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Kos, Greece

Introduction to the Island of Medicine

The island of Hippocrates has fallen on hard times lately. Kos is one of the most attractive and interesting islands in the Aegean and for that reason it was one of the first to attract travelers who were looking for beautiful sandy beaches and a mild climate. The island was large enough to handle the gradually accelerating flow of tourists and the locals built bigger and more luxurious hotels, more restaurants, discos, bars and gift shops to go along with the natural beauty of the island. These were used by large package tour companies which sent people in droves from Scandinavia and Northern Europe so that it was hard to get a room in July or August if you were traveling on your own. All the rooms were booked by the tour companies. Then, inexplicably they pulled the plug. According to hotel owners not only did the major tour companies stop booking the hotels but when travelers requested the island they were told it was booked solid and sent elsewhere. The hotels were not booked solid. They were empty and the people whose lives depended upon tourism were desperate for answers and a solution.

Kos is not the first island that has been hit by an unofficial boycott by the large tour companies. There are several explanations for why these occur. Sometimes the tour companies become tired of negotiating prices with the hotels every year so they organize a boycott which accomplishes one or two things. First of all it shows the hotel owners who is the boss and how dependent they are on the tour companies and after a year of desperation they are ready to agree to more favorable terms for the tour companies. This can also cause mass bankruptcies and the tour companies can buy coveted hotels from the banks for next to nothing. Another reason could be that the tour companies decide they want to make more of a profit and send their customers somewhere they pay less for the hotels. A client comes in to book his holiday on a Greek island and winds up in Tunisia or Turkey. For some people who are just looking for sea and sun they will be happy in Timbuktu if it has a beach and a fast-food joint nearby. But someone looking for a holiday on a Greek Island should not be coerced into an entirely different country, regardless of that countries attributes if it is just to put more money in the hands of the tour companies which after all are just big soulless corporations.

This is bad news for the people of Kos who built their beautiful hotels with the expectation that they would stay full forever. But it is good news for the traveler who wants to see a beautiful Greek island, famous for its history and fantastic beaches, because they can stay in some pretty nice hotels at near bargain prices and won 't be trampled by the tourist hordes. Maybe this is a second chance for Kos.

Because of the close association of Kos and the birth of Medicine, it is a popular place for conventions of Doctors and Healers and the facilities of the hotels enable the island to handle crowds of any size.

History of Kos

Kos is a long narrow island which is relatively flat, fertile with lots of water and is the third largest in the Dodecanese chain which hugs the coast of Asia Minor. While the interior of the island is agricultural, with many people relying on farming it is the archaeology and history which originally attracted visitors and the beaches which turned it into one of the most popular islands in Greece. Kos was the birthplace of Hippocrates , the father of medicine who lived on the island in the fourth century. It was after his death that the people of Kos built the Aesclepeion, named for the God Aesclepios, which became a hospital that was known throughout the Greek world and spread the healing methods of Hippocrates. Doctors today still take the Hippocratic oath and tourists still visit the ruins of the Asklepeion. The city of Kos was founded in 366 BC and was quite prosperous because of its location close to the shores of Asia Minor. It was devastated by an earthquake in the 6th century BC, conquered by Alexander the Great, and then fell under the protection of Ptolemy II of Egypt who was born on Kos and once again prospered. The Romans took over the island in 130 BC. It became wealthy again in the Byzantine period. In 1315 the Knights of Saint John who were based in Rhodes built the large fortress which still stands at the entrance of the harbor, using debris from the ancient town that was left over from the earthquake. In 1522 the Ottoman Turks took both Rhodes and Kos and remained in control for four hundred years until the Italians took it in 1912 as the Ottoman Empire was collapsing. In 1933 there was another earthquake which destroyed the town. Kos did not become a part of Greece until 1948. From the seventies the island saw the influx of tourists that turned farms and fields into luxury hotels with swimming pools and tennis courts, overlooking white sandy beaches and turquoise seas.

