Kos Key Attractions

In Kos Town, there are archaeological sites throughout as well a large number of splendid buildings blended in with the more modern aspects of the town. It is truly a mix of ancient ruins and beach resorts. Kos Old Town is a maze of narrow lanes that course their way between sun-soaked buildings, with plenty of restaurants and bars offering refreshment as you wander through the area.

Hippocrates tree

Kos is the island of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. The huge Hippocrates tree, with a trunk of almost 40 feet in circumference, stands to the right of the harbour, in front of the Knights Castle entrance. It is one of the towns most famous sights. It is thought that Hippocrates actually planted this tree himself, making this most likely the oldest tree in Europe.

Knights Castle

The 15th century medieval Castle of the Knights of St John is noted to be the most impressive monument built in the Venetian period. Its architecture features a defensive double wall and moat, and it remains in surprisingly good condition.

Sculptures by Alexandros Alwyn

In the old harbour area, opposite Dolphins square, there are sculptures by Alexandros Alwyn, located in the Garden of Hippocrates. For a number of years, Alwyn maintained one of his studios on Kos, in the village of Evangelistra.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum houses a fine collection of Roman mosaics and sculptures dating from the 3rd century. It also contains artefacts from the Classical and Hellenistic eras, and a statue of Hippocrates dating from the 4th century BC. There are a number of excavations to be found to the south and the west of the museum. The Roman Odeon is in this area, with many rows of its seats still intact.

Around the island

No part of the island is very far from Kos Town and there is much for you to see by driving around. There are outstanding beaches and traditional fishing villages, ancient ruins and archaeological sites, rolling countryside and fertile as well as well-tilled fields.

Just to the east of Kos Town are the least congested of the islands beaches. This is largely due to the fact that they are pebbled rather than sandy. The views from theses beaches are splendid and there are hot springs nearby, well worth a visit for a relaxing soak. On the north side of the island, youll find beaches that are excellent for windsurfing. Tingaki and Marmara are both good choices, and anything you might need can be rented on the beach. On the islands south coast, Kamel Beach and Magic Beach are less frequented by tourists than Paradise Beach, which is situated between them.

The region of forests and mountains that extends from Platani to Plaka in the south is the islands most remote and culturally intact region. The villages of this mountainous area were at one time the centre of life on the island. From just outside Kos Town, you can travel through several traditional island villages. Along the way, youll see the ruins of old Pili, which was a mountaintop castle that seems to have grown organically from the rocky outcrop. A bit farther on, if you stop in Zia, there is a magnificent view of the whole island and the sea. You can also shop for ceramics and Greek art here.

If youre interested in staying off the beaten track, there is another interesting drive to consider. This takes you to the southwest coast, where Sunset Wave Beach is located, below Ayios Theologos. The Vavithis family has a restaurant here, offering meals in a very enjoyable setting.