About Kos Island, Greece

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Basic Intro to Kos

The island of Kos belongs to the Dodecanese group of islands and lies only about 5kms from the Turkish mainland. Although one of the largest in the group the island it is still relatively small being about 45kms long by about 10kms at the widest point. It offers a variety of holiday opportunities from nightlife to quiet, tranquil beach or village holidays.

Like all this region the island has had a turbulent history full of up and downs including earthquakes. In the earthquake of 1933 much of the old town of Kos was lost and the new town of Kos rose from the ruins like a proverbial phoenix. Historically, the island came under Venetian rule, was sold to the Knights Hospitaller in the early 1300s and then found itself under Ottoman Rule in the early 1500s. Its next major shift in ownership was when it came under Italian administration in 1912. During the Second World War it fell to Germany but in 1947 was given to Greece after being liberated at the end of WW2.

Today the island attracts great numbers of tourists who come to visit the great sites of antiquity or enjoy the beautiful golden beaches and warm Aegean sea. Inland, farming is the mainstay of many of the villages where crops are frequently fruit and include almonds, olives, figs, grapes and tomatoes. Most of the island population is concentrated in Kos town, the port and centre of tourist activity. The whitewashed buildings house hotels, bars, restaurants and shops of every description selling everything from local crafts, replica artworks and antiquities to local speciality food and drink. At the entrance to the harbour visitors can see the ancient fortress dating back to the 14th century.

A famous name associated with Kos is that of 5th century BC Hippocrates, the ancient physician who is generally believed to have been born on Kos and there taught medicine. In the town is a venerable Plane tree which stands in the place in which Hippocrates is supposed to have lectured his students. There are museums and excavated sites to be visited including a statue of Hippocrates, a shrine to Aphrodite and the ruins of the Sanctuary of Asclepius.

The villages of Kos are well worth visiting and some of the more interesting include Palio Pylio, dating back to mediaeval times; Asfendiou, Kefalos and Antimachia. If it's a beach holiday that you want then the quieter ones tend to be on the western coastline whilst the more popular include Paradise Beach, Marwari, Tagaki and Mastihari. If you want a vibrant nightlife scene then Kos town is the place to find it and it's here that you'll also find the not-to-be-missed local speciality, 'Red Cheese', which is local cheese baked with red wine.

Access to, and on, the island is not difficult as Kos has its own airport and there are frequent ferries between the islands and from the Turkish mainland. Once on the island most places of interest can be reached by rented car or bike, by buses or taxis, and by boat to the more remote beaches.

Find Kos Island Holiday Bargains plus basic Information about the island's, nightlife, accommodation, beaches, hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, shops and your stay on Kos with KosHolidays.info