Kos Travel Information


Sun, sand and sea are the major attractions in the beautiful Greek island of Kos. In addition, the island of Hippocrates offers many kinds of activities for the whole family from watersports like windsurfing or snorkeling to archaeological sites and lively nightlife. Island-hopping from Kos to other Greek islands and Turkey are also popular among visitors in the sunny Kos.

Beaches, water sports, archaeological sites and entertainment in Kos

Kos belongs to the Dodecanese group of islands in Greece and is located in the Eastern part of the Aegean sea near Turkey. Kos is home to beautiful and wide golden sand beaches. There are both shallow, sandy beaches for families with children as well as beaches favoured amond windsurfers, such as Agios Fokas. The most beautiful beaches on Kos can be found in the small villages of Kefalos and Mastichari, but excellent beaches can be found also in Marmari, Tigaki and Kardamena. The blue waters of the Aegean Sea are great for watersports such as surfing in Kos. The diverse underwater world around this Mediterranean island with caves, tunnels, corals and many species of fish can be explored by diving in Kos.
Kos town is the administrative, cultural and tourism capital of the island. The town is characterised by whitewashed houses and it is here the majority of the shops, hotels bars and restaurants in Kos are located. The bars and tavernas as well as discos offer lively nightlife in Kos. The Kos town is also the centre for shopping in Kos as it is dotted with small shops. There is a beautiful 14th century fortress and harbour in the small city. The birthplace of Hippocrates, Kos houses the tree of Hippocrates where the physician used to sit and study. Visit also the Hippocratic Museum dedicated to the accomplishments of this great physician.
The most remarkable ancient archaeological site in Kos, Asklepeio, is not far from Kos town. In addition, there are museums, old churches, monasteries and ancient monuments scattered throughout the island.


Kos
Photo: stewe.wilde, used under Creative Commons License (By ND 2.0)


In the picturesque Greek villages of Kefalos, Tingaki, Kardamnea, Marmari and Pyli you can sense the traditional way of life in Kos. You can also make a day trip from Kos to other nearby islands or to Turkey.

Practical information for your stay in the sunny Kos

Kos enjoys pleasant Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild, wet winters. The best time to visit Kos is in spring and early summer when the nature of the island comes into full bloom and the temperatures are not too hot. Kos island has a well developed tourism infrastructure and there is a good selection of hotels in Kos. English is widely understood and spoken by those locals working in tourism industry.
There are direct charter flights to Kos from many European capitals during the summer, and domestic flights from Athens and Rhodes. You can also travel to Kos by ferries from many Greek Islands. Car rental in Kos is easy and a good option if you want to get around the beautiful island on your own. Buses and taxis are also easy to find in Kos. Kos is a safe destination suitable for families with small children.


hint See also these nearby destinations: Bodrum, Marmaris, Rhodes, Samos, Fethiye



Facts of Kos

Popularity
Price level
Safety
Happiness
Suitable for family
temperatures / when to go Best months to go
May, June, July, August, September, October
World heritages World heritages:    0
time zone Time zone:  GMT +2
population Population:  31.000
capital / biggest city Biggest city:
Kos Town
language / languages Language(s)
Greek 99%
literacy Literacy level:   96 %

religion / religions Religions:
Greek Orthodox 98%