Welcome to Visit-the-World's Kos section ...

Visit Kos

Kos is one of the many beautiful, sun-blessed Greek Islands. In fact, it is the second largest of the Dodecanese Islands [Rhodes is the largest], three
miles off the coast of Turkey, opposite the popular Turkish resort of Bodrum.

Kos is 27 miles long and mostly under 6 miles wide. Of a population of around 18,000, about 8000 live in the capital, Kos Town, at the eastern end of the island.

Romans, Egyptians,Venetians, Ottoman Turks, Saracens and the Knights of St John, have all left their mark on this ancient port.The most important historic remains are the Roman baths; a gymnasium and stadium; a Roman theatre and villa and the Temple of Dionysos.

The harbour at Kos Town, which is almost perfectly circular, is dominated by the still impressive 15th Century Castle of the Knights. The Dodecanese Islands [Dhodhekanisos in Greek] were in the front line during the Crusades and still mark the boundary between the Christian and Islamic worlds, since Muslim Turkey is so close.

Modern Kos is an interesting mix of modern and historic. Minarets, towers and domed mosques share the skyline with newer tourist developments.

The harbour is a particularly relaxing area with colourful, traditional  fishing-boats alongside smart, new, very expensive yachts.

After dark, the waterfront is awash with the bright lights of the tavernas and restaurants and cacophonous with the music of numerous bars and
discotheques.

Kos Town and its sea-side suburbs, Lambi and Psalidi, to the north and
south, respectively, offer a wide choice of over 80 hotels.

Kardamena, 16 miles from Kos Town, is in the middle of the hotter, less-
breezy south coast. It is a lively, vibrant holiday resort, built around an
existing fishing village and is very suitable for youthful tourists, who flock
here in high summer.

White-washed Kefalos is 24 miles from Kos Town and at the opposite, or
western, end of the island. It retains a great deal of rustic charm, and is one of the quieter resorts on the island. It is just inland of Kamari, which is spread out along a beautiful bay, with rocky headlands and tiny islets.

Mastihari is halfway along the breezier north coast. It has grown rapidly
from being a  fishing hamlet, since a new port was built some years ago.

Tingaki, 7 miles from Kos Town is another north coast beach resort that
has expanded rapidly in recent years. Cooling north coast breezes can
intensify to bracing wind.

If you feel like a change from the island, you can  take a day trip by ferry to one of the neighbouring islands of Kalymnos, Patmos or Leros, or even to the volcanic island of Nissyros. Greek islands are so plentiful and close together, that island-hopping on day trips, via ferry, is no problem; just like hopping on a bus elsewhere!!