Kos, places to visit?

The mythical Island of the Blessed, home of Hippocrates

In the south east corner of the Aegean lies the verdant island of Kos, home of Hippocrates. Here, according to legend, under a plane tree in the central part of the island, the father of medicine outlined the famous Hippocratic Oath to his students.
Luxuriant natural beauty, traditional villages, endless golden beaches with clear blue waters and architectural treasures make the land of Hippocrates a popular destination, and its blend of eastern and western cultures give it a particular charm.

In ancient times, Kos was known as the “Island of the Blessed” due to its beauty and the fact that it was believed to be home of gods and heroes. Galen claimed that its climate was the best on Earth. In fact Kos is particularly blessed with an excellent climate: the winters are mild and the summers, thanks to the north-west winds, are long and not to hot. The sun shines almost continuously and warm autumns mean that it is possible to swim from May to October.

The city of Kos has developed around the port in a maze of bustling streets that lead to the characteristic Mosques of Defterdar and Hajji Hassan, behind the ruins of the old Agora.

Beaches of fine sand and limpid sea with a thousand shades of blue

The best part of the island is in the area of Kefalos where the most famous beaches can be found. The most beautiful, called Paradise Beach, has fine sand and is found in a delightful bay with crystal clear waters that vary from light azure to dark blue.

A short distance away, in Agios Stefanos, the beach extends to the foot of the ruins of the early Christian Basilica of Agios Nikolaos. From here it is possible to swim to the Islet of Agios Stefanos - known locally as Kastri - and climb up to the small blue and white church. The view is wonderful and several trees provide shade during the hottest time of the day. Kos also has many other very beautiful beaches, both around the city and further away.

Located 26 km from the city is the picturesque village of Kardamena, which comes alive at night, while from Mastichari ferries leave for Kalymnos, another beautiful island famous for its sponges.

The island lies 4 km from the Turkish coast, making it easy to go on a day mini cruise to Bodrum.

The city of Kos is abundant with archaeological remains from classical, Hellenistic and Roman eras. In addition to the Archaeological Museum, it is well worth visiting the ancient Agora, the ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite, the Temple of Hercules and the fifth-century Christian basilica.

Archaeological testimonies of an illustrious past emerge numerous on the island

The most important monuments in Kos are the Knights’ Castle, which dominates the city from above, and the ruins of Asklepion, the oldest hospital in the world, and a temple dedicated to Asklepios (who the Romans called Aesculapius), the Greek god of medicine.

The ruins of the Asklepion, which is surrounded by striking scenery, are distributed over three levels. A magnificent view of Kos and the Turkish coast can be enjoyed from the top.

Other important archaeological ruins can be found in the port area and include temples, houses, roads and Greek-Roman baths. Other monuments include the Turkish mosques, the minarets, the Orthodox cathedral, the now abandoned synagogue, Italian-style buildings, and the fifteen-century Venetian ramparts.

Colors and scents of Greek cuisine

The island of Kos offers a rich gastronomic tradition with Greek and Mediterranean dishes.

Kos Island offer a rich gastronomic tradition with Greek and Mediterranean food

Among the typical products to taste, there are:

the wine-cheese, a local goat cheese submerged in red wine;
the pitaridia, a lasagna boiled in the broth juice;
the local dessert “Barbara“, composed of boiled wheat with tahini, sugar, almonds, nuts, raisins, pomegranate, cinnamon, rose water, orange skin and spices;
the lampropites, a cheese with eggs and yeast;
the katimeria, fried cheese pies served with syrup and the marmarites (traditional pancakes baked on marble) served with sugar or honey.

To taste also the afrena or eftazima, fermented breads whith yeast of the foam of boiled chickpeas and laurel leaves; the Lazari or lazarakia, a white wheat bread. Instead, the traditional beverage is Kanelada, made of cinnamon, and the Alefaskia a tea like herb found on the island. Also, the local wines and the thyme honey. Many restaurants and taverns can be found throughout the Island of Kos, to taste the local flavors.

