Open left braid menu. Open left menu Kos city What is interesting on the island of Kos
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The area of the island is 267 square meters. kilometers, and the length of the coastline is 112 km. The population according to the 2001 census is almost 31 thousand. people, accordingly it is the second largest island, second only toRhodes, on the Dodecanese Islands.
The list of settlements is relatively small:
the capital of the island is the city of the same name, Kos, Antimachia, near which there is an airport and resort towns: Kefalos, Mastichari, Kardamena, Tigaki, Psalidi, Marmari, Lambi, and Agios Fokas, famous for its thermal springs.
Each of these resorts has its own peculiarity, its own uniqueness, its own “zest”, but they are all aimed at one task - to provide tourists with a magnificent, unforgettable holiday on the island of Kos.
Unlike other islands of Greece, Kos is less mountainous - it has mostly hilly terrain combined with plains, but in the east of the island there is Mount Dikeos, on which the highest point of the island is located - eight hundred and forty-six meters above sea level.
Climate
The climate on Kos is formed under subtropical and Mediterranean conditions. As a result, summers on the island are hot, clear and dry, and winters are rainy and stormy with strong winds. But spring on the island is wonderful. Young greenery pleases the eye with its freshness and lush flowering of a huge variety of plants. This is the best time for those who prefer not very hot weather and a soft tan. Summer average monthly air temperature is +27 degrees. — +31 degrees, the water warms up to +25 degrees, but the most comfortable time for living and relaxing on the island of Kos is the period after September 20 and until the end of October, because the air temperature gradually decreases to +22 degrees. But the water temperature is still quite comfortable for swimming and gradually decreases from +25 degrees to +20 degrees. In general, the climate does not differ significantly from the climate of the neighboring island of Rhodes, and is very reminiscent of a holiday on the island of Kos. It is very convenient to use the weather informer from ForecaBox to find out the current weather conditions and forecast for 10 and 15 days
Resort centers
Kefalos
About 33 km from the capital in the west of the island, the picturesque resort of Kefalos is located. A distinctive feature of this city is the presence of a beach with the whitest sand on the entire island and water near the shores do not overheat even in hot weather - this occurs as a result of active undercurrents in this area of the island. The coastline of the beach area is more than five kilometers. Excellent infrastructure and unique architectural the buildings.
Marmari
12 km from the town of Kos is the wonderful resort of Marmaris with a magnificent beach stretching along the coastline for 2 km. Right behind the beach area there are hotels of various classes. The resort meets the requirements of even the most demanding tourists; it will be cozy and comfortable for both those who like a quiet family holiday, as well as those who prefer a dynamic, active holiday and those who want to have a wild night.
Vacationers have quiet, cozy hotels, a modern surf club with training for beginners, cozy cafes, restaurants, night discos, bars and other various entertainment options.
Kardamena
Kardamena is located in the southwest of the island; this resort is known as one of the most popular, fun and exciting places on the island among young people. Accordingly, there is a huge number of different clubs, dance halls, all kinds of entertainment centers, cafes, bars, and restaurants. The resort is also famous for its excellent beaches and very pleasant, white sand. The beach stretches along the coastline for more than 3 km.
Mastichari
Your holiday on the island of Kos will not be complete without visiting Mastichari. This resort is located west of the capital along the northern coast at a distance of 20-22 km. The resort of Mastichari is also a major port. Mastichari is one of the best resorts on the island, which is especially suitable for fans of a quiet, family holiday.
There are quite a large number of different hotels here, i.e. for every taste and budget, which you can choose with the help of a well-known hotel. Silence, tranquility and excellent infrastructure, and in numerous restaurants and taverns located within walking distance from the beach there are a lot of delicious and varied dishes, incl. prepared from the freshest fish and seafood.Just like in the above resorts, the beaches of Mastichari have magnificent white sand and clear, azure waters.
Lovers of water sports will find something to suit their tastes here. For example, due to the frequent occurrence of large waves, this place is ideal for windsurfing, and there is a school for beginners in this sport. A very spectacular event is the local Windsurfing Festival dedicated to St. John, held annually on August 29th. The townspeople are especially proud of the local Lido Waterpark, which is the only one on the entire island and one of the largest in Greece with an area of 75 thousand square meters. m.
