The city of Kos is the capital of the "crab" island. It is known that this particular arthropod was minted on the coins of the island. So the locals know what it's like to live like a "galley crab".

The city is located near the coast of Turkey. On a clear morning, you can see how the neighboring country wakes up. After the terrible earthquake of 1933, Kos was actually rebuilt. But every cloud has a silver lining - after the earthquake, so many ancient Greek artifacts were found in the ruins!

How to get there

The important question here is how to get to the island. Because from transport hubs you can then easily get to the city, for example, by taxi. For example, Hippocrates Airport is located 25 kilometers from the capital of the island. From Moscow they usually get this way - a flight to Athens or Thessaloniki, and from there - to Kos. It turns out that three capitals are involved in the flight: Russia, Greece and the islands. Everything about everything takes a little more than 4 hours of a clean journey.

You can also get to the island by ferry from the following ports: Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Piraeus, Samos. Sometimes these are not direct flights, but with stops in other cities.

Find flights to Kos City (nearest airport to Kos City)

Transport

Kos is a small town, the best way to get around is on foot. Moreover, all the attractions are located close to each other.

For tourists, special city buses and trams run around the city. Green trams are designed for a sightseeing tour of the city, blue trams go to archaeological site Asklepion. On average, each tram runs 20 minutes.

Many hotels offer bike and motorbike rentals. The price per day will be about 5 EUR.

The beaches of Kos

The island is famous for its cleanest sandy beaches, but the sand did not reach the capital of Kos. On the local coast - large pebbles. But the water is clear, like dew in the morning, when Turkey is waking up.

The main city beach is like an anthill: it is constantly packed with people who rush back and forth with umbrellas and sun loungers. If you want to get to a quieter place - go to the beaches in the neighborhood, which are located 5-10 kilometers from the city. There you will ride on a sailboat, and jump on the waves on a “banana”, and stand on water skis.

Views of the capital Kos

The shops

On the island, it is best to shop in the capital. There are many souvenir shops in the city - they stand in the old town and along the waterfront. The market in the city center sells hot spices and pure olive oil.

The main area for shopping is the place between Eleftherios Square and the ancient Nymphion. As gifts, tourists most often choose clothes, jewelry and leather goods.

Cuisine, restaurants

Kos is a multinational city where the cultures of different peoples are closely intertwined. This mix also affects the kitchen. The city is very stormy night life. Restaurants offer dishes of Italian, Greek, Chinese and other cuisines. There is nothing better than sitting in a cafe on the coast in the evening and watching the returning yachts and fishing boats.

In the morning, you can refresh yourself with Greek pancakes, try local pizza, or order a large lamb chop, which is great for those who overdid it last night.

Hotels in Kos

Most hotels in the city of Kos collect positive reviews. It is not surprising, because any insignificant trifle that can annoy, pales in front of the nature of the city and the view from the window. Wherever you look - everywhere the sea, under the windows of the pool, and girls, girls, girls.

Local hotels offer themselves profitably and tastefully. There are rooms from 3 to 5 "stars", if you want - rent a hotel house. Lovers of "wild" recreation can live on the beach. Unless, of course, the police close your motel.

The cost of accommodation in a standard hotel is from 1500 to 3000 rubles. Hotels of a higher class charge up to 5000 rubles per night. This is, in general, a small amount for the list of services that you can receive.

4 things to do in Kos town

1. Take a ride on a yacht - rental points are located in ports. If you documented that you know how to operate a ship, then go on a trip on your own. Otherwise, you will have to pay for the services of the team.
2. Drinking retsina or ouzo are local alcoholic drinks. National Greek alcohol can be found only in wine glasses. The choice is great. Under a bottle of strong or red dry, stories about the history of the island go well.
3. Eating barbecue is another gastronomic must. Barbecue on Kos is cooked with great responsibility. The dish is served with vegetables and light wine. Sometimes you can order takeaway.
4. Do not forget about the rules of decency - the Greeks really do not like brawlers, although sometimes they themselves are not averse to organizing a manifestation. But in public places it is better not to buzz, otherwise you will get a fine or even an arrest.

Entertainment and attractions of Kos

Many of the ancient antiquities of Kos surfaced after the city was destroyed in an earthquake.

ancient agora

Ancient Agora is a collection of ruins different eras. They were found after the earthquake and restored by the Italians, who occupied the city in the 30s of the last century. At least some use was from the invaders.

The greatest attention is attracted by the remains of the temple of Hercules (3rd century BC), the Forum gallery (3rd century BC), the ruins of the temple of Aphrodite. By the way, a Christian basilica from the 5th century BC was found nearby.

Castle of the Knights of St. John

You can get to this castle through the bridge that connects the fortress with the city. The fortress, built in the 15th century, is protected by double walls and a moat. Outlandish figures and the coat of arms of the Grand Master of the order are depicted on the gates of the fortress.

