What grows on the island of Kos. Kos is a colorful Greek island in the Aegean Sea

One evening, our Greek friend Nikos, the owner of sailing yacht"Eolos", and asked for help to overtake her to the island of Kos.

Every year he rents a yacht to a charter company for the entire summer season. We gladly agreed. Who will refuse a pleasant sailing trip, and even to the island, where we have long dreamed of visiting?

The departure of the Eolos was scheduled for the next morning, and there was very little time left for preparations. While we were getting ready, we began to remember what we know about the island.

General information about the island

Kos is part of a group of twelve, the so-called Dodecanese Islands. Dodecanese means twelve islands in Greek. Kos got its name from the Carian word "kion", which means sheep, as long-haired sheep have been bred on the island for a long time. However, there is another mythological version of its name.

Once Kos was called Merops, and its inhabitants - Meropites, after the name of the king who ruled the island. This name, translated from ancient Greek, means mortal. King Merops loved his wife Ehemea very much, and when she died, he decided to commit suicide. But the goddess Hera did not allow this to be done, turning Merops into an eagle. She made him rise high into the sky to Olympus itself, and asked the almighty Zeus to grant immortality to the king. Zeus placed Merops forever in the night sky in the form of the constellation Aquila. And the island was renamed in honor of the beloved daughter of Merops and Ehemea - Ko.

Kos is the third largest in the Dodecanese archipelago, and the second largest in terms of population.

Greeks love to spend their holidays on this amazing island famous for its resort places and rich history. Today's Kos is a modern tourist center.

Here you can relax, heal, have fun, go surfing or diving, or just enjoy the sun and the sea on the beaches of the island, each of which is unique in its own way.

Nature lovers have nicknamed the island the Garden of the Gods for its protected forests, where you can walk among the many trees and watch the sunset.

History lovers call it the island of Hippocrates, in honor of the ancient Greek physician, a native of Kos.

Fans of the animal world are waiting for a meeting with pink flamingos and tame peacocks, carriage-carriage turtles and sea seals that live on the island.

In short, the trip promised us many pleasant moments.

The beginning of the sea voyage and arrival on the island

In the morning our yacht left the marina. The weather was beautiful, a light breeze was blowing, the bright sun was shining, and our mood was upbeat. But towards the end of the boat trip, we got into a strong storm. The mainsail was torn by gusts of strong wind. With a damaged sail, we moored in the yacht marina of the city of Kos.

The mood was no longer as cloudless as at the beginning of the journey. It was impossible to rent a yacht to a charter company. Nikos announced that the repair of the sail would take several days, and urgent business awaited him in Athens. What to do? We volunteered to stay on the island and hand over the repaired ship to the company.

Attractions of the island of Kos

In the early morning, while the sun was not yet burning, but only gently caressing with its rays, we, having bought a map, began to decide where to start our journey. Kos is an island with a long history, traces of which can be found here at every turn.

And, despite the fact that the historical fate of Kos largely repeats the fate of other Dodecanese Islands, the special specificity of the history of the island is associated with the name of Hippocrates and the ancient sanctuary of Asklepion.

Therefore, our journey through the sights of the island of Kos began with him.

Sanctuary of Asklepion

So, in the southwest of the city of Kos, on the slope of a hill immersed in the greenery of cypresses, with a beautiful view of the sea, one of the most famous sanctuaries of the island is located - temple complex Asklepion.

In ancient times, it was a place of worship for the god Asclepius, the patron saint of medicine, whose cult was brought to the island by the Dorians. The ancient Greeks greatly revered the god Asclepius. Throughout Greece, special temples were built in honor of the god - asklepions, and his priests were called asklepiads and were engaged in healing. The temples were located in sacred cypress groves, most often in the mountains. A prerequisite was the presence of rivers or mineral springs near the temple.

Not only the temples, but the very surroundings around them were considered sacred. Access to them was allowed only after special preparations. First of all, the sick fasted for several days, and then they were fumigated and bathed in sacred springs. After that, they were allowed inside the temple itself, where a ritual of sacrifice was performed in honor of the god Asclepius. The sick were left in the temple to spend the night on the skin of a sacrificial animal, and then they told the priests their dreams. Those, in turn, interpreted them and prescribed treatment.