Tigaki
In the north of the island, 11 km from the town of Kos, there is the most sparsely populated resort of Tigaki. This place is fully suitable for those who prefer privacy. And for maximum privacy and absolute fusion with nature, you can visit the least populated island of Pserimos.
The resort also offers excellent surfing opportunities. There is a relatively very long coastline here, stretching over 10 km. Despite its small population, the resort is fully equipped with all the necessary infrastructure and a sufficient number of various comfortable hotels designed for guests of any budget.
Lambie
Where on the island can you have a fun, interesting, active time?Then the Lambi resort suits all your criteria. It is located near the town of Kos - this is a wonderful cozy place - the resort attracts tourists with its amazing nature, crystal clear water and well-groomed beaches.
This is the place where all the most fun and exciting things are concentrated - there are many nightclubs, discos, various attractions, karaoke restaurants and other entertainment. There is also the opportunity for an exciting sea voyage on a yacht or boat; you can visit any of the islands of the Dodecanese archipelago. And of course, in Lambi there are the most comfortable hotels, and the best cafes, bars and restaurants with warm and hospitable staff, and the close proximity to the city of Kos further expands the possibilities for tourists when choosing places where they can eat deliciously and have a good time.
Psalidi
The resort of Psalidi is a sandy bay located five kilometers from the town of Kos. It amazes with a very quaint coastline and uniquely beautiful seascapes that you can admire endlessly. Here you feel very comfortable at different times of the year and even in the summer heat - after all, the beach area is surrounded by beautiful gardens that organically flow into the surrounding groves. This naturally creates a wonderful, unique microclimate - the coolness of the sea, the healing sea air and lush vegetation around.
Accordingly, as in allresorts of Greece, all this above-described splendor of the surrounding nature is accompanied by excellent infrastructure and a variety of comfortable hotels located along the coastline of the resort with friendly and hospitable staff,
Agios Fokas
In the southeast of the island is the Cape of Agios Fokas, famous for its unique thermal resort, and from its coast you can even see the Turkish coast.
Unlike the above resorts, the beaches here are mostly pebble. But the paths on the beaches are made of wooden flooring for the comfort of tourists. The beaches are clean, well-groomed, there are sunbeds and umbrellas everywhere. But the main advantage of Agios Fokas over other resorts is the close proximity to the Terma thermal springs, just a 35-40 minute walk, but they can also be reached by bicycle, bus or car, which can be rented. Along with a rich selection of comfortable hotels, the resort also has a wide range of restaurants, cafes, snack bars, and bars.
In the final part, it should be noted that all of the above resorts have excellent conditions for recreation, incl. and for the active. However, your successful choice of hotel and purchase of a not very expensive air ticket are also of great importance for a wonderful and relaxing trip to this amazing island. Many people know that the earlier you book a hotel and air ticket, the lower the prices will be, so dear readers, we offer you a very well-known and proven service for searching for air tickets and hotels - this will significantly reduce your time and costs. The service (search engine) does not engage in direct sales; it accumulates information within a minute from 728 airlines and 45 agencies. More details at
Prices for air tickets to Kos by month
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In addition to the search form, when searching for a hotel, it is very convenient to use the hotel widget in the form of a map (you just need to click on one of the markers and you will have access to the necessary information on the hotel, including prices, photos, the map can be moved and zoomed by scrolling mice)
And if you are interested in housing in the private sector, then the service from (apartments, houses...) will help.
The site wishes yougood luck and have a nice trip!
One evening, our Greek friend Nikos, the owner of the sailing yacht “Eolos”, called and asked for help in moving her to the island of Kos.
Every year he rents out a yacht to a charter company for the entire summer season. We happily agreed. Who would refuse a pleasant boat trip under sail, and even to an island where we have long dreamed of visiting?
The departure of "Eolos" was scheduled for the next morning, and there was very little time left to get ready. 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 so-called Dodecanese Islands. Translated from Greek, Dodecanese means twelve islands. Kos got its name from the Carian word “kion”, which means sheep, since long-haired sheep have long been bred on the island. However, there is another, mythological, version of its name.