The castle houses fragments of ancient columns and statues that survived the earthquake. Standing on the castle wall, you can see almost all the streets, the embankment and - hello again! coast of Turkey.

ancient ruins

The ruins are neatly collected on Grigoriou Street. There are columns, Mycenaean buildings, Roman houses with mosaics telling about lion hunting and gladiator fights. Among the ruins stands out a small antique theater- with marble seats for VIPs and limestone slabs for everyone else.

The highlight of the program is the Roman house Casa Romana. It has 26 rooms, 3 swimming pools, a painted hotel and a mosaic floor.

Archaeological Museum

It is located in the city center on Eleutherias Square. Here is a collection of exhibits from the period of the Hellenes and Romans. For example, statues of Aphrodite, Hippocrates, Dionysus, Satyr, Pan, mosaics and giant Roman statues.

Aesculapia

Aesculapia is an ancient medical clinic. It is located near Kos. It was here that Hippocrates created the school of medicine. Every summer, the Hippocratic Oath is recited here in ancient Greek.

• Where to stay: For those who want everything from a vacation at once, it makes sense to go to Rhodes: there are gorgeous beaches, an excellent “excursion” and a lot of entertainment, but at the same time there are many sparsely populated places. Zest

The island of Kos is located in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea, not far from the coast of Turkey and belongs to the Dodecanese archipelago. Total area - 293.3 sq. km, dimensions 45x11 km. The population is 31,000 people. The capital bears the same name - the city of Kos.

Holidays on the island of Kos attract those tourists who want not only to swim, but also to enjoy the magnificent nature. And it is there in abundance, not without reason it was nicknamed the "Garden of the Aegean Sea" for its numerous green parks. In addition, there are great opportunities for lovers of sights and active rest(including at night). Numerous discos, bars and clubs will not let you get bored even for a minute (although not all beaches have them). From water activities - motorcycles, skiing, windsurfing, yachting, diving (although interesting places not so much for snorkeling).

As souvenirs, tourists bring glass and wood crafts, natural sea sponges, embroidery and textiles from here.

Each resort town has its own characteristics and, in addition to the beach, is suitable for various types of recreation: youth, calm, sports, family, sightseeing.

Kos is one of the most popular resorts in Greece; every year about 600,000 tourists come here to relax and see the sights.

The island is also famous for the fact that Hippocrates, the founder of medicine, was born and lived here.

Short story

The island of Kos is mentioned in the legends of ancient Greece.

In the XI century BC. he is captured by the Dorians. In 366 BC the city of Kos is laid.

In 1204, after the capture of Constantinople by the crusaders, it falls under the rule of the Venetians, and after 200 years passes to Turkey. Ottoman Empire he ruled for 400 years, until in 1912 he came under the control of Italy.

Finally, in 1947, the island finally passes to Greece.

Currently, Kos is a purely touristic place, where all conditions are provided for a comfortable stay and excursions.

Kos island on the map of Greece

How to get to Kos

Kos is connected by ferry to the mainland and several nearby islands. The island has, which is located 27 km from the capital, in the village of Antimachia. There are no regular direct flights to Kos from Russia, Ukraine and other CIS countries, so you can only get there with a transfer in Athens. In the summer season, charters are launched from Moscow, St. Petersburg and some Russian cities. There are several local direct flights to Kos from Athens, Kalymnos, Thessaloniki. The main carriers are Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air.

Cheap flights to Kos

You can buy air tickets as profitably as possible with the help of special search engines that collect data from all airlines.

You can get from the airport to the city by bus, but the stop is located outside the territory of the airport, so you have to look for it. If you need to get directly to the hotel, then there is no better option than a taxi. However, you can order in advance.

Transport

Public transport is represented by buses and taxis. There is also a bicycle rental for 4 - 5 euros per day and ATVs - for 20 euros.

If you want to comfortably move around the island, you can rent a car. It is also possible to get the car keys at the airport.

Attractions

Attractions that are definitely worth a visit on the island of Kos:

• temple of the god-healer - Asklepion,
• John's fortress
• Mosque Hadji Hassan,
• Plane tree of Hippocrates,
• Greco-Roman quarter,
• Agora,
• Archaeological Museum.

Every year at the beginning of August, the days of honey, wine and fish are celebrated on the island.

Tours are organized to many attractions on Kos, which are sold in many travel agencies around the island.

Resorts and beaches

Of course, the main attraction for tourists is the beaches of Kos. There are a lot of them here and each has its own characteristics, ranging from the color of the sand and length to the number of vacationers.

The main resorts: Kefalos, Kardamena, Marmari, Mastichari, Antimachia, Psalidi, Agios Fokas.

Kefalos is one of the most beautiful places on the island of Kos, there are many interesting ancient sights.

Kardamena has a 3 km coastline, next to which there are numerous bars, clubs and restaurants. This is the perfect place for the youth to hang out.

Most of the beaches of Kos are equipped with everything you need: sun loungers, umbrellas, toilets. A set of two sun loungers and an umbrella costs 6-7 euros. If you order something in coastal bars and cafes, then you will get a sun lounger for free.

Climate

The climate of Kos is Mediterranean. From May to October, the thermometer is at + 25 ... + 30 degrees - this the best time to visit, because the rest of the time the water in the sea is quite cool. Excursion rest is possible all year round.