The City of Kos

The city of Kos is located on the north-east coast of the island, close to Asia Minor, another major selling point for the island since Bodrun is one of the most popular and exciting destinations in Turkey and many people choose Kos as their Greek island destination because of it's proximity. Due to the last earthquake much of Kos is either ancient or modern, nevertheless it is an attractive town with large avenues lined with palm trees, squares shaded by platanos and pines, and lush gardens everywhere. The Castle of the Knights of Saint John, with it's double wall and moat dominates the harbor. The castle is linked by a bridge to the square where Hippocrates Platanos tree stands where he supposedly used to teach (though that would make the tree well over two thousand years old, a long time even for a Platanos). Across the street is the Mosque of Gazi Hasan and it's minaret, from the eighteenth century, well preserved though one must wonder what Allah thinks about the tourist shops on the ground floor. South of the harbor are the ruins of the ancient agora with the restored columns of the 4th Century BC Temple of Aphrodite. Further south down Vasileos Pavlou street are the Casa Romana, a third century Roman Villa, the ruins of the Temple of Dionysos, the third century mosaics from the House of Europa and the restored third century Odeon. The Archaeological Museum is in Platia Eleftherias, the attractive main square which borders the ancient agora on Vassileos Pavlou about two blocks up from the harbor road of Akti Kountouroti.

There are a number of restaurants and cafes on the central waterfront and as is the case in most islands, those places on choice real estate are generally the most expensive and not always the best. Of course if your purpose is to drink coffee or something cold and take in the scenery this won't matter so just find somewhere to park yourself with the best view. If you are looking for good food and ambiance then wander around the streets of Kos town and look for restaurants like Taverna Hirodion, Olympiada, Filoxenia, Hellas, Nick the Fisherman, Ambavros, Petrino and Never On Sunday, all recommended by the highly trustworthy Lonely Planet Guide to Greece. The Cafe Aenaos and the Central Cafe are for young locals and tourists and most nightlife can be found on Diakon and Nafklirou streets. There are three discos, two of which (Heaven and Calua) have swimming pools. The Fashion Club is air-conditioned. There is also an outdoor cinema called the Orfeus open in the summer on Vasileos Georgiou which shows mostly English language films as do most movie theaters in Greece (or the world I imagine).

The ruins of the Askelepeion are about 4 kilometers south-west of town on a pine tree covered hill with a beautiful view of Kos and the Turkish coast. Hippocrates was the first doctor with a rational approach to diagnosis and healing and his center was full of people coming for treatment or to learn his methods which spread around the world. The center closed in 554 AD. The ruins occupy several levels which are connected by stairs and feature the 4th Century Temple to Aesclepios, another temple from the 1st Century and the 3rd Century Temple of Apollo as well as various other buildings of the ancient healing center. The site is easy to reach on foot or by bus or taxi, passing through the Turkish village of Platanos with its mosque, Turkish and Jewish cemeteries and the Avrup Taverna which serves traditional food from Greece and Turkey.

Around the Island of Kos

Most of the beaches close to Kos town were the crowded, 'beach chair and umbrellas' variety. With the slowdown in the island's tourism it remains to be seen how crowded they will be but it is likely they won't be too bad and perhaps satisfying to those who don't want to be overwhelmed by crowds but still like to do a little people-watching with their bathing. Lampi beach is the closest good quality beach, about four kilometers north of the city. Beyond that is Tigaki which is long, sandy and great for windsurfing and Marmari which is a little less crowded. West of town are the beaches of Psalidi, Agios Fokas and Thermes with it's hot medicinal springs for treating rheumatism and arthritis. These hot springs flow into the sea and make it warmer than other beaches on the island.
The town of Kardamena is the second most popular resort on the island after Kos town and has a long attractive beach that in days past was packed with tourists. During the summer there are excursions boats from here to the island of Nisyros. The town of Mastihari is a port with a sandy beach that has excursion boats to the islands of Kalymnos and Pserimos as well as some inexpensive hotels and decent restaurants.

On the southwest end of the island, as far as you can get from Kos town, is the bay of Kefalos, five kilometers of sand and pebble beaches including Agios Stefanos with it's small island of Kastri that you can swim to, and the ruins of a fifth century basilica. (There is also an enormous Club Med). Nearby is Paradise Beach which is off the main road. Above the bay is the village of Kefalos, the southernmost village on Kos with a pleasant platia and few tourist shops. Nearby is the ancient remains of Astypalaia, not to be confused with the island of the same name. This was the capital of the island in the fifth century BC. Magic Beach, between Kefalos and Antimahia is the least developed beach in the area. Beyond Kefalos is the most remote area of Kos. The Monastery of Agiou Theologou is famous for its sunsets, it's beach and rough sea. The taverna on the beach rents out body boards for those adventurous enough to have come this far.

