Kos

Island · 🇬🇷 Greece

Population 33,387

Area 285 km²

Time zone Europe/Athens

Official website kos.gov.gr

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Featured Lists

Steven Fruitsmaak / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Kos Essentials

Kos centers on the legacy of Hippocrates, featuring the ancient Asklepieion healing complex and the legendary Plane Tree. The island’s history spans from the Roman Odeon and Casa Romana’s mosaics to the medieval Castle of the Knights and the Byzantine ruins of Palio Pyli. Natural highlights include the volcanic Empros Thermes and the mountain village of Zia. Along the coast, the ruins of Ayios Stefanos Basilica overlook Kastri Island, while Paradise Beach offers clear waters and sandy shores.

14 places

Michal Osmenda / CC BY-SA 2.0

Best Beaches in Kos

Kos boasts a diverse coastline with white-sand stretches and secluded rocky bays. Paradise and Flamingo beaches provide crystal-clear, shallow waters ideal for swimming, while Marmari is a hub for windsurfing and water sports. For a quieter experience, Camel Beach is framed by unique rock formations, and Agios Theologos offers tranquility on the island's western tip. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood in the village of Mastichari, go fishing at the harbor of Limnionas, or visit Polemi Beach, the island's primary destination for naturism.

8 places

kallerna / CC BY-SA 3.0

Ancient Ruins of Kos

Kos serves as a living museum of Aegean history, showcasing architectural remains from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras. This collection features the Asklepieion, an ancient healing center dedicated to the god of medicine, alongside the Roman Odeon and the mosaic-filled Casa Romana. The island's defensive history is preserved in the medieval Castle of Antimachia and the hilltop ruins of Palio Pyli. Visitors can explore urban life through the Ancient Agora and the Xisto Gymnasium, or discover early Christian influence at the seaside Basilica of Ayios Stefanos.

12 places

Ad Hoosemans / CC-BY-SA

Religious Sites in Kos

Explore the diverse spiritual landscape of Kos, ranging from 18th-century Ottoman architecture to secluded Byzantine-style chapels. This collection includes the Defterdar Mosque in the heart of Kos Town and the hilltop Chapel of Panagia Ziniotissa, which offers panoramic views of Kamari Bay. The island's religious heritage is preserved in remote monasteries like Agios Ioannis and local parish churches in villages such as Zipari and Antimachia, often featuring traditional blue domes and intricate iconography.

10 places