Kos was once called Merops, and its inhabitants were called Meropites, named after the king who ruled the island. This name translated from ancient Greek means mortal. King Merops loved his wife Echemea very much, and when she died, he decided to commit suicide. But the goddess Hera did not allow this to happen, turning Merops into an eagle. She forced him to rise high into the sky to Olympus itself, and asked almighty Zeus to grant the king immortality. 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 Echemea - Ko.
Kos is the third largest in the Dodecanese archipelago, and the second most populous.
The Greeks love to spend their holidays on this amazing island, famous for its resort areas and rich history. Today's Kos is a modern tourist center.
Here you can relax, heal, have fun, surf or dive, or simply enjoy the sun and 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 numerous trees and admire the sunset.
History buffs call it the island of Hippocrates, in honor of the ancient Greek doctor, a native of Kos.
Animal lovers can expect to see pink flamingos and tame peacocks, carriage turtles and harbor seals that live on the island.
In short, the journey promised us many pleasant moments.
Beginning of the sea voyage and arrival on the island
In the morning our yacht left the yacht dock. The weather was beautiful, there was a light breeze, the sun was shining brightly, and our spirits were high. But towards the end of the boat trip, we found ourselves in a strong storm. The main sail was torn by strong wind gusts. With a damaged sail, we moored at the yacht marina of the city of Kos.
The mood was no longer as cloudless as at the beginning of the trip. It was impossible to rent out the yacht to a charter company. Nikos announced that repairing the sail would take several days, and he had urgent business awaiting him in Athens. What to do? We volunteered to stay on the island and hand over the repaired ship to the company.
Sights of Kos Island
Early in the morning, while the sun was not yet burning, but was just 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 step.
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 Asklepion
So, in the southwest of the city of Kos, on the slope of a hill surrounded by green cypress trees, with a beautiful view of the sea, is located one of the most famous sanctuaries of the island - the Asklepion temple complex.
In ancient times, this was a place of worship of the god Asclepius, the patron 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 God - asklepions, and his priests were called asklepiads and were engaged in healing. 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 also 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 were fumigated and washed in sacred springs. After this, they were allowed inside the temple itself, where the 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. They, in turn, interpreted them and prescribed treatment.
The methods used to treat patients were very unusual. Patients were prescribed to take the blood of a sacrificial animal internally or externally, or bloodletting was prescribed. Many were recommended a special diet and even visiting theaters, listening to sacred chants, riding or hunting. The priests compiled tables describing the course of the disease and methods of treating it.
Thus, over the centuries, priceless knowledge was accumulated in the Asclepions, passed on by the priests to their students, and only members of their families, whose roots went back to Asclepius himself, could be students.
Entire medical schools appeared. 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 treating them 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 the methods of Hippocrates became the source of modern scientific medicine. He also came up with the famous oath that doctors all over the world take.
During archaeological excavations in 1902 on the island of Kos, the remains of an ancient sanctuary were discovered.
The temple buildings are located on three levels. This architectural style was typical for buildings in the countries of the East and was borrowed during the time of Alexander the Great.
Unfortunately, only small fragments of the buildings have survived to this day. Much has been looted in different historical eras.
After examining the monument and admiring the beautiful view, we move on.
Antimachia
Heading to Kefalos, we could not help but stop at the town of Antimachia, which is located almost in the middle of the island. Antimachia is a traditional Greek village. Its hospitable residents are engaged in agriculture.
This quiet, cozy place is interesting because here you can get an idea of the life of a Greek villager.
In a real Greek house there is an exhibition “Antimakhiko spiti”, where objects of Greek life are collected. The house is decorated with handicrafts. And opposite the exposition there is a nice windmill.
The day was hot. We wanted to swim and eat fish and we decided to stop at Mastichari, where there are many fish taverns and a beautiful beach.
At the tavern, after chatting 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 tasting of local wines, traditional folk festivities take place, accompanied by music and dancing until the morning. Having thanked Kostas for the delicious food and interesting story, we decided to move on to the legendary Kefalos.
Kefalos
The city received its current name Kefalos (in Greek - head) due to the role 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 many 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. Among the historical attractions, it is worth highlighting the ancient Christian Basilica of St. Stefanos, located in the town of Palatea. Here are also 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.
Drank
In the very central part of the island there is a place called Pili. The olive groves and lush blooming gardens surrounding the town seem to have been painted by a talented landscape artist. 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 the taverns you can enjoy local traditional dishes or baked goods - curd pies with honey and cloves, called katimeria, as well as goat cheese cooked in red wine, with aromatic additives 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 by 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 the local hero - King Harmil.