*Weather data provided by Weather 2 Travel.

Hotels

Hotels on Kos have from 2 to 5 stars. Some of them are very comfortable and expensive, but there are enough cheap accommodations. No wonder the resort has the reputation of being the most affordable in terms of prices, and Kefalos is one of the 10 most inexpensive resorts in Europe. Accommodation is also possible in apartments.

Rest in Greece is an opportunity for complete, physical and mental relaxation. Here you will find beautiful nature. The magnificent climate contributes to the fact that the influx of tourists does not end almost all year round. Of course, each visitor has his own goal. Someone wants to sunbathe on the beach, others want to conquer the waves, surf. You can finish the list with agro and ecotourism, that is, visiting national parks and nature reserves. Here you can add alternative types of recreation: mountain and winter. That is, the country can receive tourists all year round. Today we will talk about the island of Kos (Greece). Reviews call it one of the coziest corners in the Aegean. Let's look at what it attracts tourists.

general characteristics

It is not for nothing that the island of Kos is called the "Garden of Eden". If you dream of spending a vacation among a riot of greenery and colors, then this is the place for you. The unique nature and ecology is what all reviews emphasize. The island of Kos (Greece) attracts tourists and a huge number of attractions. And it will allow the youngest and most active to have fun. In general, Greece is a world of harmony and silence, people of all ages come here for this.

Resort regions

There are seven of them, although in fact there are many more. It means that now the conversation is about individual regions, and not about beautiful and attractive places. Now let's take a closer look at each of them so that tourists have a complete idea. Sandy beaches, fantastic beauty of the island, greenery, a huge amount of ancient architecture, all this is an indisputable advantage when choosing a place to stay on the island of Kos (Greece). Feedback Highlight highest quality services at local resorts.

It has a mild climate, most days of the year are sunny. You will definitely be conquered by quiet bays with water silvering in the sun, small chapels saturated with the aromas of citrus trees. You can tell for a long time how the island of Kos (Greece) enchants its tourists. Reviews say that each of the seven regions has its own zest, special and unique. However, you can not torture yourself with doubts for a long time. By choosing any hotel you can walk around the island and see all its sights.

Kardamena

Resort town, cozy and very beautiful. Have you ever played chess on black, volcanic sand? If not, then welcome to the island of Kos (Greece, Kardamena). Reviews of tourists say that here you will find a rich, cultural life. Various championships and competitions are held here. A well-groomed, sandy beach, a gentle entrance to the cleanest sea, a lot of entertainment, all this attracts people.

Travelers explore the monuments with great pleasure ancient architecture. Fans of ancient Greek architecture will definitely find a lot of old, restored buildings if they choose the resort of Kardamena (Kos Island, Greece). Reviews emphasize that this is one of the most successful choices for youth recreation.

Kefalos

And if you are looking for a calm, quiet holiday with your family, is the island of Kos (Greece) right for you? Tourist reviews say that being alone with nature, away from noisy parties, you will do best in Kefalos. No wonder a huge number of tourists come here every year. Developed infrastructure, fantastic beaches, beautiful landscapes and lots of attractions.

The historic center of Kefalos is a great choice for leisurely walks. This is a typical Greek settlement with narrow streets and old stone houses, castle ruins and old windmills. In the coastal part there are a huge number of restaurants, taverns and bars, an ideal place to have a good time in a pleasant company. Among the attractions of Kefalos, I would like to note the folklore museum, as well as the tiny island of Kastri with a charming church.

Peace and quiet in Lampi

Another charming, resort town, which is comfortably located on the outskirts of the capital. This is one of the most beautiful corners of the island of Kos (Greece). Reviews of tourists say that peace is simply in the air here. There are few places where you can find such an amazing world of peace and quiet, peace, which is simply poured around. Harmony, comfort and tranquility, which we lack so much in Everyday life, are regular here.

Lumpy is the best place in the world for windsurfers. Here, water sports are held in high esteem, so the choice will be simply fantastic. And those who wish to travel can visit other groups of islands and spend time interestingly and profitably. Beach holidays here are really the best on the island. Tourists note that crystal clear, blue water and pleasant, they remembered for many years.

marmari

The resort is located 15 km from the capital of the island of Kos. It is quiet, calm, but there are no sights and infrastructure. Marmari beach is the best for surfers. Actually for this reason a large number of tourists visit Greece. Kos Island (photo, tourist reviews confirm a large number of surfers) is great for athletes. Rental points give you the opportunity to take any equipment that interests you. Starting from beach balls and ending with boats and yachts. In addition, there are various water sports schools that will allow you to study a new art quite tolerably during your vacation.

Psalidi

This is a real pearl of the island of Kos (Greece). Reviews of tourists, migrants confirm that the local name, “floating garden”, suits him very well. There is a huge amount of greenery here all year round, and in spring, the abundance of flowering plants makes you dizzy. All summer the wind saves from the heat, and the air is filled with salty-tarry aromas. Wind and sea, what could be better for water sports. In addition to beach activities, here you can go to the hippodrome or take a bike and go around all corners on it. Tourists note that it is best to visit here in early September. The temperature of water and air is very comfortable, and the price of tours is quite affordable.

