Kos is a long island in the southeastern Aegean, one of a more or less continuing chain stretching from Rhodes in the south to Lesvos in the north. As such it has easy communications with other islands. The island was first settled in the 4th century BC, and rapidly grew into a major trading centre.
From the island’s airport, isolated in grasslands at the eastern end of the island, it’s a 15-mile tour coach or taxi ride to Kos town. The road winds between sandstone gullies and odd farms, where a few cattle nibble the dry grass. To the right rises the 2,250-foot peak of Christ the Just, after which the road delves into the narrow streets of the town before ending up on the wide and airy waterfront.
Kos town contains an old plane tree that’s associated with an ancestor tree under which Hippocrates is said to have sat lecturing his medical students. The local hospital is named after him, of course. Kos, in fact, is a healing island. Forget guzzling the lager until you’re blind. The palm tree-lined seafront of Kos town has plenty of smart tavernas fronting the shingle beaches, and enough to feast the eyes on without spending all your valuable time propped up on a bar.
In September 2008 the whole town became one great wi-fi spot, so you can bring your laptop and check your e-mails literally anywhere. You can even e-mail your doctor from Hippocrates’ birthplace!
Dominating the harbour of Kos town is the Neratzia Castle, or Castle of the Knights, a late 14th century Crusader fort that juts into the sea, separating the harbour into two ports. The castle is connected to the mainland by a bridge that crosses Palm Tree Avenue, the main promenade.
A lot of the architecture of Kos is Italian colonial style, especially the Country Hall. The Italian occupation of the Dodecanese islands, which ended in 1947, brought benefit in the archaeologists who got busy digging up the island’s rich past. Most of the finds thus unearthed are now in the Archaeological Museum at Eleftherias Square. Naturally, many of them have some Hippocratic theme or other, including mosaics and statues of him.
Not far from the waterfront is the outdoor archaeological site, the Agora, that’s worth a stroll through. Some of it is reminiscent of the Roman Forum, with banks of old brickwork and trees rising above the ruins. Also to be seen is the Roman-era villa called the Casa Romana with its exquisite floor mosaics.
The biggest archaeological attraction of Kos is the Asklipieion Temple, about two and a half miles southeast of the town, offering a spectacular view of the sea and Turkish coast. Built about a couple of hundred years before Christ, the temple took its name from Asklepios, the ancient Greek healing deity. It served as a medical school as well as a sanctuary, and has been partly restored to give an impression of its original size.
Tradition has it that this is where Hippocrates worked out his famous oath, taken by all Western doctors today as a concise code of medical ethics. If you’re into that sort of thing, you can hear it declaimed in ancient Greek, under those same columns, every August during a music festival called – you guessed it – the Hippocrateia.
The place became famous in the 3rd century BC as a sanctuary, where one could escape war and violence. Ancient historians tell us that when a patient went there to be cured of some malady, the god Asklepios appeared to the patient in a dream to suggest the course of treatment. Then the professional doctors would get to work. It has been suggested that the patients’ subconscious processes aided in the healing of what were essentially psychosomatic ailments.
Not far from the Asklepieion is Psalidi, a nature wetland where, besides swimming on sandy beaches, you can see rare birds and plants. Go along the road past Psalidi and come to Therma, named after the hot springs of the area. If you need a healing of any sort, here’s where to go, to let the sulphuric vapours go their therapeutic work.
Villages
Tingaki and Marmari are the first seaside villages you meet when leaving the town of Kos, with several beaches of crystal blue waters and warm, white sand. The main road west goes through Zipari, an unremarkable suburb, to Asfendiou, a complex of picturesque villages up on the mountainside. Zia is place that offers a great sunset view, like all Greek sunsets, a feast of colour.
Kardamena is on the southern shore about 22 miles from Kos town but just three miles from the airport. There are many interesting archaeological treasures to be seen, such as the Temple of Apollo and the early Christian basilicas. But man can’t live on culture alone, so it’s pleasing to know that each summer Kardamena is the site of a “whitebait festival” (a kind of small, tasty fish) in which you can have all the fish you can eat and the wine you can hold.
Antimachia is an inland village just outside the airport, famous for its honey. The community is dominated by bee-keeping and honey-making businesses, and, to stimulate the local mini-economy, holds an annual honey festival. You might even get into the habit of putting honey in your tea. It’s healthier than sugar.
Mastihari, on the northern shore within sight of the famous sponge-divers’ island of Kalymnos, is the place where Kos’ best beaches can be found. And when you get hungry, the village fishermen have plenty of their catch on hand for a low-fat lunch. The local wine is also good, and for a bit of variety you can take a boat to nearby Kalymnos.
On the western tip of Kos, 30 miles from the town, are the villages of Kefalos and Aghios Nikolaos. Hereabouts is a monastery associated with the name of Saint John the Theologian, the writer of the Book of Revelation who lived on nearby Patmos.
Gourniatis, Troulos, Akro Chelonas, Kritika 2/Mylos, Pefkokefali/Agios Fokas, Tigaki and Marmari.
Kardamena BeachThe beach of Kardamena, situated in front of the homonymous tourist resort, is found at a distance 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.
Kardamena is a village located 30 kilometres from Kos town and 5 kilometres from «Hippocrates» International Airport. There are many interesting archaeological treasures to be seen, such as the Temple of Apollo, the early Christian Basilicas and the Ancient Theatre.
And since you’ll be needing some rest after sightseeing, Kardamena also offers beautiful sandy beaches with a variety of water sports and daily boat services to Nisyros, the neighbouring volcano island that you ought to visit. At summer time, at Kardamena’s White Bait Festival, join locals at a tradition that promises a lot of dancing and incredible fun!
Tingaki BeachTingaki is well renowned for it’s long sandy beach and shallow waters along the front. The resort is only 12 km from Kos Town and has a regular Bus Service. It is an excellent beach for kids, with tavernas and snack bars just nearby. Just 12 km from Kos Town, this small friendly resort boasts a beautiful sandy beach with clear, shallow waters, watersports. The one main street here has many tavernas and restaurants to choose from offering traditional as well as international cuisine.Marmari
On the northern coast of Kos, Marmari has a delightful sandy beach with wonderful views to the islands of Kalymnos and Pserimos and there are plenty of watersports for the more active. Marmari – Kos is situated at the end of the plain, 5 km from Pyli and its still virgin territory in tourist development. Marmari has one beach only, which happens to be beautiful and endless, with hotel complexes, country tavernas and cafeterias. Marmari is the perfect spot for a quiet vacation without hordes of people.
Marmari beaches have crystal blue waters and white sand. Relaxation comes as standard, the area is quiet and unspoiled even thought there are quite a number of restaurants and bars to choose where to have dinner or a drink.(Text by http://www.dodekanissaweb.gr)
Greek highlights 