The biggest impression on us was made by the old town - Palio Pili.
At the top of Dikeos Hill there is a dilapidated and abandoned fortress, built during the Byzantine imperial dynasty, which ruled from the 9th to the 11th centuries. Later, during the reign of the Ionite knights on the island, the walls of the old fortress were strengthened, and the fortress itself became one of the main defensive outposts of the island. Nearby is the Byzantine Church of John the Baptist with stunning frescoes.
But we climbed to the top of the hill not only to examine 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 setting. The sea waves rustled below, and we listened to the song of the sea and admired this unforgettable marvelous spectacle.
Kos Town - the capital of the island
We decided to devote our second day on the island to walking around the city of Kos.
The entire 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 moored.
That's where we headed.
Ancient Agora
In ancient Greek and Roman cities, the agora, the central market square, always played an important role in the political, spiritual and religious life of the city.
It was a vast space where the male part of the population gathered to not only shop or sell their goods, but also learn the latest news about 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 on the central square. They housed shops where they sold 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 structure, which housed a dyeing workshop in the Roman era. Here, during excavations, ancient coins and bronze figurines were discovered.
Villa Casa Romana (Roman House) on Kos
One of the most impressive monuments of the 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 restoration, which lasted until 1940, but it was finally restored only 60 years later.
The size and rich decoration of the villa indicate that it belonged to one of the Roman aristocratic families who lived here around the beginning of the 3rd century. In front of the main entrance to the house there is a pedestal on which the inscription “Apelixikakos” (he 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 villa's courtyard there is a fountain decorated with a mosaic depicting a panther devouring a deer.
The naturalistic motifs of the mosaic panels that line the floors in all rooms imitate the seabed. On some you can see an 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 in the city of Kos. It is believed that this building served not only for holding music competitions, but was also simultaneously used for meetings of the City Council (designed for 750 people). The Odeon was built in the classical style of ancient semicircular amphitheaters. The structure once had a domed roof, which has not survived. Below is a place for the orchestra - round in shape with a marble floor.
During excavations on the territory of the Odeon, 18 marble sculptures were found. The most interesting of them is the statue of Hippocrates, which can now be seen in the archaeological museum of the city. Every year in the summer, symphonic music concerts are held here, in which orchestras from all over the world take part.
Fortress of the Ionite Knights
Near the port, protecting its waters, rise the majestic walls of the Fortress of the Ionite Knights. The gates of the fortress are decorated with the coat of arms of the Grand Master of the Order, Fernandez de Heredia. The castle was built in the 15th century. It is a rectangular structure 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 subsequently 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 warehouse exploded. And only in the 40s of the 20th century, Italian archaeologists restored the structure. Then the German occupiers built 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 a historical monument and taken under the protection of UNESCO.
Tired after a long walk, we wandered towards the port. People were walking along the embankment.
Multilingual speech and sounds of music could be heard from bars, taverns and cafes. And sadness crept into our hearts.
Tomorrow we will leave this amazing island...
Kos did not have time to reveal to us even a small part of his charm. We didn’t see all of its grandiose monuments, didn’t enjoy sea bathing, didn’t take part in the traditional festivals in honor of wine and the god Dionysus, didn’t attend folk music and dance concerts...
And we decided that we would definitely return here! See you later, Kos!
Holidays on the island of Kos 2019: attractive aspects for tourists, features of hotels and beaches of Kos, entertainment and attractions.
The island of Kos is one of the pioneers of the tourism industry. Mass tourism began to develop here a long time ago, and now about 1 million tourists visit the island every year! The reason for the popularity of Kos is its favorable location near the main tourist routes of the Aegean Sea, gorgeous beaches and rich nature, thanks to which Kos is nicknamed the “floating garden of the Mediterranean”.
Tours to Greece from Level.Travel
Cost of last minute tours to Greece from the largest online service Level.Travel. Prices are indicated from the minimum for the next four months of the 2019 season.
