of Early Christian period, which served as the altar, has been preserved from this Early Christian church. The Knights of St. John had used several parts of the temple in the construction of the medieval castle.

Surveys for the discovery of the ancient sanctuary have started as early as in the period of Otto-man domination of the island. The sanctuary was brought to light only in early 20th century by the German archaeologist Hertzog, after the instructions of the doctor and amateur historian Zarraftis. According to this latter, the temple should be close to the springs of Vourrina and Kokkinonero, as water was indispensable for the function and the rituals of the sanctuary. Additionally, he had no-ticed several architectural parts, semi-buried in earth.

Excavations went on during the period of Italian domination of the island. Apart from excava-tions, the Italians have also partly restored the sanctuary and given the place its actual form.

The site is extended on three levels-terraces, with the following monuments: at the first level, there was a Π-shaped arcade, with several small rooms for the faithful people visiting the temple. Both the arcade and the rooms go back to the Hellenistic period (3rd century b.C. At the eastern part of the arcade there was the complex of the Roman Thermae (Baths), built during the 3rd century A.D. Three of the rooms of the baths had arches at the narrow sides and they were decorated with frescos on the walls and had mosaic pavements, partly preserved and visible today.

The second terrace is supported by a supporting wall and it is decorated with niches for statues, with fountains of marble and big water cisterns. Western to the staircase leading to the second ter-race, at a niche with a temple-like façade, you will see the base of a statue where it is inscribed the name of the Koan Gaius Sertinius Xenophon, the doctor of the Roman emperors Tiberius, Claudius and Nero. It is in this area that you will find the older building of the sanctuary, the altar of Aes-culapius, dated in the mid 4th century b.C. The rich decoration of the altar, attributed to the sons of the famous ancient sculptor Praxiteles, is only partly preserved today.




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Only the base of Aesculapius’ statue stands today, along with some parts of the Ionian style tem-ple and a pit known as «thesaurus» (the treasury of the temple), as inscriptions indicate.

There was also a Corinthian peripteral temple, dated in the Roman period (2nd century A.D.), dedicated to Apollo.

At the third terrace there was a big Doric peripteral temple of Aesculapius, dated in the 2nd century b.C., along with a Π-shaped arcade with rooms for the visitors and patients.

Western to the arcade are found the public lavatories (Wespasiana), dated in the 1st century A.D.

Western to the altar there was also a two-part building with a Doric antechamber with four col-umns, which, according to archaeologists, perhaps served to house the priests of the god.

Finally, there was an arcade housing the votive offerings, a semi-circular podium for the place-ment of the statues and a fountain made of marble.

The Early Christian Basilicas of Aghios Stefanos

The early Christian Basilicas at the beach of Aghios Stefanos, within Kefalos bay, at a distance of 40 kilometers southwestern to the town of Kos, are dated in the 5th or 6th century, with more recent additions. They are two of them, the southern and the northern ones.

The southern one is a three-aisled basilica with two rows of columns, a semi-circular arch at the East and a rectangular narthex at the West. The middle aisle was bared by a low wall of marble, the mainstay of which the only part preserved up to now. The narthex has two entrances to the atrium at the west and at a lower level. A large staircase leads to the atrium and serves as access to it.

Some buildings are also preserved at the southern side of the church; one of them is arched and, according to the suggestions of scholars, it was used as a sacristy. The floors of the church are all covered with excellent mosaics, while at the parts of the walls preserved have sculpted decoration.

The Northern Basilica is also three-aisled, but of smaller size. The most characteristic feature is that the three aisles are formed from columns and pillars alternating each other. Here too, we find the semi-circular arch at the East, where a part of the throne, made up of marble is still preserved. The mainstay of the wall baring the presbytery is visible here too. The rectangular narthex of the western part is also present. Out of the church, at the East, a rectangular building (whose only the floor plan is possible to reconstruct) with the relics of a rectangular font, seems to have served as a baptistery for both churches. The atrium of this basilica is thought to have been constructed later, possibly in the 6th-7th centuries A.D.

The site was excavated by the Italian archaeologist L. Laurenzi in 1932. After more than 50 years, in early 1990’s, supporting and restoration works were carried out by the Archaeological Service. Also, conservation and restoration of the mosaic pavements are carried out regularly. Small scale cultural activities (theatrical plays, concerts etc) take place at the site in summer.

The Neratzia Castle, or Castle of Kos

At the entrance of the port of Kos it is situated the so-called «Kastro tis Neratzias» (Neratzia Castle). The place in ancient times was a small islet, connected with the island of Kos by a bridge, the one seen today at Phoinikon Street.




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In the 14th century A.D., in the period of sultan Bayazit I, when the raids of the Ottomans on the island had already been dangerous enough, the Knights of the Order of St. John who dominated the island, decided to construct the castle in order to assure the effective defense of the town and the island. Thus, according to travelers’ description, the first precinct had been built in late 14th century. Later on, in late 15th – early 16th centuries, a second precinct was added to surround the first one, with a wide and deep moat between the two. Contact of the two constructions was possible through a drawbridge. The inner precinct has four defensive towers; the southeastern of them had been in-corporated to the outer wall, which has huge bastions at the corners, battlements and gun ports.

