Kós (Greek Κως [kɔs], Turkishİstanköy) is an island in the Aegean, it belongs to the archipelago Dodecanese. Thanks to cheap charter flights from Central Europe, there are quite a few tourists on the island in the high season. Almost all regions of the island are strongly shaped by tourism.
Regions
places
- The main town in the northeast of the island 1 Kos town
(Κως) is the economic and tourist center of the island. Here is the port where the ferries from Piraeus, Rhodes and dock from the rest of the archipelago. Kos town offers several museums and the castle in the harbor, which can be visited for an entrance fee of € 5. There are plenty of options here for a shopping tour and for going out. In the center of the city there is also the old agora, where the Hippocrates' plane tree stands.
- At the very other end of the island, about 40 km by road, is the village 2 Kefalos (Κέφαλος), which is located slightly higher than a 3 km wide bay. While the village itself doesn't have too much to offer, there is a lovely sandy beach and a waterfront promenade with plenty of restaurants. In this part of Kefalos (Kamari, Καμάρι) There are many restaurants, hotels, apartments, rooms, etc. There is also a travel agency that organizes day trips, be it to Kos town or to the volcanic island that is visible in good weather Nisyros. There are various hotel complexes on the very long Polemi Beach to the northeast.
- The only destination on the south coast of the island is 3 Kardamena (Καρδάμαινα). This town is particularly popular with the celebratory younger crowd, mainly from the United Kingdom arrives. There are various clubs and countless bars, especially along the harbor or in the streets behind it. From Kardamena there are excursion boats to the island Nisyroswhich leave every day at 9:30 a.m. and are back at 4:30 p.m.
- The small village is on the north coast 4 Mastichari (Μαστιχάρι), from where the ferries to the neighboring and clearly visible Kalymnos lay down. There are a few small restaurants and cafes on the large sandy beach.
- The mountain village 5 Zia (Ζια) is known for its beautiful sunsets. It essentially consists of the main street lined with souvenir shops. Some restaurants have good sunset views, with the good seats going away quickly.
- The place 6 Pyli (Ρυλί) in the middle of the island is nothing special in itself, but the archaeological site is right next door Palio Pyli (Alt Pyli, Παλιο Πυλί). The ruins of an ancient Greek settlement are scattered over a mountain topped by a well-preserved castle.
- The village 7 Platani (Πλατανι) near Kos town has two special features to offer: The beautiful, lively village square around which five restaurants are located. A large oak tree grows in the middle and provides shade. A good 200 m from the village square there is a well-frequented mosque, a reference to Greece's Ottoman past. You can get there by bike in a good 15 minutes (2.2 km) from Kos town. In addition, the city buses run from Kos town to here.
Other goals
A one-hour boat trip from Kardamena or Kefalos will bring you to the volcanic island Nisyroswhose silhouette is clearly visible in good weather.
background
The island of Kos is almost 50 km long and about eight kilometers wide from west to east. A mountain range runs along the south coast, the highest point of which is the Dikeos at 846 m.
The island was already settled in prehistoric times, later Doric settlers from Epidaurus came to Kos. The balance of power changed several times. Kos belonged to Persia and the Roman Empire. From the 15th century AD Kos was part of the Ottoman Empire. The occupation lasted until 1912, when the island came under Italian control, and the German Wehrmacht occupied the island from 1943 until the end of the war.
The original capital Astypalaia was near the city of Kefalos on the peninsula of the same name. In the 4th century BC The new capital Kos was founded.
Around 33,000 people live on Kos, around 18,000 of them in Kos Town.
getting there
By plane
- 1 Kos Airport "Ippokrates" (Κρατικός Αερολιμένας Κω «Ιπποκράτης», IATA: KGS).The international Kos Hippocrates Airport is about in the middle of the island, near the place Antimachia. It is predominantly used in scheduled services by Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airways approached. In the holiday season (April to October) Kos is also the destination of numerous charter planes and low-cost airlines. The island can then be easily reached by plane from Germany and Austria. The flight time from Düsseldorf to Kos Airport is approximately three hours.Open: 24/7.
- There is a transit bus between the airport and the cities of Kos, Mastichari, Kardamena and Kefalos. There is a public bus stop 50 m from the terminal building. Tickets can be bought from the bus driver. The Timetables are posted on the station house. The prices are moderate and are € 3.20 to Kos town, € 2.50 to Kefalos, € 2.00 to Kardamena.
