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.
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.
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. 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 There is plenty of taxis on the island.
Ancient Agora. Roman Odeon. House of Europa. Casa Romana. Archaeological Museum (in the center of Kos Town). Constructed in the Italian style in 1936 and renovated in 2016. It contains the spectacular statues discovered at the site of Roman Odeion, including a statue of ancient physician Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine. The first floor also contains a famous mosaic discovered at the "Casa Romana" on this island, and also a well-preserved statue of Hygieia, a daughter of Asclepius, the deified Greek physician who lived before the War of Troy and who was revered in the 5th century BC as the God of Medicine.
Relax on the beach, wind- and kitesurfing. 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. 1 Mastihari Main Beach (Mastichari Μαστιχαρι). Mastihari is on the northwestern side of the island. Its main beach is sandy. During the summer season the part nearest to the village has beach furniture on it. However they end near a wind surfing centre, beyond which the beach is open.
If you're on a budget, there is pita gyros for €2.50 sold by most restaurants (some for €2) Ampeli (Tigaki), ☏ +30 2242 069682. Traditional Greek tavern. (updated Dec 2017) Broadway Restaurant, Megalou Alexandrou (Kos Town), ☏ +30 2242 027052. (updated Dec 2017) Lofaki, Agios Nektarios (4 km (2.5 mi) south of Kos Town), ☏ +30 694 498 9999. (updated Dec 2017) Mummy's Cooking Restaurant (Evdokia), 13 Bouboulinas, Kos Towns (near Dolphin Square)), ☏ +30 2242 028525. Tavern with traditional Greek food. Let mummy's son help you decide what to order and be surprised how good it all tastes. Reasonable prices, f.e. Moussaka €7. The Watermill of Zia (Zia), ☏ +30 697 229 2109.
Kos is a very safe area and should not be a major problem for travellers. Just take normal precautions.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Sep, Kos typically sees ~28°C daytime highs and 1 rainy days.
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