Kos Satellite Map
Click on the areas you are interrested in for Accommodations and Information

Kos Island Areas

Kos Information

Kos is a beautiful Greek island, which is located in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea, in the Dodecanese islands. It is the third island in sequence in regards to area following Rhodes and Karpathos.

The island has five villages: Asfendiou (Zipari-Lagoudi-Zia-Tigaki), Pyli (Marmari), Antimahia (Mastichari), Kardamena, Kefalos

The population of the island is 26.379 inhabitants. The City of Kos has 14.714 inhabitants.

Capital of the island, the city of Kos is located on its northeastern coast. Although not exceptionally large, it impresses the visitor immediately, with its bike routes, its palm avenues, its people-friendly design.

With many archaeological sights, both within and surrounding the city, Kos is the ideal place for biking and strolling, as there will always be something to comment on. Attractions of a different sort are the wide variety of modern boutiques, tourist shops, bars, cafes and restaurant of all types.

There is also a large selection of hotels and furnished flats, within and just outside the city. The banks, post office, Telephone Company, the city museum and most other city services are in the city, and are housed, for the most part, in the well-preserved, impressive buildings of the Italian period.

The port of Kos is particularly picturesque with its many pleasure vessels, yachts, cutters and traditional fishing boats. It’s the spot where locals and tourists alike ''see and are seen''.

In recent years extraordinary effort has been made to meet the challenges presented by the modern tourist. An infrastructure is being developed to fulfill the needs of citizens and visitors both. A successful endeavor has been the Water Treatment Center, which is the most modern in the Mediterranean, and which has made swimming possible in crystal clear waters on beaches left and right of the city. In fact, three beaches have won Blue Flags for this season. Also in progress are the projects of Marina, to better accommodate sea quests; the development of a spa facility using the existing therapeutic hot springs; the completion and improvement of the road system, and more.

The city of Kos justifiably won the title of ''European City of 1995'', for it is truly a contemporary city ready to welcome you and win your affection.

Kos History

Kos island has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Originally colonized by the Kares, it was when the Dorians came in the 11th century B.C. the Persians invaded, but they were expelled by the joint efforts of the Athenian Federation 21 years later. The island saw great development in the 4th century B.C., especially after the building of their beautiful new city in 366 B.C., where the modern city is now situated. After a brief occupation by a Persian General, Kos again prospered under the auspices of Alexander the Great. Unfortunately, during the period of the Roman Empire, its libraries and other treasures were looted. But it saw new heights with the coming of the Byzantine Empire.

Later conquered by the Venetians, Kos was sold to the Knights of Saint John in 1306. They ruled it for 200 years, until their abandonment of it to the Turks. The Turkish occupation lasted for almost four hundred years, until 1912, when the Italians took over. Germany, too, came to occupy Kos until the end of Word War II when the British arrived as guardians.

Kos was reunited with Greece on March 7 1948. In addition to these manmade disasters, Kos also faced some natural ones. Catastrophic earthquakes occurred here in 142, 469, 554 and 1933.

KOS THE ISLAND OF HIPPOCRATES ''FATHER OF MEDICINE''

Kos is known throughout the world as the birthplace of Hippocrates. He is known as the father of medicine (460 B.C.), because until he rescued it from the priests and charlatans, it was not a science but practice of magic and sorcery. He introduced and systematically classified new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and described conditions, which are today named for modern scientists. The Hippocratic Oath established his as the greatest medical Mind of the time, and the Oath is considered the most significant of his writings. Even today, doctors throughout the world take this sacred vow which binds them to art of healing.

One of the most remarkable archaeological sites of the island is the Asklepion, possibly the best and certainly the most renowned hospital of its time. Its famous spa, with running mineral waters, was used to treat skin diseases.

Only the foundations and some pillars have remained from the splendor of the Temple of Asklepios, as well as pillars of the arcade that is thought to have been part of Hippocrates’ Medical School. Also surviving the millenia is the plane tree of Hippocrates tutored his students under the shade of its rich foliage.

The International Hippocratic Institute was recently built near the Asklepion as a public welfare foundation whose aim is the realization of the Hippocratic principles of humanized medicine. World-renowned cultural and medical personalities and institutions. In fact the Museum of Medicine has recently begun to function, with noteworthy exhibitions, collections of books, stamps, coins and busts related to Hippocrates.