By boat
There are daily ferry connections from Rhodes and from the neighboring islands, as well as from the Turkish port city Bodrum.
About three times a week you can take the ship from Piraeus to Kos, the journey takes over eleven hours.
With a sailing yacht
Has one in the Turkey z. B. in Bodrum (Turgutreis) chartered a sailing boat, you can get the necessary papers in the port of Kos, which you need for another very recommendable sailing trip to the smaller Greek islands.
mobility
By bicycle
The island is not big, about 40 km is the longest road, and is therefore very suitable for excursions by bike. In and around Kos Town, bicycles are rented out in addition to motorcycles and cars. Except for the main connection axis across the island during the tourist season, most of the roads are quiet and not very busy. In and around Kos town there are some bicycle lanes that are separated from the road. A particularly good route is from the harbor basin in Kos Town to the east along the shore. Finally, you have to use the road and after 13 km (about an hour) you reach the Embros thermal baths on the south coast of the island.
By bus
The island buses run regularly between the capital, the airport and the other places: Monday to Saturday seven times a day and Sunday three times a day in each direction. The fares are moderate and from Kos town to Marmari € 2.10 and from Kos town to Kefalos (across the whole island, longest route) € 4.80 (as of May 2017). The travel time for this 40 km route is a good hour and the journey times are on the website http://www.ktel-kos.gr/site_en/ktel-kos-local-bus-schedules visible.
In the street
With your own car it is difficult to get to Kos with expensive ferries. There is a wide range of small cars on the island, which are usually rented out with full insurance. The main axis runs through Kos from Kos town to Kefalos. From this road you can get to all places on the island partly via paved roads, partly via gravel roads.
The consistent use of the Legal rule in the roundabouts of the island. Anyone in the roundabout must always give way / right of way / right of way to traffic from the right turning into the roundabout.
The fines are very high in Greece; one more reason - besides safety - to adhere to the regulations.
Tourist Attractions
- 1 Hippocrates' plane tree (Πλάτανος του Ιπποκράτη).The plane tree of Hippocrates is an oriental plane tree on the Platia Platanou in the city of Kos. The tree is named after the ancient doctor Hippocrates of Kos, who planted the plane tree and is said to have taught his students the art of medicine under the tree. According to this, it would have an age of more than 2,400 years. Today's tree is a maximum of 500 years old due to its life expectancy. The trunk diameter at the base is 4.70 m, the circumference is 10.5 m and the crown diameter is around 18 m.
- 2 Asclepion (Ασκληπιείο Κω).The Asclepion of Kos is the most important archaeological site on the island of Kos. It was discovered in 1901 and exposed by 1904. Since the buildings are located on a slope, the Asklepieion was laid out on several terraces and the levels were connected to one another via imposing, marble staircases.Price: Entry € 8.
- 8 Mountain village of Zia (Ζια).Zia is a strongly developed tourist place, there are numerous taverns and tourist shops, especially textile and herb shops. Attractions of the place are the wide view from 300 meters above sea level over large parts of the island of Kos, the northern neighboring islands and the neighboring Turkish mainland.
- 3 Palio Pyli.Palio Pyli is an abandoned village with a castle in the municipality of Dikeos. The ruins are located on the northern slope of the island mountains and offer very good views of the places Marmari (Kos), Tigaki, the salt lake Alykes and the sea. Two 11th-century churches (Asómati Taxiárches Gavriíl ke Miachaíl Church) and the Church of Mary (Panagía ton Kastrianón) have been preserved between the mostly crumbled houses.
- Monasteries, in the area of Kefalos.
- 4 Hospitaller Fortress Neratzia (Κάστρο της Νεραντζιάς Κω) (= in Kos town).Neratzia Fortress is a St. John's fortress in the city of Kos. The name refers to the then numerous bitter orange trees in the vicinity. The fortress is located on a narrow peninsula east of Mandraki Harbor and north of the Palm Boulevard Leoforos ton Finikon. Due to earthquake damage, the fortress has been closed to visitors since July 2017.
