Kos

Kos (Κως)

Kos is the third largest island of the Dodecanese has much to off the traveller. Its reputation as an island filled with package holidaymakers isn’t unfounded, but there is still plenty there to lure those looking for history, culture and architecture. It will take some effort to get away from the back-to-back hotels and rowdy tourists, but it isn’t impossible, and the wonderful, green scenery, great beaches and tourist friendly nature of the island makes it a stress free place to go.

Historically, Kos is best known as the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. Until 500AD, the island was a place visited by people looking for cures. The island was invaded by the Knights of St John around the end of the first millennium, then by the Turks. The Italians took over in 1912 and finally it was handed back to Greece in 1947.

With its involved history, Kos Town is a mix of tourist shops, bars, open-air discos and archaeological wonders. The old town was destroyed in an earthquake in 1933; its replacement is a town planning marvel, the town a lush and green with well-set streets. As a tourist haven, it’s wise to roam back from the waterfront to find the more authentic restaurants. There is a notable Turkish influence on the island, and good Turkish restaurants are in abundance.

Dominating the towns port and skyline is the Castle of the Knight’s which appears to guard the city against invaders. Castle ruins are well preserved well worth a visit. Around the main town there are many other archaeological sites, museums and points of interest to keep the curious happy for days.

On the hill behind the down are the ruins of Asclepion, the island’s most important site. This is where Hippocrates set up his medical school and healing centre. The ruins are on a number of levels, the lower once occupied with Roman public baths, the middle levels have an altar dedicated to Apollo and the highest level displays the Temple of Asclepius. The site is extensive and gives great views of the town and the Turkish coast.

Around the rest of the island are many great beaches, the further you stray from Kos Town the less touristy the island becomes. Mastihari on the island’s west coast is testament to this and secluded beaches are in easy reach. From here, one can catch tourist boats to Pserimos, a small off the coast, popular with day-trippers.

At the southern most tip of the island are the towns of Kamari and Kefalos, both are great places to get away from the crowds. At nearby Agios Stefanos there is a small church on an island swimming distance from the shore. The south of Kos has many small delights such as these. The mountains at the centre of the island also have great trekking potential and wonderful views of Aegean sunsets.