Kos

Kos (Greek: Κως, also spelt Cos) is a popular tourist destination in the Greek islands of the Dodecanese, located in the south-eastern part of the Aegean Sea, near the Turkish coast.

Understand
The island of Kos is part of the Dodecanese. It is the third largest of this group of islands and the second most popular and touristy island after Rhodes. It is located between Kalymnos and Nysiros. It is very well organised and has everything in terms of tourism infrastructure.

The island is part of a chain of mountains from which it became separated after earthquakes and subsidence that occurred in ancient times. These mountains include Kalymnos and Kappari which are separated by an underwater chasm c. 70 m (40 fathoms deep), as well as the volcano of Nisyros and the surrounding islands.

There is a wide variety of rocks in Kos which is related to its geographical formation. Prominent among these are the Quaternary layers in which the fossil remains of mammals such as horses, hippopotami and elephants have been found. The fossilised molar of an elephant of gigantic proportions was presented to the Paleontology Museum of the University of Athens.

The shores of Kos Island are washed by the waters of the Aegean Sea. Its coastline is 112 km long and is caressed by long immaculate beaches, leading to its main industry being tourism. Farming is the principal occupation of many of the island's inhabitants, with their main crops being grapes, almonds, figs, olives, and tomatoes, along with wheat and corn. Cos lettuce may be grown here, but the name is unrelated.

The main villages of Kos island are Kos Town, Kardamena, Kefalos, Tingaki, Antimachia, Mastihari, Marmari and Pyli. Smaller ones are Zia, Zipari, Platani, Lagoudi and Asfendiou.

By ferry
Daily ferry services from Athens (Piraeus port), Rhodos, Patmos and Leros. From Kalymnos several times daily. From Santorini about 4 times weekly. From Syros twice weekly.

Tilos Travel sails from Bodrum twice a day year-round. It's a 25 min trip costing €23 in 2023, in a small cat for foot passengers only. A day-trip either way is easily possible.

Sky Marine sails from Bodrum twice a day May-Oct in a small cat. It's half the price of Tilos, the catch is that the landing point in Bodrum is not the marina but the cruise terminal several km south.

The car ferry from Bodrum isn't sailing in 2023.

By bus
It is a fairly small island, and there is every now and then a public bus going to every part of the island. From the airport, there is a public bus going to Kos town via Mastichari and to Kefalos. The timetable is available on the KOS KTEL website.

By ferry
Depending on the season, there are many passenger ferries leaving for various neighboring islands. The main ferry to Kalymnos leaves from Mastichari approximately every two hours. In high season, there are also daily ferries to Nisyros leaving from Kardamena. Or you can reach from Bodrum, Turkey to Kos, Greece with ferry: Bodrum Kos Ferry

By taxi
There is plenty of taxis on the island. From the airport they will charge at least €15, even if you just go the Mastichari, which is only 5 minutes away.

By rental car or scooter
Scooters, ATVs and cars can be hired from many places. If you hire a scooter for several days, rent can be as low as €14 a day. You may check the prices and offers, by visiting https://www.kosmotogp.com. Roads are mostly asphalted and in a good condition. Reaching Kefalos from the town of Kos takes approx. 40 minutes by car.

See

 * Κως, πλάτανος του Ιπποκράτη, φωτό αρχείο jpg, 2021-6-12.jpg

Do
Relax on the beach, wind- and kitesurfing.

Beaches
If you are looking for peaceful beaches, try Lakkos, with cedars and dunes, Agios Fokas with its dark sand, or Thermes.

Kefalos Bay has a number of good beaches: Camel, Paradise, Polemi, and Psilos Gremos.

At remote Cape Krikelos, you can choose from Skinos, Theologos, and Moscholiou.

Yachting
The island of Kos is a top yacht charter destination in Greece. You can start your sailing experience from Kos and follow any possible route to other magnificent islands. The marina of Kos is at its old harbour and is known worldwide since it has been available to skippers and yachting enthusiasts for over a decade. It has been described as one of the hottest cruising areas in Europe, as it fulfills every need for any type of boat, such as fuel/petrol, speedboats, WC, showers, bilge and sewage pump out, waste disposal and many more.



Windsurfing
There are two windsurfing schools at Kefalos bay that offer lessons (both private and group) for all levels.

Kiteboarding
The northwestern part of the island (Mastichari and the Kohilari beach) has good conditions for kiteboarding.

Eat
If you're on a budget, there is pita gyros for €2.50 sold by most restaurants (some for €2)



Stay safe
Kos is a very safe area and should not be a major problem for travellers. Just take normal precautions.

Go next

 * Leros
 * Patmos