- Excavations in Kos town
- 2 Mandraki harbor (Port of Kos).The port of Kos serves as a sea port, for fishing, sport, tourism, as a port for handling goods and as a small naval base. It is the main port on the island of Kos for both passenger and freight traffic. Freshly caught fish and other marine animals are sold directly to interested parties at the fishermen's landing stages. Larger ocean-going ships, ferries and large passenger ships dock in the area of the entrance to the port. About 1 km to the south-east there is another port for pleasure craft and yachts (marina) with its own, adapted infrastructure for recreational shipping and tourist purposes.
activities
- Swimming. The north coast around Tigaki and Mastichari offers a fairly wide sandy beach, which is freed from alluvial seaweed during the season. Other beaches can be found in the bay near Kefalos. The Embros thermal baths, a thermal spring in the sea, is about 8 km from Kos town.
- surfing. The best place to surf is in Kefalos Bay. There are also other places where it is offered.
- hike. Both the mountain region - up to 846 m high - and the coastal strip invite you to walk and hike. Many historical ruins can be admired along the way.
shop
- Gold and silver jewelry is available in various shops, especially in Kos Town and Kardamena.
- Fruits pickled in syrup are a Koi specialty.
For self-caterers there is a Carrefour supermarket and a Lidl branch on the main road from Kos town to Zipari. Several small markets can be found everywhere.
At the minaret in Kos town there is a market hall with typical articles. From there you can get to Altstadtgasse with many tourist shops.
kitchen
A specialty of the island are squids, which are very tasty prepared in a stifado style. Locals like to eat in Platani at z. b. Arap, serif under the trees or in Kos city in Olympiada (city), at oh Alis (Aghia Marina) or in Petrino (old town). There are many mezedes (starters) and typical cuisine. In Tigaki there are some good and cheap taverns.
nightlife
In Kos Town opposite the Doto Train Station is the bar street with a number of bars. There are several discos and bars near Dolphin Square.
Kardamena is also home to many bars and a few nightclubs, and Tigaki also has several bars.
accommodation
- Grecotel Kos Imperial ***** Deluxe. The Grecotel Kos Imperial is a wonderful facility. It is located in Psalidi on a pebble beach. The complex is spacious, has three pools and a children's area. The lobby has a wonderful view over a terrace with a water basin in the middle. The outdoor restaurant is partially surrounded by water and has a great view of the sea through the complex. Due to the relaxed design, you don't get the impression of being in a large hotel. The bus to Kos town stops right in front of the hotel and it's 4½ km in 10-15 minutes. There are many shopping opportunities there. There are no places to eat or drink around the hotel. There is only a small supermarket opposite. But there is also a supermarket in the hotel, which is well stocked for a hotel supermarket.
- Grecotel Royal Park ****. More suitable for families.
- Kos Aktis Art Hotel ****. Design hotel right by the sea in Kos Town. All rooms have a direct sea view. A ribbon of glass in the bathroom gives you a direct view of the sea through the room. Very well thought out and stylish. The associated H²0 restaurant / cafe is located on an outside terrace and forms a dreamlike backdrop in the evening. Fine dining. Fusion food. During the day, unfortunately, the ravages of time and the sea has worn away some paint.
- Mastichari Bay ****. Extensive hotel complex in Mastichari.
- Gaia Garden ***. A hotel with many regular guests in Lambi, approx. 700 m from the pebble beach. The hotel has about 200 beds in several buildings and is located in a very beautiful garden area. Hotel restaurant with outdoor terrace on the 1st floor, in contrast to the usual international cuisine, many Greek dishes are also offered here. There is a small supermarket right next to the hotel, further shops, bars and restaurants are approx. 350 m away, as is a bus stop. Distance to Kos city approx. 1½ km.
- Hotel Ilios ***. A hotel complex in Tigaki, around 1.2 km from the beautiful sandy beach. The hotel has around 400 beds in the main building and in several outbuildings. There are two pools in the large garden.
trips
There is a ferry to Bodrum (TurkeyInteresting is a boat tour to the neighboring islands of Kalimnos, Nisyros and pserimos. The ships depart from Kardamena or Mastichari. In Kos city there are many excursion boats that offer trips to Bodrum, Rhodes or an island tour past the neighboring islands. The market days in Bodrum are shown. The hydrofoils offer a quick crossing to Bodrum. A diving boat offers excursions (2012) and from Mastihari you can take the car ferry to Kalymnos. From Kardamena to Nisyros.
climate
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average air temperature in ° C | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 23 | 20 | O | 24.3 |
| Average water temperature in ° C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 18 | O | 20 |
| Rainy days in the month | 11 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 | Σ | 55 |
literature
Web links
- http://www.kos.gov.gr - Kos Official Website (Greek only)
