Kos Island
- Greece
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Kos Island
Sandy beaches, turquoise waters, lush vegetation, ancient and medieval monuments, tree-lined wide roads, large squares, parks, a superb city plan and an extensive bicycle-only routes network are the distinctive characteristics of the third largest island of the Dodecanese, Kos! The island’s trademark is its medieval castle (Nerantziá Castle) situated at the entrance of the port. Wander along the impressive avenue with the Palm Trees, or stroll around famous squares like Platánou Square and Elefthería Square and admire legendary buildings, remains of the Italian rule. Interested in history? Pay a visit to the ancient city of Kos and observe important archaeological finds dating back to the 4th century.
Did you actually know that you can sit under the plane tree where Hippocrates himself, the Father of Medicine, used to teach his students and examine his patients? The plane tree must be over 2,500 years old, and it is in fact the oldest in Europe! Don’t miss the 4th century Asclipiion, the Antimáhia 15th century castle with its imposing battle tower, as well as one of the most scenic villages of Kos with a distinctive traditional character, Ziá nestled amongst a dense cedar forest.
Suggested Tours
Tour 1: Island Tours
The island tour excursion, which covers all the main villages and the most important monuments on the island of Kos, starts from the Hippocrates’ Plane tree, where, according to the legend, the father of modern Medicine, Hippocrates, taught and practiced medicine. This is considered to be the oldest tree in Europe. Just in front of the Plane Tree is the medieval Castle, which was built in 1478 by the Knights of St John. The next visit is to the Asclepeion of Kos, the Temple dedicated to the God of Health in ancient Greece, Asclepius. The guided tour in Asclepeion takes about an hour, and the clients have time to admire the nice view and to take some photos.
After Asclepeion the tour will continue to the village of Zia, which is situated in the highest point of the mountain Dikeos. In Zia there will be time for a short coffee break, for shopping in the small traditional shops and for a walk through the village. Continuing the tour, the clients will visit the traditional house of Kos in the village of Antimachia, which is situated in the middle of the island, as well as the windmill, which is still in use. On the way south the tour proceeds to the village of Kefalos, the southern point of Kos, where there will be time to swim and to have lunch in one of the taverns by the sea.
On the way back after lunch, the tour will stop in a honey factory where a local family from Kefalos will explain how the local honey production is made and free time for shopping. It will be the last stop before returning to the hotels around 17.00.
- Kos, Greece
Tour 2: Three Islands Cruise
The cruise to the Islands of Kalymnos, Plati, and Pserimos takes place on a traditional wooden boat (kaiki) and begins from Kos Harbour, at approximately 09:30 – 10:00 hrs.
The first island of this cruise is Kalymnos, the world-known “sponge island”. After the arrival, clients are given one hour in which to visit the sponge warehouse and to walk through the small streets around the harbor.
Leaving Kalymnos, the boat sails on to the next destination; the small island of Plati, which has a population of 2! The crew prepares a B.B.Q, either on the boat or on the beach, while the group enjoys a swim in the crystal clear waters.
The last island of this cruise is Pserimos, a rocky island with a white, sandy beach, and small, friendly traditional cafes.
The kaiki departs from Pserimos at approximately 16:00 – 16:30, and the “three islands cruise” ends at Kos harbour at about 17:30-18:00h.
- Kalymnos, Municipality of Kalymnos, Greece