Hotels for every taste

Guests are always welcome here, as in any tourist area. Guests are offered the best living conditions to win the trust of visitors. Excellent service combined with affordable prices. Moreover, the focus on any visitor, from state employees to the most demanding public, pleases. Let's take a look at some of the hotels on the island of Kos (Greece). Reviews of tourists helped to identify the most visited of them:

Planning a route

It is very convenient that you can make excursions here in all directions. The travel agency works for you every day to make it rich and interesting. Think in advance what to see on the island of Kos (Greece). Reviews with great warmth describe the holidays spent on these sunny shores. The bus station is located in the very center of the island, which makes it easy to get to any hotel.

Movement around the island is carried out by city and suburban buses. You can rent any type of land transport. Based on the reviews, this best view movement around the island, which many enjoy using. The bicycle is the main means of transportation on the island. By the way, be very careful, for walking on bike paths you can be fined. Experienced tourists note that you can relax here no worse than on the more expensive and fashionable Rhodes. Everything is very close here, you do not need to take a car to get to places of interest for tourists.

Attractions

Upon arrival, you will find out that it was here that the father of medicine, Hippocrates, was born. Every year, the center named after him gathers the best doctors from all over the world. Here, on the island, an ancient plane tree grows. Some experts claim that it is already 2000 years old, and under it the ancient doctor taught followers. What other sights has Kos prepared for you:

• Asklepion- this attraction is the first one that tourists meet on the island. These are the ruins of a former temple and hospital. They still look very majestic. It is located in a beautiful place on the island, offering a wonderful view of the sea.
• The castle of the Knights of St. John is a real fortress, which was built to protect against the Turks. There are many ancient buildings on the island, and the castle is no exception. There are tombs and altars, columns and a stone bridge. The interior of the castle suffered, but you can still understand how the knights lived in those days.
• Altar of Dionysus. It is located near the Agora. It has not been preserved in the best way. To be more precise, it was the temple of the god of winemaking. It was built in the shape of the letter "P". It was destroyed by an earthquake, and since no one restored it, it gradually fell into disrepair. There are few surviving fragments of walls and other structures, but they convey the beauty of the temple and the altar.
• Antimachia Fortress- This is one of the best examples of medieval architecture. It is located in the center of the island. It was founded in the early Middle Ages.
• colorful mosques.
• peacock forest. This is one of the most colorful attractions on the island. Hundreds of peacocks live in a stunning coniferous grove. They live here without any restrictions and fences. Birds walk along the edges, spreading their luxurious tails. They are accustomed to the constant influx of tourists, so they calmly take food from their hands.

Experienced tourists recommend not to take excursions from the hotel. It comes out pretty expensive. Moreover, Kos is a very small island. Take a bike and ride around Beautiful places practically free. Also, get some fresh air and recharge your batteries for the whole year ahead.

Excursions to neighboring islands

Nobody canceled the need to see them if you decide to stay on the island of Kos (Greece). Attractions, reviews of which can take up a whole book, will become an adornment of your family album. Excursions to neighboring islands involve visiting temples and monasteries, exploring magnificent beaches and grottoes. Surprisingly, in Greece everything is close by. You will need to find out more about the offers at the tour desk, because. Depending on the season, offers may change. On a separate request, family trips to the Aegean and Mediterranean seas on a boat can be organized.

Instead of a conclusion

The best time to visit the island is the beginning of autumn. Prices for tours are the lowest, the air temperature is comfortable, the days are sunny. Pleasant walks and excursions, excellent hotels, delicious cuisine in restaurants and cafes are waiting for you. If you have never been to Greece, we recommend starting from this small and cozy island. Moreover, during the vacation you can go around all the rest to get an idea of ​​​​Greece as a whole, and possibly choose a place for your next vacation. The island of Kos is small, but very picturesque and cozy. You definitely won't regret your choice.

GOING TO VACATION:

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Weather on Kos by months:

Month	Temperature		Cloudiness	Rainy days / Precipitation	Water temperature in the sea	Number of solar hours per day
	Happy	At night
January	13.9°C	12.6°C	37.2%	9 days (140.2 mm.)	17.7°C	9 a.m. 58m.
February	15.0°C	13.5°C	33.3%	7 days (82.9 mm.)	17.0°C	10 a.m. 51m.
March	16.0°C	14.2°C	26.8%	4 days (57.1 mm.)	16.7°C	11h. 58m.
April	18.7°C	16.2°C	18.8%	2 days (22.8 mm.)	17.5°C	13h. 9m.
May	22.2°C	19.3°C	13.3%	1 day (18.7 mm.)	20.1°C	14h. 8m.
June	26.5°C	22.8°C	6.3%	1 day (7.7 mm.)	23.0°C	14h. 38m.
July	29.8°C	25.3°C	1.5%	-	24.4°C	14h. 23m.
August	30.2°C	25.8°C	2.2%	-	25.7°C	13h. 32m.
September	27.2°C	24.0°C	5.5%	2 days (25.2 mm.)	25.1°C	12h. 25m.
October	22.9°C	20.7°C	12.6%	4 days (44.4 mm.)	22.9°C	11h. 14m.
November	19.4°C	17.7°C	21.5%	5 days (86.2 mm.)	21.1°C	10 a.m. 13m.
December	15.6°C	14.3°C	29.1%	8 days (106.7 mm.)	19.1°C	9 a.m. 41m.