The material used in the construction is local stone and several architectural parts of ancient buildings. A big frieze of the Hellenistic period has been inlaid at the central gate, while the basalt columns placed obliquely on the ceiling of the gates possibly come from the Early Christian basilica at the port. You may also see several medieval blazons of the knights who dominated the island.

After crossing the drawbridge, at the left, you will see the older building preserved in the castle. It is a circular tower bearing the blazons of the Grand Masters of the 15th century. The old knights’ building of the northern part, possibly a warehouse, restored during the period of the Italian domi-nation of Kos (1912-1947), is actually used as the Architectural Museum of Kos. Access to the mu-seum is free; the museum hosts a temporary exhibition of various sculptures, altars, inscriptions and architectural parts found in the area.

Church of Aghios Ioannis Prodromos (St. John the Baptist)

The holy church of Aghios Ioannis Prodromos, often called “Epta Vimata” (the “seven steps/conchs”) is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and situated at the South of the town of Kos, within the cemetery of the town. The view of the old church among the tall, green cypress trees is very nice and good for taking photos.

The outer view of the church presents a square shape, but observing the ground plan one notices that it is rather round, with four semicircular corner conchs and one in the middle of the eastern side (where it is found the altar of the church), inscribed in a quadrangle. Two additional conchs, one at each side, of rectangular shape, are found at the middle of the northern and of the southern sides, forming a total of seven conchs, a feature to which the church owes its name. Originally, a concen-tric colonnade of eight columns of Ionian style, without flutings, ended up to arches that served to support the dome of the church. Today only three of them are preserved; the ones missing have been replaced by a wall. The entrance of the church is in the middle of the western side. One of the most interesting archaeological features is the masonry of the church, as much of the material used comes from ancient buildings: we can see a Hellenistic frieze with garlands with oxen’s heads, architraves, bases, pilaster- capitals and other architectural parts of the ancient temple, as well as mullions of the Early Christian period.

When built, in the 5th – 6th century, the church was a baptistery belonging to a basilica of the Early Christian period. The basilica had been partly excavated by Italian archaeologists, during the Italian domination of the island, but no trace of it has been preserved today. Recent restoration works in the interior of the monument have revealed interesting frescoes dated in the 12th or 13th century, presenting scenes of the life of St. John the Baptist, along with more recent ones dated in the 16th century.




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Hippocrates’ plane tree

Just in front of the main gate of the Knights’ Castle, there is an imposing huge plane tree. This perennial tree, «the plane tree of Hippocrates» as the locals call it, is of a perimeter of more than 10 meters. As expected, it has been linked to several legends and stories, where reality is blended with fantasy and myth. As the tree is of an age higher than 1000 years, it is possible that, as locals say, it is here that Apostle Paul had preached Christianity, in the mid 1st century A.D.

The building of the Synagogue and the Jewish Community of Kos

According to the writer Josephus, a flourishing Jewish community existed in Kos, since the period of the Second Temple. Relative evidence is also found in the book of Maccabees (142 b.C.). When the Knights of St. John conquered Kos, they dispersed the Jewish community and kicked them out, but the Jews came back to the island a few centuries later, in 1522 when Kos was conquered by the Ot-tomans. The Jewish community flourished in Kos and the Jews of Kos were occupied with the trade of cloths and exports of grapes and raisin. In 1747 they constructed a beautiful synagogue which collapsed during the strong earthquake of 1933. After the earthquake, the synagogue was soon re-built, as a great number of the Jews came to the island as refugees from Asia Minor. Today no Jews exist in Kos; most of them were captured by the Nazis, sent to Germany and died in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Only the building of the synagogue and the old Jewish cemetery with its few tombs, dated from the 17th century, exist to remind their presence on the island. Today the building of the Synagogue houses the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Kos.

Why to Kos?To stroll in the environment of the Knights’ Castle and feel the medieval atmosphere.

To enjoy the tastes and smells of Asia Minor at Platani (Kermentes)

To wander around in the old town and shop folk art handicrafts.

To visit the famous Asklepieion, built by the ancient Greeks in honor of the god of Medicine.

To taste the «domataki», a jam-like sweet made of small tomatoes, in the traditional cafes and experience new ways in taste.

To cycle under the palm trees at the arch, as you have seen in the films of 60s’.

To visit the historic center of the town and the Municipal Market, where you will find all the deli-cacies of the island.

To go to the mineral springs, to the biotope of the salt pans at Tigaki and walk on the nice dock.

To have a coffee at Tzia, where you will enjoy a breathtaking view.

To visit the nearby islands of Kalymnos, Nisyros and Pserimos, in a daily excursion, and, if you feel like, pass across to ancient Alikarnassos (Bodrum), that is only 4 miles far away.


Kos - Greek Island

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