The methods by which the patients were treated were very unusual. Patients were instructed to take orally or externally the blood of a sacrificial animal, or bloodletting was prescribed. Many were recommended a special diet and even going to the theatre, listening to sacred chants, riding or hunting. The priests compiled tables describing the course of the disease and methods of its treatment.

Thus, priceless knowledge was accumulated in the asclepions over the centuries, passed on by the priests to the students, and only members of their families, whose roots went back to Asclepius himself, could be students.

Entire medical schools sprang up. A student and then a minister of one of them was the world-famous Hippocrates, who later founded his own school.

Just think - it was the 5th century BC. e. Hippocrates outlined his views on the symptoms of diseases and methods of their treatment in his medical collection, which consisted of 59 essays. Where various sections of medical science were presented, such as anatomy, physiology, pediatrics, dietetics, surgery, gynecology, and medical ethics, and Hippocratic methods became the source of modern scientific medicine. He also invented the famous oath, which is given by doctors all over the world.

During archaeological excavations in 1902 on the island of Kos, the remains of an ancient sanctuary were discovered.

Temple buildings are located on three levels. Such architectural style, was characteristic of the buildings of the countries of the East and was borrowed during the time of Alexander the Great.

Unfortunately, only small fragments of buildings have survived to this day. Much was plundered in different historical epochs.

Having examined the monument and admiring the beautiful view, we rush further.

Antimachia

Heading to Kefalos, we could not help but stop by the place Antimachia, which is located almost in the middle of the island. Antimachia is a traditional Greek village. Its hospitable inhabitants are engaged in agriculture.

This quiet, cozy place is interesting because here you can get an idea of the life of a Greek peasant.

In a real Greek house, there is an exposition "Antimahiko Spiti", which contains items of Greek life. The house is decorated with handicrafts. And opposite the exposition is a pretty windmill.

The day was hot. I wanted to swim, eat fish, and we decided to turn to Mastichari, where there are many fish taverns and a beautiful beach.

In the tavern, having chatted with the owner over lunch, we learned that colorful honey festivals are held here at the end of August.

And in early September, a lot of guests gather for a festival of wine and winemakers with a tasting of local wines, traditional folk festivals are held, accompanied by music and dancing until the morning. Thanking Kostas for delicious food and interesting story, we decided to move on to the legendary Kefalos.

Kefalos

The current name of Kefalos (in Greek - head) the city received due to the role that it once played as the capital of the island. The city seems to be divided into two parts. The first is Kamari, a typical seaside resort with numerous bars, restaurants, taverns, nightclubs and chic shops.

The second part of Kefalos has a long history. Previously, it was called Astypalea, and it was the first capital of the island. Of the historical sights, it is worth highlighting the ancient Christian basilica of St. Stefanos, located in the town of Palatea. Here are the ruins of the ancient temple of the goddess Demeter, the patroness of fertility and agriculture. Next to the temple is an even more ancient theater dating back to the era of early Hellenism, and ancient temple Saint Palatiani.

drinking

In the very central part of the island there is a place called Pili. Olive groves and lush gardens surrounding the town, as if painted by a talented landscape painter. The white stone houses are located around the picturesque city square with its cafeterias, bars, taverns and restaurants, where everyday city life takes place.

In taverns you can enjoy local traditional dishes or pastries - curd cakes with honey and cloves, called katimeria, as well as goat cheese boiled in red wine, with aromatic additions from mountain herbs. At a distance of one hundred meters from the square there is a beautiful city fountain with six springs. And very close you can see the domes of the church of the Holy Cross, built on the site of a temple and an ancient burial place of the Hellenistic era, associated with the name of a local hero - King Kharmil.

made the biggest impression on us Old city- Palio Pili.

At the top of the Dikeos hill there is a dilapidated and abandoned fortress built during the years of the Byzantine imperial dynasty, which ruled from the 9th to the 11th century. Later, during the reign of the Ionite Knights on the island, the walls of the old fortress were fortified, and the fortress itself became one of the main defensive outposts of the island. Nearby is the Byzantine Church of John the Baptist with stunning frescoes.

But we climbed to the top of the hill not only to inspect the ancient ruins. From here you have a fantastic view of the Turkish coast and the city of Bodrum, located directly opposite. The sun was going down. The sea waves rustled below, and we listened to the song of the sea and admired this unforgettable marvelous spectacle.