* This table shows average weather data collected over more than three years

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Garden of the Aegean

That's right thanks to beautiful nature one of the islands of Greece in the Aegean Sea is called Kos. We got to it via Athens, but I know that in certain months it is possible to fly there from our country by charter planes. The most unique phenomenon on the island is the black volcanic sand. They say that it is healing and similar in properties to the mud in Saki. They can be rubbed from head to toe and walk like that, winded with air. You can just lie down, the sand perfectly warms up the body. Bubbles sometimes appear on the surface of the water near the shore - these are underwater sulfur springs, creating the effect of a natural jacuzzi. Highly recommend!

When choosing a resort on the island, keep in mind that the sea is much colder in Kefalos, but there are many beautiful and well-groomed beaches, there are water parks in Marmari and Tigaki. We rested in Kardamena. The noise of night discos, restaurants, bars, and many shops open around the clock - what young people need.

On Kos, as in all of Greece, there are ancient ruins and temples on every corner. Also be sure to ride to the active volcano.

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HOLIDAY PRICES:

Prices for holidays in Kos. September 2013.

tour cost

Plane tickets were bought on the Ryanair website. It turned out about 800 euros for two there and back. We also booked a hotel via the Internet - about 750 euros came out for a three-week stay. We took a bus from the airport to the hotel. (Stop near the airport). We flew from Kaunas. (I had to go from Vilnius by car)

Excursion to the volcano cost 35 euros. The tour itself is so-so.

Food and products

Prices for fruit on the island of Kos are much higher than on other Greek islands. At the same time, the quality of fruits is much lower (most often stale). For example, peaches, grapes - 3 euros per kilogram, watermelons - 0.90 euros. Finding a normal supermarket is very difficult. Most often come across shops for tourists. The only good and large supermarket (LIDL) we found on the road from Kefalos to Kos. Only there is a more or less normal selection of pop products at an acceptable price.

Restaurant prices are wild. For some not very high quality fruit cocktail had to pay 6 euros. A Greek salad in a restaurant is at least 15 euros.

Souvenirs and other goods

We looked at how much fur coats cost. Not too stylish, more reminiscent of a standard coat, a fur coat was sold for 2000 euros. In principle, in Lithuania you can buy a much more beautiful and high-quality one for half this price. Jewelry also more expensive than in other places, the quality is so-so. Honey is expensive and of the lowest quality imaginable (Sugar syrup with the smell of herbs). We bought an expensive wax-based cream, it turned out that there was half as much cream there as you might think by looking at the jar. And the cream itself is not very good.

Why is it better to relax in September?

At the end of the warm season, there are usually fewer tourists, the air is fresher and the heat is already leaving. Seasonal fruits are still ripening and the local population is becoming kinder, as we were told.

Family holiday

On Kos you need to drive, walk, not sit still. Always a mobile lifestyle, no bindings to a place. We stayed in random hotels, hostels, once we even tried to spend the night in the car, but we didn’t like it)

What to take with you on vacation?

You need to take sun protection, a good mood and a desire to spend time actively with you. for couch potatoes and lovers exclusively beach holiday it is better to choose larger-scale islands, there are more opportunities to find a hotel for such a pastime. A pair of comfortable sports shoes will not hurt, so that it is comfortable to walk through the ruins, to make long walks. Take a camera, phone, anything with you so that it would not be a shame to be left without beautiful shots later.

Where is the best place to stay?

Based on our experience, it is best in hostels that offer exclusively bed and breakfast. The rest of the time you should not sit in a hotel, it is better to travel and see the sights, sit in restaurants or visit farms. Large hotels look impressive, each with many additional services besides the basic provision of a bed, but it's boring there!

What to do at the resort?

The island is home to many rare animals worth admiring. For the sake of them, they specially go to Kos, because seals have preserved rookeries here, and pink flamingos are beautiful in wildlife, and not in a zoo.

Party life is developed on Kos, you can go to a different club every day. Foamy beach parties, big hangouts for young people - everything is at your disposal. We preferred small bars on the beach where you could listen to live music and sip wine. It is in such places that you can enjoy the spirit of Greece, listen to the hubbub of an incomprehensible conversation on foreign language. To see how a simple Greek family has dinner on the field of the working day.

The excursion program can be considered our entire holiday on the island of Kos. We initially rested in Rhodes, where we left a child with a grandmother and went together to Kos for three days. We arrived on the Ferry, paid as for an excursion program - next time we will be smarter and just take travel tickets. On the spit itself, they took audio guides when visiting the ancient ruins, did not use the services of a guide and moved independently.