The Dikeos mountain range on the southeast coast of the island is covered in pine trees and is home to several villages where few tourists go and you can still see people leading lives based on tradition and agriculture as well as some towns that have embraced tourism but are no less attractive. The ruins of the castle and the medieval village of Pyli is between modern Pyli and the village of Amaniou. The villages of Asfendiou (Agios Dimitrios, Asomatos, Lagoudi, Zia and Evangelistria) are picturesque with whitewashed houses and gardens as well as spectacular views and historical churches. Near the village of Antimacheia is the airport and a Venetian Fortress.

Kos International Film festival: First week of September

Kos International Health Film Festival Ippokratis is a 5 day festival for members of the International Health community, artists and the general audience to view, discuss and appreciate creative audiovisual works, on health and prevention. It is the only festival of its kind. The  festival is a competition festival and will screen current production films on health issues, on human beings and on theme films from all over the world, which will compete for the prizes of the festival. The directors of the winning films will receive the Golden Ippokratis, the Silver Ippokratis and the Bronze Ippokratis respectfully. The films will be judged by international jury committees. There will be Special Tributes to health issues with well known feature films and documentaries by famous directors. For more information contact Lucia Rikaki at info@healthfilmfestival.gr or see the screening schedule for 2009

Practical Information for Travelers to Kos

General Info

There are car, moped,motorbike and bicycle rental places everywhere. You need a valid license from your home country to rent everything but a bicycle. Be careful on mopeds and if you are in a car watch out for mopeds. There are lots of injuries of tourists every year and even a few fatalities. Don't drive drunk if you can help it. There are taxi cabs available in town and from your hotel. Some hotels have shuttle buses. There is also a pretty good local bus system which will enable you to get pretty much anywhere you want to go on the island.

Like any island with tourists there are internet cafes and computer centers where you can receive and send e-mail and even use the web to get information on this island or the next. The Del Mare Internet Cafe is at 4 Megalou Alexandrou and the Status is at 55 Navarinou.
Hotels charge a lot for calls, especially overseas so use the OTE at Vyronos 6.
There are plenty of ATM machines, two Laundromats, a hospital and a tourist information office at Vassileos Georgiou. Lots of shops and there should be nothing you can't find including pampers, baby wipes and even Pringles.

Fantasy Travel offers Kos in their section on island hopping though not in combination with other islands. Most likely you can work with them to visit Kos and Rhodes since the two islands have daily connections. See www.fantasytravelofgreece.com

How to Get to and from Kos

There are ferries from Piraeus that leave daily usually in the afternoon. The islands on the same route as Kos are Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos and Rhodes. These islands can be reached daily from Kos. There are occasionally boats to Syros and to Samos and Thessaloniki. There are daily boats to Bodrun in Turkey leaving at 8:30 each morning and returning at 4 in the afternoon. You can get info at one of the local agencies in the port. In the summer you can take the hydrofoil to Rhodes, Samos, Ikaria and Fourni. There are excursion boats which go to various beaches on the island as well as to the islands of Kalymnos, Pserimos, Plati, Nisyros and Giali. There are three flights a day between Athens and Kos. You can take a taxi to the airport or the Olympic Airways bus leaves the Kos office two hours before the flight. You can find ferry schedules from Pireaus to Kos at www.athensguide.com/greek-island-ferry-schedules

Where to Stay

There are hotels of all categories in Kos town and there is also plenty of variety in the beach resort towns of Mastihari, Kamari and Kefalos. In the past most of these places were monopolized by the tour companies and finding a room in July and August was difficult but things have changed. The major choice the traveler to any island has to make is whether he wants to stay in town and go to the beaches in the day and be close to home for the nightlife or whether he wants to stay on the beach and go to town at night. The good news is that you can have your choice and you can probably stay in a really nice hotel on a beach close to town for a very good rate. For assistance in deciding and booking see www.hotelsofgreece.com where you can read reviews of hotels and book them through agencies. I recommend booking with reliable travel agencies in Athens rather then directly with the hotels since it will cost the same and the travel agent can help you with other aspects of your trip like ferry or airplane tickets, hotel in Athens and any snafus that occasionally happen in the islands (missed or canceled flights, ferries or lost bookings). Not to mention they are a valuable resource that can answer your questions and help you create the itinerary and find the hotel that is best suited to you. For hostels and very cheap accommodation see www.greecetravel.com/youth-hostels

Hotels in Kos

With its own private beach, this 5-star water paradise features state-of-the-art business and leisure facilities, all set within luxuriant extensive lawns that afford plenty of sunbathing areas.
A water wonderland effect is created by a series of free-form pools linked by rivers. The spacious hotel embraces the gentle hillside and quiet beach area of Psalidi overlooking the sparkling Aegean.
There are plenty of sports and entertainment facilities at the hotel and for those who relish a lively nightlife, Kos Town is a mere 4 kilometres away. After a game of tennis with your own personal coach, rejuvenate those muscles with a massage in our spa, offering a range of treatments of therapies. Wired internet is available in public areas and costs EUR 5.00 per hour.