Kos city - the capital of the island

We decided to dedicate the second day on the island to walking around the city of Kos.

The whole history of the island has left its mark on the appearance of the capital. The mixture of cultures, eras and religions reminded us of ancient Babylon.

The ruins of the old city are located literally a stone's throw from the yacht marina where our yacht was.

That's where we headed.

ancient agora

In ancient Greek and Roman cities, the agora is the central market Square, has always played an important role in the political, spiritual and religious life of the city.

It was a vast space where the male part of the population gathered not only to shop or sell their goods, but also to learn last news about politics, discuss everyday city events and just chat.

After 366 BC, the city of Kos became the capital of the island and its agora, located near seaport- the "heart" of the city.

It had the traditional appearance of an ancient market and consisted of three main galleries - northern, western and eastern, converging to central square. They housed shops where they traded various goods for the needs of the townspeople. Around the Agora, you can see the remains of wide city streets and private houses, fragments of temple buildings dedicated to Hercules and Aphrodite, as well as the altar of the god Dionysus.

In the southern gallery of the ancient market there is a well-preserved domed building, which in the Roman era housed a dye shop. Here, during excavations, ancient coins and bronze figurines were discovered.

Villa Casa Romana (Roman House) on Kos

One of the most impressive monuments ancient city is the Roman villa Casa Romana. Its ruins were found during excavations after a strong earthquake in 1933 by Italian archaeologists. Greece almost immediately began the restoration, which lasted until 1940, but it was finally restored only after 60 years.

The size and rich decorations of the villa indicate that it belonged to one of the Roman aristocratic families who lived here around the beginning of the 3rd century. In front of the main entrance to the house rises a pedestal on which the inscription "Apeliksikakos" (the one who drives away evil) is visible.

The building has 26 rooms. Almost all rooms of the house have fragments of mosaic and marble decorations.

In the courtyard of the villa there is a fountain decorated with a mosaic depicting a panther devouring a deer.

The naturalistic scenes of the mosaic panels that lay the floors in all rooms imitate sea bottom. On some you can see the image of a dolphin, on others a mermaid riding a seahorse.

All of them are perfectly preserved.

Ancient Roman Odeon

The Roman Odeon was one of the most significant public buildings in the city of Kos. It is believed that this building was used not only for music competitions, but also at the same time was used for meetings of the City Council (designed for 750 people). The Odeon was built in the classical style of ancient semicircular amphitheatres. Once the building had a domed roof, which has not been preserved. Below is a place for the orchestra - a round shape with a marble floor.

During excavations on the territory of the Odeon, 18 marble sculptures were found. The most interesting of them is the statue of Hippocrates, now it can be seen in archaeological museum cities. Every year in the summer, symphonic music concerts are held here, in which orchestras from all over the world take part.

Fortress of the Knights of Ionites

Near the port, protecting its water area, the majestic walls of the Fortress of the Knights of Ionites rise. The gates of the fortress are decorated with the coat of arms of the Grand Master of the Order of Fernandez de Heredia. The castle was built in the 15th century. This is a rectangular building with tall towers at the corners. The fortress was built to control the sea passage to the Holy Land during the Crusades.

The Turks, who later captured the fortress, used it as a barracks for a military garrison and the residence of the governor, and in 1816 the fortress was almost completely destroyed when a gunpowder depot exploded. And only in the 40s of the XX century, Italian archaeologists restored the structure. Then the German invaders set up a prison within the walls of the fortress, and a few years after the end of World War II, in 1948, the building was declared a historical monument and taken under the protection of UNESCO.

Tired after a long walk, we wandered towards the port. People were walking along the embankment.

From bars, taverns and cafes came the multilingual speech, the sounds of music. And sadness crept into our hearts.

Tomorrow we will leave this wonderful island...

Kos did not have time to reveal even a small part of his charm to us. We did not see all its grandiose monuments, we did not enjoy sea bathing, did not take a walk at traditional holidays in honor of wine and the god Dionysus, did not attend folk music and dance concerts ...

And we decided that we would definitely return here! See you soon, Kos!