Beaches just for every taste. There is even with volcanic sand - black. Interesting landscapes, beautiful sea and sand. I prefer a pebble beach, but for a change, we also stopped at sandy ones. There were so many different impressions, photos - a golden sandy beach, white, black, pebble. Near Kamari we stopped on the beach, which offers a view of the nearest islets. True, the beach is very crowded with tourists and there are practically no free places. It is worth noting that all the beaches on the island provide additional services - rental of sunbeds, towels. But you can find wonderful cozy coves along the way, in which there is not a soul.

What can be bought?

You need to buy local honey, wine. Visit wineries and farms - excellent quality of products and a wonderful price are provided to you. We spent one of the days at the vineyard, talked to its owners, tasted everything we could. happy and satisfied we left there with 5 bottles of wine and local sweets. You can buy a whole wine tour and fall out of reality for a long time - I recommend it to true connoisseurs very informative and tasty.

It is a pity that almost no one produces olive oil on the island. It cannot be brought from Kos - it will be oils from other islands at an inflated price.

About product prices

The average cost of a bottle of Metaxa is from 12-17 euros, Moschato is more expensive - we bought a bottle for 20 euros. Honey depends on the volume, but on average it comes out like buying honey in Russia - about 600 rubles per liter.

Where can you eat?

Food in small taverns and establishments with local cuisine can only be given five. each tavern tries to serve visitors, to make staying in it not only pleasant for taste, but also visually pleasing. everything is stylish, clean and comfortable. Naturally we ate seafood and fresh vegetables. I don’t understand fast food lovers, they can have a bite to eat in any country in the world, why do this if there is an opportunity to try fish and seafood. I note that often in the menu the price is indicated not for the dish, but for its weight, so check in advance. Otherwise, you can get 2 shrimp or fish with a bowl, which is simply impossible for two to eat.

About the quality of food and service

All the waiters are helpful, friendly, sometimes intrusive, but this is the mentality. They don't try for tips, they just work. The food is delicious and fresh, the local Greek cuisine is full of unexpected combinations. be sure to eat vegetables and cheese. At first, I wanted exotic, because vegetables and cheese are part of my daily diet. But there you get unimaginable salads, and soft cheese melts on your tongue.

How much does it cost to eat? About food prices.

On average, dinner on the island of Kos will cost you 13-17 euros per person. lunches and breakfasts are somewhere around 5-7 euros cheaper. the portions are big, no one looks crooked if you order one dish for two and ask for 2 plates and 2 cutlery.

Pros of holidays on Kos

1. Beautiful island

2. You can combine a vacation on Kos with a trip to the nearest islands

3. Variety of beaches

4. acceptable price for the rest

Cons of rest on Kos

A large crowd of people on famous beaches, not always a calm sea. But it is for the sake of it that it is worth going here for boarding.

Is it worth it to rest on Kos?

Definitely yes, but I did not consider Kos as the only place to stay. A couple of days will be enough for sightseeing, and then you need to swim-fly-go further. Travel around the islands, learn the history of one of the most ancient states on the planet!

One evening, our Greek friend Nikos, the owner of the sailing yacht Eolos, called and asked for help to ferry her to the island of Kos.

Every year he rents a yacht to a charter company for the entire summer season. We gladly agreed. Who will refuse a pleasant sailing trip, and even to the island, where we have long dreamed of visiting?

The departure of the Eolos was scheduled for the next morning, and there was very little time left for preparations. While we were getting ready, we began to remember what we know about the island.

General information about the island

Kos is part of a group of twelve, the so-called Dodecanese Islands. Dodecanese means twelve islands in Greek. Kos got its name from the Carian word "kion", which means sheep, as long-haired sheep have been bred on the island for a long time. However, there is another mythological version of its name.

Once Kos was called Merops, and its inhabitants - Meropites, after the name of the king who ruled the island. This name, translated from ancient Greek, means mortal. King Merops loved his wife Ehemea very much, and when she died, he decided to commit suicide. But the goddess Hera did not allow this to be done, turning Merops into an eagle. She made him rise high into the sky to Olympus itself, and asked the almighty Zeus to grant immortality to the king. Zeus placed Merops forever in the night sky in the form of the constellation Aquila. And the island was renamed in honor of the beloved daughter of Merops and Ehemea - Ko.

Kos is the third largest in the Dodecanese archipelago, and the second largest in terms of population.

Greeks love to spend their holidays on this amazing island, famous for its resorts and rich history. Today's Kos is a modern tourist center.

Here you can relax, heal, have fun, go surfing or diving, or just enjoy the sun and the sea on the beaches of the island, each of which is unique in its own way.

Nature lovers have nicknamed the island the Garden of the Gods for its protected forests, where you can walk among the many trees and watch the sunset.

History lovers call it the island of Hippocrates, in honor of the ancient Greek physician, a native of Kos.

Fans of the animal world are waiting for a meeting with pink flamingos and tame peacocks, carriage-carriage turtles and harbor seals living on the island.

In short, the trip promised us many pleasant moments.