Overlooking its private beach, the luxurious Helona Resort offers beautiful pool areas, 2 Jacuzzis, children’s entertainment and a range of beauty and wellness treatments, with magnificent views to the sea.
Helona Resort offers a peaceful and luxurious retreat away from the more tourist areas of Kos. Enjoy beautiful views to Nissyros Island and the Aegean Sea from the private beach, whilst relaxing on complimentary towels and sun beds.
Helona Resort boasts an elegant combination of Italian and Aegean architecture to create a stylish holiday retreat. Relax in the comfort of your well-appointed room and watch a DVD.
Relax in the Jacuzzi or around one of the swimming pools or man-made lagoons. The children can join in the organised fun at Helona Resort’s mini club while you enjoy an aromatherapy massage or get pampered at the beauty salon.
After working up an appetite, enjoy delicious Greek and international cuisine as part of the half-board service. There are 3 bars to choose from, each with a different ambience, providing plenty of on-site entertainment for all the family. A public bus service also runs from the resort to Kardamena Village. Wireless internet is available in public areas and costs EUR 5.00 per hour.

This small complex is the perfect hideaway for those who want to unwind and relax and is walking distance from the unspoilt Helona Beach. Ideally located on the south-east coast of Kos, in a small valley surrounded by low hills, Lakitira Suites makes a fine base from which to explore the rest of the island. The nearby village of Kardamena is only 3 km away. You can hire a car or a bike from the hotel and discover the island at your own pace. Back at the hotel, Lakitira Suites has a multi-purpose sports area for guests who want to play tennis, volleyball or mini soccer. Then at the end of a busy day you can retire to your 5-star standard accommodation, elegantly decorated with top quality furniture and materials to provide lots of space for you to feel comfortable and relaxed. Wireless internet is available in public areas and costs EUR 5.00 per hour.

Located on the east coast of the beautiful island of Kos, separated from the beach just from the coast road alone (approx. 200M) and conveniently located only 3km from Kos town, Kipriotis Hippocrates Hotel is a charmed 4* hotel that offers relaxation in a great holiday environment.
Enjoy the lovely scenery in the region of Psalidi while sunbathing around the nice outdoor swimming pool, that provides a separate childrens pool, a sun terrace with sun loungers and parasols (free by the pool, extra charge on the beach) and a pool snack bar.
Kipriotis Hippocrates Hotel is surrounded by well-kept gardens and is ideal for leisure travellers and families that enjoy a casual and familiar atmosphere.
The buffet restaurant in the Kipriotis Hippocrates Hotel serves a variety of international and Mediterranean dishes.

Excellently located in the centre of Kos and just 200 metres from the harbour, the Alexandra Hotel is the highest building in Kos, offering stunning views and quality leisure facilities.
Guests can enjoy a tasty buffet breakfast before relaxing around the lovely pool area. Alexandra Hotel provides excellent conference facilities for all types of business functions. After a day of meetings or sightseeing, guests can burn off some energy in Alexandra’s well-equipped fitness room. Those who need to further relax can enjoy some time in the sauna, before resting in their spacious suite.
Guests can take a leisurely stroll from Alexandra Hotel to the nearby Kazouli Square and the archaeological museum. There are also plenty of local shops and taverns within walking distance and organised beaches are just 400 metres away. Wireless internet is available in public areas and costs EUR 5.00 per 24 hours.