Kos Island - how to get there
The compact territory of Kos (just over 260 km) allows you to avoid many problems with transfers. Kos International Airport, called Hippocrates, is located in the center of the island, 25 kilometers from its capital. Therefore, tourists arriving on vacation can quickly and easily get to their hotel anywhere on the island in 20-30 minutes. Several daily flights connect Kos with the nearby island of Rhodes. Kos is also connected by air to Athens. You can see the estimated prices for air tickets Athens - Kos in our calendar:
Another popular mode of transport - ferries, also regularly run between Kos, the largest islands of the Aegean Sea and other points. From Athens the ferry to Kos takes about 10 hours, the boat trip to Rhodes will last 2 hours.
Best resorts in Kos 2019
Kos is not the largest island in Greece. However, even on a small piece of land, the variety of recreational areas can confuse those traveling for the first time:
- Kefalos resort- this is the calling card of the island of Kos. Here you will see the most picturesque bay, the most beautiful beach strewn with golden sand, as well as the ruins of the ancient capital of the island - the city of Astypalaia.
- Tigaki Resort- a quiet place for a family holiday with children. A large selection of hotels of all categories, including large five-star hotels. The resort's calling card is a wide, ten-kilometer long sandy beach with a gentle entry into the sea.
- Lambi Resort is a resort area in the suburbs of Kos (the administrative capital of the island of Kos). The spacious beaches of Lambi are home to many young people and tourists who want to stay close to the main attractions.
- Mastichari Resort- a town known as one of the largest surfing centers on the island. A calm and relatively inexpensive resort with wide sandy beaches.
- Kardamena resort is the most famous youth resort on the Greek island of Kos. Kardamena provides tourists with an excellent selection of hotels of any star rating, gorgeous sandy beaches, an abundance of water activities and active nightlife;
Where to stay on Kos - hotels
In total, there are about three hundred hotels on Kos, many of them are large hotel complexes with large territories. Kos hotels are fairly evenly distributed along the wide coastline, mainly in the northern and southern parts of the island. Most hotels are well equipped to accommodate tourists with children: children's menus, strollers, playpens, playgrounds, slides and swimming pools are present in almost every major hotel. However, this does not mean that Kos positions itself as an exclusively family resort.
The infrastructure is designed for all categories of tourists: students, young people, elderly vacationers, and married couples. This also explains the wide range of prices and the wide choice of hotel classes. On the island of Kos you can find both modest apartments and luxurious five-star hotels of large chains.
Where to stay on Kos in the 2019 season:
Beaches of Kos - review and photos
Without exaggeration, the island of Kos can be called one of the main centers of beach holidays in the Aegean Sea. Its coastline stretches for 110 kilometers. The beaches on Kos are mostly sandy and very wide; almost every corner of the coast is marked with the EU Blue Flag. On the coast you can find sand of any color - white, golden, and dark volcanic. For lovers of clear water, the island also has a selection of excellent pebble beaches - for example, resort area of Psalidi.
Tigaki Resort (north coast) is perfect for a family holiday: gently sloping sandy beaches stretch for 10 km. The area is calm, hotel complexes are scattered over a fairly large area. Tourists who are planning to spend their holidays on Kos with children are often advised to resort on the southern coast, as there are more sandy beaches here.
Paradise Beach (Kos, Greece)
On the South Coast, the greatest interest among tourists is Agios Fokas beach , since healing thermal springs are located here. The south is also home to the second largest youth resort Kardamena with numerous bars, clubs and discos. Lovers of picturesque views should definitely visit resort area of Kefalos (western part of the island). Photos of this stretch of coastline are most often used in tourist guides to Kos, and one of the most beautiful beaches of Kos is also located here - Paradise .
It is worth noting that Kos is a fairly windy island; stronger winds blow it from the north, so the waves here will be a little larger than in the southern resorts. All beaches of Kos are municipal; sunbeds and umbrellas on public beaches are paid. Sometimes a free sunbed is provided to tavern or bar guests with the purchase of drinks or food.
Entertainment and relaxation on Kos
The administrative center of the island is the city of Kos, located on the northern coast. Here are the main historical monuments, the largest shops and markets of the island; on the central streets you can find many cafes, taverns and bars for tourists. The nearest resort of Lambi is the main party center of Kos, where many young people relax.
