Kos

Kos (Κως) is a long, fertile island in the Dodecanese, lying just off the Bodrum peninsula in Turkey. By tradition it is the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. Greeks, Romans, Knights and Ottomans all left their traces. Today Kos mixes history with a lively beach holiday.

Kos Town gathers much of this heritage. Neratzia Castle of the Knights guards the harbour, and the Plane Tree of Hippocrates stands nearby. The Ancient Agora, the Roman Odeon and the Casa Romana lie among the streets. Above the town the Asklepieion, a healing sanctuary, climbs the hillside in terraces. Inland the Dikeos range rises over Pyli and Zia, a village known for its sunsets. Tigaki and Marmari are sandy beaches in the north. Paradise Beach and Agios Stefanos lie near Kefalos, whose bay suits windsurfing. At Therma hot springs flow into the sea. Show more

The flat north is ideal for cycling, and Kos Town has many bike paths. A local specialty is krasotyri, a cheese matured in red wine. Kos has an international airport and ferry links to Piraeus and nearby islands. Boats make day trips to the volcano of Nisyros and to Bodrum.