The beginning of the sea voyage and arrival on the island

In the morning our yacht left the marina. The weather was beautiful, a light breeze was blowing, the bright sun was shining, and our mood was upbeat. But towards the end of the boat trip, we got into a strong storm. The mainsail was torn by gusts of strong wind. With a damaged sail, we moored in the yacht marina of the city of Kos.

The mood was no longer as cloudless as at the beginning of the journey. It was impossible to rent a yacht to a charter company. Nikos announced that the repair of the sail would take several days, and urgent business awaited him in Athens. What to do? We volunteered to stay on the island and hand over the repaired ship to the company.

Attractions of the island of Kos

In the early morning, while the sun was not yet burning, but only gently caressing with its rays, we, having bought a map, began to decide where to start our journey. Kos is an island with a long history, traces of which can be found here at every turn.

And, despite the fact that the historical fate of Kos largely repeats the fate of other Dodecanese Islands, the special specificity of the history of the island is associated with the name of Hippocrates and the ancient sanctuary of Asklepion.

Therefore, our journey through the sights of the island of Kos began with him.

Sanctuary of Asklepion

So, in the southwest of the city of Kos, on the slope of a hill immersed in the greenery of cypresses, with a beautiful view of the sea, one of the most famous sanctuaries of the island is located - the Asklepion temple complex.

In ancient times, it was a place of worship for the god Asclepius, the patron saint of medicine, whose cult was brought to the island by the Dorians. The ancient Greeks greatly revered the god Asclepius. Throughout Greece, special temples were built in honor of the god - asklepions, and his priests were called asklepiads and were engaged in healing. The temples were located in sacred cypress groves, most often in the mountains. A prerequisite was the presence of rivers or mineral springs near the temple.

Not only the temples, but the very surroundings around them were considered sacred. Access to them was allowed only after special preparations. First of all, the sick fasted for several days, and then they were fumigated and bathed in sacred springs. After that, they were allowed inside the temple itself, where a ritual of sacrifice was performed in honor of the god Asclepius. The sick were left in the temple to spend the night on the skin of a sacrificial animal, and then they told the priests their dreams. Those, in turn, interpreted them and prescribed treatment.

The methods by which the patients were treated were very unusual. Patients were instructed to take orally or externally the blood of a sacrificial animal, or bloodletting was prescribed. Many were recommended a special diet and even going to the theatre, listening to sacred chants, riding or hunting. The priests compiled tables describing the course of the disease and methods of its treatment.

Thus, priceless knowledge was accumulated in the asclepions over the centuries, passed on by the priests to the students, and only members of their families, whose roots went back to Asclepius himself, could be students.

Entire medical schools sprang up. A student and then a minister of one of them was the world-famous Hippocrates, who later founded his own school.

Just think - it was the 5th century BC. e. Hippocrates outlined his views on the symptoms of diseases and methods of their treatment in his medical collection, which consisted of 59 essays. Where various sections of medical science were presented, such as anatomy, physiology, pediatrics, dietetics, surgery, gynecology, as well as medical ethics, and Hippocratic methods became the source of modern scientific medicine. He also invented the famous oath, which is given by doctors all over the world.

During archaeological excavations in 1902 on the island of Kos, the remains of an ancient sanctuary were discovered.

Temple buildings are located on three levels. Such architectural style, was characteristic of the buildings of the countries of the East and was borrowed during the time of Alexander the Great.

Unfortunately, only small fragments of buildings have survived to this day. Much was plundered in different historical epochs.

Having examined the monument and admiring the beautiful view, we rush further.

Antimachia

Heading to Kefalos, we could not help but stop by the place Antimachia, which is located almost in the middle of the island. Antimachia is a traditional Greek village. Its hospitable inhabitants are engaged in agriculture.

This quiet, cozy place is interesting because here you can get an idea of ​​the life of a Greek peasant.

In a real Greek house, there is an exposition "Antimahiko Spiti", which contains items of Greek life. The house is decorated with handicrafts. And opposite the exposition is a pretty windmill.

The day was hot. I wanted to swim, eat fish, and we decided to turn to Mastichari, where there are many fish taverns and a beautiful beach.

In the tavern, having chatted with the owner over lunch, we learned that colorful honey festivals are held here at the end of August.

And in early September, a lot of guests gather for a festival of wine and winemakers with a tasting of local wines, traditional folk festivals are held, accompanied by music and dancing until the morning. Thanking Costas for Tasty food and interesting story, we decided to move on to the legendary Kefalos.

Kefalos

The current name of Kefalos (in Greek - head) the city received due to the role that it once played as the capital of the island. The city seems to be divided into two parts. The first is Kamari, a typical seaside resort with numerous bars, restaurants, taverns, nightclubs and chic shops.

The second part of Kefalos has a long history. Previously, it was called Astypalea, and it was the first capital of the island. Of the historical sights, it is worth highlighting the ancient Christian basilica of St. Stefanos, located in the town of Palatea. Here are the ruins of the ancient temple of the goddess Demeter, the patroness of fertility and agriculture. Next to the temple is an even more ancient theater dating back to the era of early Hellenism, and the ancient temple of St. Palatiani.

drinking

In the very central part of the island there is a place called Pili. Olive groves and lush gardens surrounding the town, as if painted by a talented landscape painter. The white stone houses are located around the picturesque town square with its cafeterias, bars, taverns and restaurants, where everyday city life takes place.