The most famous sights of the island of Kos are associated with medicine, because it was here in ancient times that the largest temple dedicated to the god of healing Asclepius existed - Asklepion . Its ruins are well preserved to this day. Kos is also the birthplace of the father of medicine, Hippocrates. According to legend, the ancient plane tree in the central square of the city of Kos is the same tree in the shade of which Hippocrates lectured to his students.
Kos is a real paradise for lovers of water (and other) sports. On the windiest parts of the coast you can see large concentrations of surfers and kite enthusiasts. Scuba diving, boat trips, fishing and water activities (like banana boats and water skiing) are also held in high esteem here. Cycling occupies a special place on Kos: there are excellent bike paths that connect many beaches and picturesque sections of the coast.
Greece is a country where every piece of land is filled with stories. Traveling to this amazing country is an unforgettable and wonderful vacation that opens up a lot of opportunities.
Greece is always very popular among many travelers. And this is true, because in this country everyone will find their favorite place for a wonderful holiday.
The best time to go on holiday to the Greek Republic is from the beginning of June to mid-October. It is at this time that the swimming season opens here. The air temperature can reach 30-35 degrees Celsius. And the water temperature is 25 degrees.
The sights of Greece are distinguished by their color and diversity:
- The Acropolis is the symbol of Athens, a sacred rock that links modernity and the splendor of ancient Greek civilization;
- Parthenon - the majestic temple of the goddess Athena;
- Olympia is the site of the Olympic Games;
- White Mountains;
- The Palace of Knossos is a whole city that is shrouded in legends and much more.
What seas are there in Greece?
The Hellenic Republic is located on numerous islands in the Mediterranean Sea and in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The country is surprising in that it is washed by three seas at once: in the east - the Aegean Sea; in the south - Mediterranean; in the west - Ionian. Also historically, the following seas were distinguished here (and now they are not indicated on any map): the Cretan Sea, which is located between the island of Crete and the Cyclades; Myrtoian Sea, located between the Cyclades and Pyloponnese; in the north - the Thracian Sea.
- The total area of the country is 132 thousand square meters. kilometers, of which the island part belongs to 25 thousand square meters. kilometers. The coastline has a length of about 4,100 kilometers and is almost completely indented.
- In the north, Greece borders countries such as Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania; and in the east it borders with Turkey.
- The largest islands of the Hellenic Republic are the Cyclades Islands, the Northern Sporades Islands, Samothrax, Thassos, Corfu, Rhodes, Lefkas, Kefalonia, Samos, Lesbos, Lemnos, Crete and Ikaria.
The geographical position of Greece has always been extremely advantageous, since the country is located at the crossroads of trade routes, and natural harbors for ships were created thanks to the rugged coastline with numerous bays and bays.
The seas surrounding the islands of Rhodes, Crete, Kos and Corfu
Greece, Crete island: which sea?
Crete is the largest Greek island and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located 300 kilometers from Africa, 175 kilometers from Asia and 110 kilometers from Europe. Its total area is 8262 square meters. km, and 1046 is the length of the coastline.
The island is washed by three seas at once: in the west - by the Ionian Sea; in the south - the Libyan Sea, in the north - the Cretan Sea.
Greece, Rhodes: which sea?
Rhodes is the fourth largest Greek island. It is located in the south-east of the country and is part of the Dodecanese group of islands. The total area of Rhodes is 1397 sq. km.
Rhodes is the owner of 2 seas: in the east it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, and in the south by the Aegean Sea.
These two seas are radically different from each other. The Mediterranean Sea is characterized as calm and quiet, while the Aegean Sea, on the contrary, is violent. Therefore, the Mediterranean Sea is suitable for lovers of a relaxing beach holiday, and the Aegean Sea is suitable for fans of windsurfing. Also, sand is most often found on the Mediterranean Sea, while pebbles are most common on Egeskomm.
The main resorts of Rhodes include Lindos, Kolymbia, Faliraki and Kallithea.
Greece, Kos island: which sea?
Kos is the third largest Greek island after Karpaphos and Rhodes. Its total area is 223 square meters. km, 112 km is the length of the coastline. Kos is part of the Dodecanese group of islands, and is located in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea.
Basically, the entire territory of the island is flat, and only in the north-west can you see mountains. Kos is best known for the fact that the great ancient Greek physician Hippocrates (the founder of modern medicine) was once born here.
