Overview

Within easy access of most European airports and ferries from the other Greek islands, Kos maintains a steady, mild climate all year-round. Doubtless, it has some of the best beaches to offer in the region, but there is more to this island than just sand, sea and sun.

Resorts

Kos Town on the north coast is the island’s capital and combines a holiday atmosphere and award winning beaches with a historic old town. Set in Kos Harbour, the Neratzia Castle offers an evocative look back at the island’s mysterious past. Its mighty defences are joined by a moat and drawbridge and have repelled countless invaders in years gone by and were once home to the Knights of the Order of Saint John. Opposite the castle is the Hippocrates Platanos; possibly the oldest tree in Europe with a trunk circumference of just over 12 metres! Hippocrates is said to have taught medicine to his students under this very tree.

Beaches

The beach culture is well established in Kos. Most of the fine-sanded beaches have taverns and bars and the smell of fresh fish grilling on a barbecue is something that you will never be able to repeat once you have left your Kos holidays, no matter how hard you try. For example, Kardamena, only an hour from Kos Town is a busy and well-established resort with a lively nightlife, while Kefalos in the south west offers unforgettable sunrises (if you’re up that early or late) and stunning beaches.

Food

Traditional Kos cuisine relies on simple, but fresh ingredients; fresh fish, meat and vegetables are served with uncomplicated seasonings. Meatballs, squid, stifado and pastitso reflect the Turkish and Mediterranean influences on the island and are commonly eaten in small tavernas with a glass of chilled, pine-scented retsina wine.

Those on family holidays might like to take a boat trip to the nearby island of Nisyros. Legend has it that Nisyros and Kos were once the same island, until the sea god, Poseidon grabbed a part of it and hurled it at Polyvotis, trapping him underneath. Polyvotis’ anger is supposed to responsible for the volcano that now lies dormant here. Whilst there, you could meander through the cobbled back-streets of Mandraki and explore the Monastery of Madonna of the Caves; a church hidden in the bowels of the rock that the volcano has helped to form.

Kos holidays offer the chance for traditional, relaxing holidays, but the opportunities to turn it into something much more are endless.

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