Kos Island (Greece) - the birthplace and kingdom of Odysseus, everyone knows about this from myths Ancient Greece. From above, the island of the Dodecanese archipelago resembles a sand castle framed by waters. Aegean Sea. The length of the coast is 112 km. The island will surely make you want to come back here. In cold weather, flamingos live here, and in summer Kos is covered with dense greenery of olive groves.

general information

The length of the island is only 50 km, and the width in different parts is from 2 to 11. Almost 31 thousand people live on Kos. In addition to this very island of Kos, the archipelago includes 11 more islets. The capital - the city of Kos - is characterized by a mixture of cultures, dense greenery and wonderful parks. The entire area of the island is a tourist area, each settlement has its own unique look, character and offers a certain relaxation.

This is interesting! As most tourists note, the island of Kos is the most financially accessible, since there are many 2-star hotels on its territory. The resort is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly in the world. The locals are friendly and calm.

Villages and beaches

The place of rest must be chosen depending on the purpose of the visit. Most prefer the city of Kos or settlements near the capital.

Kos city

All the beaches of the island of Kos are valued for their cleanliness, the coast in the capital is no exception. However, there is a tricky system here - the beaches belong to bars, vacationers are invited by employees of bars and cafes. Sunbeds and umbrellas are free, but subject to the purchase of something in the institution - ice cream or juice. Given the friendly attitude of the locals towards vacationers, there is a chance to make friends with the bartender and get the opportunity to relax on the beach without buying anything in a cafe.

The beaches in Kos are covered with pebbles, the water is clear, like dew. The only thing that can overshadow the rest on metropolitan beach- the feeling that you are in an anthill, especially in high season. If you want to relax in a quieter place, it is better to visit the beaches of other towns, especially since it is not difficult to get there, the distance is from 5 to 10 km. Here you can not only relax and sunbathe, but spend time actively - go sailing, water skiing or banana.

Kamari and Kefalos

Suitable for those wishing to enjoy the history of Greece and sunbathe on the beach. Located 43 km from the capital Kos. The beaches are well equipped, there are enough sun loungers and umbrellas, there are sports equipment rentals. Equipment rental will cost an average of 30 € per hour, it is much more profitable to rent for a day - 70 €. The sea is calm, there are enough attractions for children, and you can swim to the islets in the sea.

No description of the island of Kos in Greece is complete without a mention of Paradise Beach. The heavenly name of the coastal strip fully reflects the degree of comfort of the rest. The heavenly place is located near the settlement of Kefalos - its surroundings and the town itself are called the resort of Kamari. The beach line runs through a bay of natural origin and is framed by picturesque hills. Paradise is located near Kefalos. The shore is covered with sand, there are comfortable cabins and showers, equipment rental is available, and a windsurfing school operates.

The descent into the sea is gradual and soft; families often rest here. The water is amazingly clear, the sea inhabitants are perfectly visible. The water is 1-2 degrees lower than on other beaches of the island.

Another name for Paradise is Bubble Beach. This is due to a unique natural effect - volcano gases that come to the surface of the sea near the coast.

You can eat in a restaurant or a mobile cafe.

Several routes to the beach:

bus from the city of Kos - ticket price from 1.5 to 3 €, stop directly at the entrance to the beach;
bicycle – daily rent 4€;
scooter - the trip costs an average of 20 €;
car rental on average 30€;
taxi - a trip from Kardamena will cost an average of 15 € one way.

There are 4 parking lots in the vicinity of Paradise, but tourists recommend choosing a distant one.

Kardamena

The settlement of Kardamena is located 30 km southwest of the capital. It has everything - a beautiful beach, souvenir shops, shops and a pier from where sightseeing tours of the islands depart. The beach is well equipped, you can rent a yacht, the service for 7 days will cost 2300€.

Kardamena is a noisy and cheerful place, holidays are constantly held here. In terms of attractions, the town is somewhat inferior to other settlements, but in terms of the number of luxury hotels, Kardamene has no equal.

The best place for walking is the embankment, but it is located 3-4 km from the city. This part of Kardamena has the most 5 star hotels. Cheaper hotels are located in the central part of the village. Each hotel offers the necessary equipment for sports. Accommodation will cost from 30 to 300 €, depending on the star rating of the hotel.

The flow of tourists in this resort of Greece is not interrupted throughout the year, life is in full swing in numerous bars and discos.