Text by Alisè Vitri

Avion Tourism Magazine
Photos: Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock

Video: www.kos.gr

Tourism Board

www.visitgreece.gr

www.kos.gr

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Where to sleep in Kos

Kos offers hotels in all the most beautiful areas of the island, where to stay during your holiday in structures with different services.

To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.

STARS

Hotels for stars, differentiated by type of services:

DISTRICTS

Hotels in the districts

Ancient Agora

Kos Port

Kos Town

LANDMARKS

Hotels in tourist areas

Amphitheatre

Church of Agia Paraskevi

Kos Castle

AIRPORT

Hotels near the airport

Kos Airport

Hotels in other cities of Greece

Greece

WHERE TO GO in KOS

Monuments of Kos

MEDIEVAL CASTLE OF KOS

The Medieval Castle (Kastro Nerantzias), built in 1436, is situated in the port entrance in a location which is believed to have been fortified in Byzantine times.

The impressive edifice comprises the inner grounds with round turrets at each of the four corners, and the outer grounds that are surrounded by massive battlements. In the inner part there are altars, steles and ancient Greek architectural members.

FREEDOM SQUARE IN KOS

Freedom Square is the hub of the modern town, bordered by three enormous buildings, a legacy of the Italian rule: the municipal market, the club (during the Italian rule, it was called the “Hall of Fascism”), and the Archeological Museum, housing a collection of prehistoric finds, sculptures, and mosaic floors removed from the ancient town’s Roman buildings and built as a replica of the Roman public baths (thermae). Defterdar Mosque also borders the square.

ANCIENT TOWN OF KOS

The ancient Kos town was the island’s capital as of 366 B.C. The remarkable archeological sites include the Agora, market place; the Doric-style Hellenistic temple; the Altar of god Dionysos; the sanctuary of Hercules; the ruins of the castle walls’ northern side; the Roman public baths; the luxurious Roman mansions with their remarkable mosaic floors and the 2^nd Century AD Roman odeon which seated 750 people.

HIPPOCRATES' PLANE TREE

Hippocrates’ Plane Tree, 2,500 years old, is opposite Lotzia Mosque. It is said that the great doctor, Hippocrates, taught his students and examined his patients in the shade of that tree. The trunk’s circumference is more than 10 metres and its gigantic branches cast their shade over the entire square. To the east side of the plane tree there is a round fountain whose dome is supported by 7 columns with Corinthian-order capitals.

Excursions in Kos

Even though the city of Kos is without doubt the vital centre of the island, the inland villages and characteristic towns of Asfendiou, Kardamena, Pylion, Antimacchia and Zia (famous for evening entertainment organised by the locals) are well worth a visit, and are all less than 20 km from the capital.

ASKLEPIEION

Asklipieion, located 3.5 km south-west of Kos town, was the most famous temple sacred to god Asklipios of the Hellenic world. It was built in the 4^th Century BC after the death of Hippocrates. Important to visit are the complex of the Roman Thermae, the altar dedicated to Helios, Hemera, Hekate and Machaon (son of Asklipios), the Ionian Temple of Asklipios and the large Doric Peripteral Temple of Asklipios (170-160 BC).

AGIOS FOKAS

Agios Fokas is an old rural community, with a beautiful beach, that has recently acquired the character of a tourist resort. At nearby Empros Thermi there is a warm-water well keeping a temperature of 42-45°C. In the summertime, the well’s therapeutic waters flow into the sea and the waters are particularly beneficial to those suffering from rheumatic and arthritic pains. The water follows a submarine course from the volcano on Nisyros Island.

ZIA

This is probably the most picturesque village on the island that keeps to its traditional character. The small white houses with blue doors and windows built in an amphitheatre-like manner on the rocks, the simple and hospitable people, the open-air market and the spectacular view have made Zia one of the favourite destinations on Kos. On the top of Mount Dikaios, above Zia, you will find the historic chapel dedicated to Dikaios Christos, built in 1079.

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