Greece, Corfu: which sea?
Corfu is the second largest Greek island among the Ionian Islands. Its total area is 592 square kilometers, and the length of the coastline is 217 kilometers. It borders Albania in the northeast and Spain in the west.
The island is washed by 2 seas at once: in the eastern part - the waters of the Ionian Sea, and in the western part - the waters of the Adriatic Sea.
According to ancient Greek mythology, this island was founded by Poseidon - God and ruler of the seas.
Corfu is known for its magnificent landscapes: olive groves, numerous forests, green hills.
Kos Island is the third largest island in Greece, it belongs to the Dodecanese archipelago of the Aegean Sea. Recently, Kos has become very popular among tourists. This is explained by the fact that the island has all the conditions for an unforgettable and comfortable holiday. Rich history, amazing nature, magnificent beaches, entertainment and a well-developed hotel infrastructure - all this suggests spending your holidays on the Greek island of Kos. The length of the island is 45 km, the width is from 2 to 11 km, the length of the coastline is 112 km .
The capital of the island is the city of Kos.
Weather on Kos island
Classically Mediterranean, with hot summers without rain, with mild and warm winters - this is the climate on the island. In summer, the thermometer can reach +45 degrees, so vacationers should take care in advance to protect themselves from the scorching southern sun and hot wind.
The sea water temperature during the tourist season, which opens at the end of April and closes at the end of October, is between +20-23°C.
In autumn, the air temperature is more comfortable than in summer: in September the maximum level can rise to +33°C, and in November the temperature limits drop to +16-23°C. Therefore, if you are extremely intolerant of the heat, the optimal time for a holiday on the island of Kos will be September or October. Moreover, the sea, warmed up over the summer, has not yet cooled down, often allowing swimming even in mid-November.
Sights of Kos Island
First of all, the island of Kos is famous for the fact that in ancient times the famous “father of medicine”, “the great Asclepiad physician” – Hippocrates – lived on it. According to legend, not far from the Ioannite fortress there grows a plane tree planted by Hippocrates himself, in the shade of which the famous doctor shared his knowledge with his students.
The most visited place by tourists on the island of Kos can be considered the defensive fortress of the Ioannites, built at the beginning of the 14th century to resist attacks by the Turkish army.
Despite its age, the fortress is in very good condition - antique statues, ancient tombs and altars have been preserved within the powerful walls of the fortress, upon climbing which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the sea bay.
Architectural complex Asklepion
The three-level temple of the healer god Asclepius is located 4 kilometers from the city of Kos. In ancient times, the first level was intended for an anatomy museum and a medical school, the second level had thermal water baths, and the third level was assigned the role of a temple. Currently, the Temple of Asklepion is an open-air museum, on the territory of which theatrical performances dedicated to medicine are periodically held.
Beaches of Kos
The island of Kos attracts tourists from all over the world not only with its historical attractions, but also with its numerous beaches. Thus, the western coast of the island is rich in beaches with sandy shores, and the southern coast is rich in pebbles. Moreover, there is a peculiarity: the further south you go, the larger the pebbles, and on many beaches you can find sand of volcanic origin with a characteristic black color.
Paradise (Bubble Beach) and Langades are the most popular beaches on Kos.
Paradise is a beach on the south coast with dazzling white sand, fantastically clear water with the effect of a... jacuzzi! Yes, yes, this effect is explained by the fact that not far from the shore, volcanic gases in the form of bubbles emerge from the bottom of the sea to the surface of the water.
The beach is equipped with comfortable sun loungers, in addition to which you can rent an umbrella for 3 euros per person.
Langades is a beach with an amazing landscape made up of sand dunes with thriving juniper trees.
On the northern coast there are sandy beaches: Mastichari, Marmari, Tigaki.
In the east of the island, the beaches are mainly with small pebbles.
And if you prefer a secluded holiday, then Kamila Beach, which is located on the west coast, will be an ideal place for relaxation and a quiet pastime.
Kos Island Hotels
The island of Kos has an almost unlimited choice of hotels of various categories: from ultra-modern complexes to cozy family hotels in a traditional style. A high level of service, ample opportunities for recreation, well-developed infrastructure - all this will not cause difficulties when choosing a suitable place. You can also contact a tour operator in Greece for help when choosing a hotel.