You can get to Kardamena:

by car - rent up to 50 € per day, it is cheaper to rent a car for a week - from 110 €;
by bike - rent from 5 to 8 € per day;
by bus - the fare is 3 €.

The resort corner of Greece is located in the northern part of the island of Kos and attracts tourists with black sand beaches of volcanic origin. Many visitors to the island travel to Tigaki to watch the flamingos on Lake Aliko. The most amazing photos of the island of Kos in Greece are obtained here.

Lake Aliko

Tigaki is located 11 km from the capital of Kos. The main advantage of this resort is that no matter where you stay in Tigaki, the beach can be reached on foot.

The coastal zone with a length of 10 km, as a rule, is sparsely populated, while the infrastructure here is well developed, there is everything for comfortable rest. The descent into the water is gradual, gentle. Families with children prefer to relax here. Tigaki received several times the Blue Beach award - a sign of environmental cleanliness and absolute order. It is forbidden to bathe animals here, the descent to the water is convenient and safe. You can swim from May to September.

Windsurfers love to relax on the beach, as this part of the island of Kos is blown by the winds. Wave height reaches 2 meters.

Beachtigaki rates:

the entrance is free;
deck chair - 5 €;
beer - 3.5 €;
cocktails - from 5 €;
windsurfing lessons - an average of 50 €.

As tourists note, food and recreation on the island of Kos on Tigaki beach are more expensive than in other resorts of the island.

There are several ways to get to the town:

by regular bus - 2 €, the journey takes 30 minutes;
by bicycle or moped - from 3 to 5 €, however, it is difficult to move on a bicycle in mountainous areas;
by car - rent will cost 100 € for 2 days.

To the east of the city of Kos is the resort area of Psalidi. There are hotels here, on the one hand limited by a pebbly shore, and on the other - by a highway. Comfortable hotels attract the attention of lovers of European holidays, and constant winds - windsurfers.

Do not look for significant sights here. There is a windsurfing school in Psalidi, a lesson with an instructor and a trial dive will cost approximately 40 €.

Renting a sun lounger with an umbrella will cost 6 €, and one sunbed - 3 €. It is possible to visit thermal springs, sightseeing tour costs about 15€.

Mastichari and Marmari

These resorts are chosen by those who wish to receive relaxing holiday on Kos in Greece. There are not many sights here, the vegetation is predominantly steppe, the neighboring islands are perfectly visible from the coast.

Marmari is located 15 km from the capital of Kos, the “highlight” is live octopuses, which restaurant owners hang at the front door. For a portion of perfectly cooked seafood, you will have to pay from 6 to 8 €.

Mastichari is located 22 km from the city of Kos and 7 km from the airport, today it is one of the most visited resorts in this part of Greece. There is a comfortable beach with fine sand and clear water.

There are no usual trail markings on the island, but there are signs everywhere, so it’s impossible to get lost. Buses run from Kos Airport to the capital of the island with a stop in Mastichari. From the city of Kos to Mastichari, the main road leads, which follows from the villages of Zipari and Marmari. Flights run daily from 7-00 to 23-00, but the schedule often changes, it needs to be clarified.

The beach is 2 km long, there is a surf school. The beach stretches on the left side of the port, even in the high season there are not so many people here.

The coastline in Mastichari is wide, and the descent into the water is gentle. The water here acquires a turquoise hue, which, combined with white sand, gives the resort a special charm. On the beach you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas. The rental will cost from 5 to 7 €. Olive groves grow along the coast, which are often found throughout Greece.

On the shore you can rent a boat, catamaran or yacht. Experienced instructors offer their services.

Boats depart from Mastichari Pier to the neighboring island of Kalymnos. The route takes approximately 20 minutes, the ticket price for an adult is 5€, and for a child 3€.

Aquapark Lido

Not far from the settlement there is a water park Lido, the cost entrance ticket for adults 17€, children under 3 years old enter free of charge. There are lockers for things, clean toilets and a cafe. A shuttle bus stops next to the water park.

The best time to visit Mastichari is summer and September, when the air temperature warms up to + 35 ° C, and the water - up to + 26 ° C. Precipitation is almost non-existent at this time of the year.

How to get there

There are two routes to the island - air and water. On the ferry, you can move around with the car.