Overlooking Psalidi Beach, this beautiful resort offers a wide variety of accommodation and entertainment for all the family and offers free transport to the beach and easy access to Kos.
Choose from a variety of spacious studios and apartments at Iberostar Panorama Family Resort. Each one offers beautiful sea views and modern amenities, including satellite TV.
During the day, you can enjoy taking refreshing dips in one of the freshwater swimming pools. Children will love the waterslides and the entertainment provided for them by Panorama Family’s animation team.
Challenge the family to a game of tennis on one of the 4 large tennis courts. Explore the depths of the sea with some scuba diving sessions at Psalidi Beach. Or simply relax on the sun loungers and enjoy your beautiful setting and stunning views of the Aegean Sea.
Iberostar Panorama Family is just 3 km from Kos’ centre and there is a bus stop very close to the hotel, allowing you to easily access this vibrant town.
In the evening, you can also enjoy some excellent live entertainment shows, courtesy of the friendly team at Iberostar Panorama Family Resort. Wired internet is available in public areas and charges are applicable.

Triton Hotel is located directly across the road from the main beach in the centre of Kos town and next door to a peaceful park.
Triton has magnificent sea views and is well known for its warm hospitality and staff, who will make you feel right at home.
It is a friendly, family-run business, in an excellent location for those who prefer to be in the city centre and still want to enjoy the lovely beaches of Kos Town.
Internet via modem is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge. Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel and is free of charge.

Gaia Garden is a charming, down-to-earth hotel located in Lambi, a quiet area of Kos Town.
It consists of a main house surrounded by several bungalows, all nestling in the beautiful gardens created by the owners.
Guests of Gaia Garden have the pleasure of enjoying this palm-filled oasis from the comfort of their own patios.
The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, as well as laptops for rent. Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel and is free of charge.

Captain's Hotel

Captain's Hotel is centrally located in Kos town, approximately a 5 minute walk from the harbour and about the same distance from Kos Town beach.
All rooms are comfortable, equipped with all modern amenities that guarantee a pleasant, comfortable stay.
Guests may relax by the swimming pool and enjoy the sun in the sun terrace.
The hotel is within easy reach from the shops, bars, restaurants and the Old Town.
Wireless internet is available in public areas and is free of charge.

Located 800 metres away from the nearest sandy beach, this hotel is also just 400 metres away from the nearest bus station and 900 metres away from Kos city centre.
Leonidas Hotel and Studios is the most popular 2-star hotel on Kos Island and was fully-renovated in October 2007. Our hotel combines the benefits of a quiet location and the convenience of reaching the much-frequented roads and squares of the island in just a few minutes. We offer a very warm and friendly atmosphere that quickly makes you feel at home.
Between swims or sightseeing tours, you can entertain yourselves at the bar and enjoy delicious fruit cocktails. A rich buffet breakfast is served every morning from 08:00 until 09:30 in the breakfast room.
Wireless internet is available in public areas and is free of charge.Wired internet is available in public areas and costs EUR 3.00 per hour.

Jonathan Studio Apartments

For over 15 years, Jonathan Apartments have welcomed guests to a beautiful environment, offering you relaxation right next to the beach of Tigaki, on the unique island of Kos.
Ideally situated, we make a fine base from which to explore the rest of the island. The apartments are only 35 metres from the beach. Tigaki is the first seaside village you will meet when leaving the town of Kos. There you will find several beaches with crystal blue waters and warm white sand. In the centre of Tigaki, there are also bars, restaurants and supermarkets.
Tigaki itself offers a great location, 10 minutes by car from the centre of Kos, 15 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the port. From Kos Port there are ferries that visit other Greek Islands and Turkey.

Bristol Apartments

These Studio Apartments are located in the centre of Kos town, a small walk away from the main beach and popular landmarks.
The Bristol Apartments offer a comfortable stay with your private bathroom, kitchen facilities and balcony.
The Bristol Apartments are a 2-minute walk from the small harbour, where you can take local excursions by boat. The town’s marketplace is also nearby.
The Bristol Apartments are a 30-minute drive from the Ippokrates International Airport. The accommodation is conveniently situated in a quiet setting. Kos is a beautiful coastal town, offering a diversity of services and activities to enjoy a delightful holiday.

Panorama Studios

Occupying a prime beachfront location, the Panorama Studios is a small family-run complex overlooking the lovely sandy beach of Mastihari.
The property consists of just 8 open-plan studios and accommodation. Each studio features a sleeping area with twin beds, an en-suite shower room, a kitchenette plus a balcony. The apartments are more spacious in size and feature separate sleeping and living areas.
The Panorama Studios is located in the quiet fishing village of Mastihari. The pretty harbour is just a few minutes walk away and there are numerous tavernas and restaurants within the village. Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel and charges are applicable.

You can find more hotels in Kos with, photos, descriptions and maps at Booking.com or Hotelsofgreece.com

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