In taverns you can enjoy local traditional dishes or pastries - curd cakes with honey and cloves, called katimeria, as well as goat cheese boiled in red wine, with aromatic additions from mountain herbs. At a distance of one hundred meters from the square there is a beautiful city fountain with six springs. And very close you can see the domes of the church of the Holy Cross, built on the site of a temple and an ancient burial place of the Hellenistic era, associated with the name of a local hero - King Kharmil.

The biggest impression on us was made by the old town - Palio Pili.

At the top of the Dikeos hill there is a dilapidated and abandoned fortress built during the years of the Byzantine imperial dynasty, which ruled from the 9th to the 11th century. Later, during the reign of the Ionite knights on the island, the walls of the old fortress were fortified, and the fortress itself became one of the main defensive outposts of the island. Nearby is located Byzantine church John the Baptist with stunning frescoes.

But we climbed to the top of the hill not only to inspect the ancient ruins. From here you have a fantastic view of the Turkish coast and the city of Bodrum, located directly opposite. The sun was going down. Noisy downstairs sea ​​waves, and we listened to the song of the sea and admired this unforgettable marvelous spectacle.

Kos city - the capital of the island

We decided to dedicate the second day on the island to walking around the city of Kos.

The whole history of the island has left its mark on the appearance of the capital. The mixture of cultures, eras and religions reminded us of ancient Babylon.

The ruins of the old city are located literally a stone's throw from the yacht marina where our yacht was.

That's where we headed.

ancient agora

In ancient Greek and Roman cities, the agora - the central market square, has always played an important role in the political, spiritual and religious life cities.

It was a vast space where the male part of the population gathered not only to shop or sell their goods, but also to get the latest news on politics, discuss everyday city events and just chat.

After 366 BC, the city of Kos became the capital of the island and its agora, located near the seaport, became the "heart" of the city.

It had the traditional appearance of an ancient market and consisted of three main galleries - northern, western and eastern, converging to the central square. They housed shops where they traded various goods for the needs of the townspeople. Around the Agora, you can see the remains of wide city streets and private houses, fragments of temple buildings dedicated to Hercules and Aphrodite, as well as the altar of the god Dionysus.

In the southern gallery of the ancient market there is a well-preserved domed building, which in the Roman era housed a dye shop. Here, during excavations, ancient coins and bronze figurines were discovered.

Villa Casa Romana (Roman House) on Kos

One of the most impressive monuments ancient city is the Roman villa Casa Romana. Its ruins were found during excavations after a strong earthquake in 1933 by Italian archaeologists. Greece almost immediately began the restoration, which lasted until 1940, but it was finally restored only after 60 years.

The size and rich decorations of the villa indicate that it belonged to one of the Roman aristocratic families who lived here around the beginning of the 3rd century. Before central entrance a pedestal rises into the house on which the inscription "Apeliksikakos" (the one who drives away evil) is visible.

The building has 26 rooms. Almost all rooms of the house have fragments of mosaic and marble decorations.

In the courtyard of the villa there is a fountain decorated with a mosaic depicting a panther devouring a deer.

The naturalistic scenes of the mosaic panels that lay the floors in all rooms imitate sea ​​bottom. On some you can see the image of a dolphin, on others a mermaid riding a seahorse.

All of them are perfectly preserved.

Ancient Roman Odeon

The Roman Odeon was one of the most significant public buildings city ​​of Kos. It is believed that this building served not only for music competitions, but at the same time it was used for meetings of the City Council (designed for 750 people). The Odeon was built in the classical style of ancient semicircular amphitheatres. Once the building had a domed roof, which has not been preserved. Below is a place for the orchestra - a round shape with a marble floor.

During excavations on the territory of the Odeon, 18 marble sculptures. The most interesting of them is the statue of Hippocrates, now it can be seen in the archaeological museum of the city. Every year in summer time symphonic music concerts are held here, in which orchestras from all over the world take part.

Fortress of the Knights of Ionites

Near the port, protecting its water area, the majestic walls of the Fortress of the Knights of Ionites rise. The gates of the fortress are decorated with the coat of arms of the Grand Master of the Order of Fernandez de Heredia. The castle was built in the 15th century. It is a rectangular building with tall towers at the corners. The fortress was built to control the sea passage to the Holy Land during the Crusades.

The Turks, who later captured the fortress, used it as a barracks for a military garrison and the residence of the governor, and in 1816 the fortress was almost completely destroyed when a gunpowder depot exploded. And only in the 40s of the XX century, Italian archaeologists restored the structure. Then the German invaders set up a prison within the walls of the fortress, and a few years after the end of World War II, in 1948, the building was declared historical monument and taken under the protection of UNESCO.

tired after long walk, we wandered towards the port. People were walking along the embankment.

From bars, taverns and cafes came the multilingual speech, the sounds of music. And sadness crept into our hearts.