Kos Island Favorites

Favorite thing: Kos town is small and it is mainly inhabited by tourists - in full season. That is why locals do their best to bring tourist attractions as close to their guests as possible.

For me it doesn't make much sense to spend a day on a beach located almost in the middle of a busy town but as you can see, a lot of people like it.

Favorite thing: This cafe is placed in the main square of Kos town. Nothing special, really. We however liked it a lot. It is always busy, full of people and a great family atmosphere. Just be there.... :-)

Favorite thing: A great way of spending time - cruises around Kos. You'll definetely be asked by guys at the harbour to purchase your cruise tickets there. Don't do that. The same tickets can be bought at this street (see below), running from the harbour to the main square.

Favorite thing: As the island is very close to the shore of Turkey and Greeks traditionally dislike Turks (see history of Greece and Cyprus), Kos used to host strong Greek military forces. Before the 'tourist era' soldiers and their buildings occupied all strategic places of this small land. On your walk along the beach you'll see several concrete bunkers - mostly falling apart or drawning in the sea or sand. There are still three or four minor military bases in the island.

Favorite thing: The town beach which is east of the harbour becomes very crowded during the day, a better bet, also called the town beach, is about 500m west of the centre where there is windsurfing and paragliding on offer. There are plenty of Tavernas and snak bars nearby, and it is close to the discos and water facilities, if you prefure somewhere a little more peacefull and less congested head for Tigaki, a little further west, or Psalidi on the other side of town both have water sports facilities avalable. Beond that there is Aghios Fokas beach which has volcanic black sand and is often deserted

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Favorite thing: Kefalos is the furthermost village from Kos town, some 45 km. It stands on a limestone hill. It is still a real Greek village, not much tourists here. There is a small castle ruin, which was built by the Knights of St. John. Have a stop here and enjoy the Greek life while drinking a cup of Greek coffee in one of the many coffee houses.

Kefalos was built on the ruines of the former capital "Astypalaia". It was in this town that Hippocrates was born in 460 BC. In 412 BC there was a big earthquake and the islanders decided to build a new capital at the East coast (Kos town) as it was better located for communication with the big Greek cities and Asia.

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Favorite thing: The road going from Kefalos towards the monastery of Ayios Ioannis was our favourite part of the island to drive. This part of the island (southwest) is the most desolated and rocky area with lots of trees and once in a while a goat.

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Favorite thing: Kos has many different beaches. There are broad white sandy beaches, pebbled beaches, desserted beaches, crowded beaches with sunbeds close to one another and even dirty beaches. Most hotels stand along the less attractive beaches of Kos town and Kardamena. The beaches of Kefalos, Tigaki, Marmari and Mastihari are much prettier. The best beach is located at the south coast near Kefalos "Paradise Beach".