In the center of Kos and a kilometer from the settlement of Antimachia, there is Hippocrates Airport. From May to October they regularly fly here. charter flights From Russia. The flight takes no more than 3.5 hours, a transfer is provided in Athens. Flight from Athens to Kos takes 1 hour.

It is important! Most low prices for air tickets in late April - early May and October. During the peak season, their cost increases by one and a half times. At the airport, be sure to take a guide to the island of Kos.

If you want to travel by ferry, you will need to fly to Athens, arrive at the port of Piraeus, from here the ferry departs for Kos. The road takes more time, but in the cold season this route helps out. In addition, the cost of the route is much less than the price of a ticket for a charter flight. Greek ferries are comfortable, during the trip you will admire the local beauties to your heart's content. The road is long - 12 hours, a stop in Santorini is provided. The ticket price is approximately 40€. The schedule may change depending on the season.

Good to know! From Athens airport you can get to the port by bus X96, the ticket price is 5 €, the journey takes an hour and a half. There are also meters in the city, the ticket price is 8 €, the duration of the route is 1 hour 20 minutes. Ferry service is also established between the islands of Greece, for example, from Rhodes to Kos you can swim in 4 hours.

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Climate

Resort - incredible place because holidays in Greece on the island of Kos are wonderful at any time of the year. However, experienced travelers recommend visiting the paradise from May to September. In the high season - July-August - prices on the island increase significantly.

Island in summer

The air temperature rises to +31 °C, the weather is clear, and there is almost no wind - it feels like +40 °C outside. If the main purpose of the trip is to visit the sights, you should not go to Kos in the summer. In the heat, it is not very pleasant to travel around the island, but admirers beach holiday enjoy sunbathing and swimming in clear, turquoise water. The Aegean Sea warms up to +25°C.

Advice! The heat is easier to endure, eating watermelons and peaches, which are plentiful on the island.

Island in autumn

In September and October, Kos is truly the Velvet season. The air temperature is not higher than +26°C, and the water in the sea is +22…+25°C. Before lunch, vacationers sunbathe on the beaches, and in the afternoon they travel around the island.

When planning a vacation, check the weather forecast - in the fall it may begin to rain here. If you still decide to go on vacation, be sure to take an umbrella with you.

Island in spring

In the spring, Kos is beautiful - as if you find yourself in the Garden of Eden with outlandish flowers, it is not for nothing that the second name of the island is the garden of the Aegean Sea. Even cacti bloom here, if you want to keep the exotic of the island of Kos in the photo, do not miss the opportunity to capture how almonds and bougainvillea bloom.

In the spring, couples love to walk around the island. The air temperature here is +17…+22°C, and the water in the sea is +17…+20°C. At this time, nectarines and cherries appear on Kos. The spring season, along with the pine season, is called velvet - you can tan beautifully and explore Kos.

Island in winter

In the cold season, the island of Kos in Greece is visited for only one purpose - to be alone and take a walk along the coast. Weather with an air temperature of +14…+16°C, combined with a piercing wind and rain, does not favor long walks. You can warm up in a cafe or tavern by drinking a cup of coffee with almond liqueur. In winter, most shops, souvenir shops and cafes on the island of Kos are closed.

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Transport on the island

One of the terminals has an airport bus stop. Transport departs from here, following to the capital and some settlements. Last flight leaves at 19-40, in the low season - at 16-15. In total, no more than 5 flights depart per day. It is better to check the bus schedule in advance.

The route from the airport to the city of Kos follows through the settlement of Mastichariya. Ticket price from 3 to 4 €. There are also buses to Kardamena and Kefalos. From the bus station in Kos there are buses to all resort towns with an interval of 1.5-2 hours. The average ticket price is 7€.

If your hotel is located far from the bus route, it makes sense to rent a taxi. From the airport to Kos, a taxi will cost 35 €, which is how much you will have to pay to get to your destination.

Advice! Traveling in holiday season, try to book a taxi in advance, as there may not be free cars. It is most convenient to use the service online, available in Russian. In this case, the cost of the trip will be fixed regardless of the passenger's waiting time.

You can rent a car at the airport, however, since May, there are too many people who want to use the service and prices are skyrocketing. In addition, people are not always informed of all the terms of the lease. It is safest to use the Rentalcars service. So that your trip around the island of Kos is not overshadowed by the lack of transport, take care of booking a car in advance.

