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 This island of the Dodecanese group has been taken over almost completely by tourism, catering especially for family holidays. Aside from the drawcard of beautiful beaches, Kos has an abundance of interesting ruins to explore, and is easily reached from Rhodes or Bodrum (Turkey) by ferry. Kos was prominent in antiquity because of its healing temple of Asclepius, founded after the death of the famed physician Hippocrates, who allegedly taught students on the island. The island also features the remains of temples for other healing deities, including Isis and Sarapis, and appears to have historically been an island healing retreat. The island boasts a tree that is reputedly the oldest in Europe and Hippocrates is said to have held lecture sessions in its shade. The island also has several archaeological remains of Persian, Turkish, Roman and Byzantine conquerors that all added their bit during a long history. Kos has busy bars and an entertaining nightlife, and there are some pleasant towns and beaches outside the capital, but those looking for empty beaches should head for quieter islands. |
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Kos Main resort reviews
Kardamena is the liveliest resort on Kos. Small and compact. its welcoming atmosphere and mountainous scenery make it the number one choice for groups of young British people who are Lured by the pale, sandy beach, with its great variety of watersports available in high season, and the flat terrain loved by cyclists and walkers. This sheer fun resort comes lo life at night and the young and lively will undoubtedly have found their haven in Kardamena. Warning: it's for young couples and groups who are attracted by the nightlife and superb beaches. If you don't fit - don't sit. Transfer time is about 20 minutes by car/taxi or 45 minutes by coach.
Kos Town/Psalidi Cosmopolitan Kos Town, guarded by the Impressive Castle of the Knights has two main beaches with bars & tavernas running along its tree lined promenade, and exciting nightlife to rival any resort in Greece. Psalidi is Kos Town's quieter neighbour, a few kilometres of coastline away. It remains peaceful and relaxing throughout the year and you can almost always find a quiet spot on its sand-and-shingle beach. An evening stroll along the shore will bring you to tavernas where you can admire the stunning coastline of Turkey whilst you enjoy a romantic meal. The young & lively head to the town in peak season, although all ages are attracted to the more relaxed areas on the outskirts. Transfer time is about 45 minutes by car/taxi or 90 minutes by coach.
Marmari is the perfect resort for those looking for peace and relaxation in glorious surroundings, with a good range of hotel-based activities and facilities, including evening entertainment. The village does have a scattering of good local restaurants, beachside bars and small mini-markets and shops, but Kos Town, 12 kilometres away, has everything you'll need. Marmari's long, sandy beaches of golden sand gently shelve into the sea. with views of Kalymnos. Watersports are on offer at the main resort centre and it is a popular spot for windsurfing. Marmari is about 13 km from the airport.
Mastihari Located on a beautiful beach of the north side of the island, 18km form the city of Kos and just 8 km from the airport. Mastihari is probably the idea resort for beach lovers and for couples looking for a quiet - but not too quiet, holiday in the sun. There are a handful of small shops, tavernas and simple restaurants near the beach, a short walk from most of the hotels that are more inland. Transfer time is about 20 minutes by car/taxi or 45 minutes by coach.
Nea Alikarnossos is really a suburb of Kos town and much of the entertainment is hotel based. For those wanting a livelier time then Kos town is all but a short taxi ride away. Transfer time is about 40 minutes by car/taxi or 80 minutes by coach. |
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Kos Travel Facts: Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between the last Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin and the round three-pin.
Money: The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, divided into 100 cents. Banks and bureaux de change are widely available and travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining euros. Language: Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport valid for the intended period of stay, but a visa is not required. Health: There are no specific health risks in Greece, but visitors who plan to walk through forested areas are advised to consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Medical facilities in Greece vary; those in major cities are excellent but many of the islands are some distance from a decent hospital. Food and water are safe, but those visiting for short periods should consider sticking to bottled water. UK nationals are entitled to a refund on emergency hospital treatment under a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Greece, and a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be taken on holiday for this purpose. Despite this, all visitors are advised to take out medical insurance. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those arriving from infected areas. Bird flu was detected in swans in northern Greece in February 2006, but stringent measures have been taken to contain the outbreak; no human infections have been reported. The risk to people is believed to be very low, but visitors are advised to avoid any contact with caged, wild or domestic birds, and to ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked as a precaution.
Tipping: The tip is often included in the bill in a restaurant. If not, leave between 10 to 15 percent. For drinks at cafes, round the bill up to the nearest euro. Taxis expect change as do cloak room attendants and porters.
Safety: There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and visitors are urged to be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. The bombs that exploded in central Athens outside a police station on 5 May 2004 were not targeted at tourists, but visitors could be caught up accidentally in such incidents. Greece is otherwise considered a safe destination, but the height of the tourist season does usually see an increase in petty theft cases, particularly in crowded areas. Visitors are advised not to carry valuables on them. Violent crime is infrequent, but there have been incidents on some Greek islands and lone visitors are advised not to accept lifts from strangers.
Communications: The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are often surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation) offices for local and international calls. Calls can also be made from public card phone booths and cards can be bought from kiosks or OTE offices. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts and are cheaper than accessing the Internet from hotels. |
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ABTA & ATOL protection is included on all holidays |
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