Greek culture is one of the most mysterious and enticing in the world. Kos (Greece) invites you to get acquainted with it, plunge into amazing legends and just relax on the beach.

The city of Kos is the capital of the "crab" island. It is known that this particular arthropod was minted on the coins of the island. So locals know what it's like to live like a "galley crab".

The city is located near the coast of Turkey. On a clear morning you can see how waking up neighboring country. After the terrible earthquake of 1933, Kos was actually rebuilt. But every cloud has a silver lining - after the earthquake, so many ancient Greek artifacts were found in the ruins!

How to get there

The important question here is how to get to the island. Because from transport hubs you can then easily get to the city, for example, by taxi. For example, Hippocrates Airport is located 25 kilometers from the capital of the island. From Moscow they usually get this way - a flight to Athens or Thessaloniki, and from there - to Kos. It turns out that three capitals are involved in the flight: Russia, Greece and the islands. Everything about everything takes a little more than 4 hours of a clean journey.

You can also get to the island by ferry from the following ports: Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Piraeus, Samos. Sometimes these are not direct flights, but with stops in other cities.

Find flights to Kos City (nearest airport to Kos City)

Transport

Kos is a small town, the best way to get around is on foot. Moreover, all the attractions are located close to each other.

For tourists, special city buses and trams run around the city. Green trams are for sightseeing tour around the city, in blue, they go to the archaeological site of Asklepion. On average, each tram runs 20 minutes.

Many hotels offer bike and motorbike rentals. The price per day will be about 5 EUR.

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The beaches of Kos

The island is famous for its cleanest sandy beaches, but the sand did not reach the capital of Kos. On the local coast - large pebbles. But the water is clear, like dew in the morning, when Türkiye is waking up.

The main city beach is like an anthill: it is constantly packed with people who rush back and forth with umbrellas and sun loungers. If you want to get to a quieter place - go to the beaches in the neighborhood, which are located 5-10 kilometers from the city. There you will ride on a sailboat, and jump on the waves on a “banana”, and stand on water skis.

Views of the capital Kos

The shops

On the island, it is best to shop in the capital. There are many souvenir shops in the city - they stand in the old town and along the waterfront. The market in the city center sells hot spices and pure olive oil.

The main area for shopping is the place between Eleftherios Square and the ancient Nymphion. Tourists most often choose clothes, jewelry and leather goods as gifts.

Cuisine, restaurants

Kos is a multinational city where the cultures of different peoples are closely intertwined. This mix also affects the kitchen. The city is very stormy night life. Restaurants offer dishes of Italian, Greek, Chinese and other cuisines. There is nothing better than sitting in a cafe on the coast in the evening and watching the returning yachts and fishing boats.

In the morning, you can refresh yourself with Greek pancakes, try local pizza, or order a large lamb chop, which is great for those who overdid it last night.

Hotels in Kos

Most hotels in Kos City collect positive reviews. It is not surprising, because any insignificant trifle that can annoy, pales in front of the nature of the city and the view from the window. Wherever you look - everywhere the sea, under the windows of the pool, and girls, girls, girls.

Local hotels offer themselves profitably and tastefully. There are rooms from 3 to 5 "stars", if you want - rent a hotel house. Lovers of "wild" recreation can live on the beach. Unless, of course, the police close your motel.

The cost of accommodation in a standard hotel is from 1500 to 3000 rubles. Hotels of a higher class charge up to 5000 rubles per night. This is, in general, a small amount for the list of services that you can receive.

4 things to do in Kos town

Take a ride on a yacht - rental points are located in ports. If you documented that you know how to operate a ship, then go on a trip on your own. Otherwise, you will have to pay for the services of the team.
Drinking retsina or ouzo are local alcoholic drinks. National Greek alcohol can be found only in wine glasses. The choice is great. Under a bottle of strong or red dry, stories about the history of the island go well.
Eating barbecue is another gastronomic must. Barbecue on Kos is cooked with great responsibility. The dish is served with vegetables and light wine. Sometimes you can order takeaway.
Do not forget about the rules of decency - the Greeks really do not like brawlers, although sometimes they themselves are not averse to organizing a demonstration. But in public places it is better not to buzz, otherwise you will get a fine or even an arrest.