Kos
Suspended in the cobalt blue of the Aegean, a breath away from the coasts of Asia Minor, Kos reveals itself to travellers as a flo...
Updated 8 July 2026
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The story of Kos
A crossroads of civilisations: a thousand-year history
The history of Kos is a complex mosaic beginning in the Neolithic era, but it saw its first great splendour with Doric colonisation. A member of the Doric Hexapolis, the island became a leading cultural and scientific centre in the 5th century BC, thanks to the figure of Hippocrates. After Macedonian rule and an alliance with Rome, which made it a privileged free port, Kos came under Byzantine rule, suffering frequent Saracen raids. In the 14th century, the arrival of the Knights Hospitaller of St John turned the island into a bastion of Christianity against the Ottoman advance, though the Ottomans took control in 1523. Turkish rule lasted almost four centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the architecture and customs, until Italy occupied the Dodecanese in 1912. The Italians rebuilt much of the capital after the devastating earthquake of 1933, giving it the rationalist, orderly appearance we see today, before its definitive annexation to Greece in 1948.
The Asklepieion: the temple of healing
Set on a lush hill about 4 kilometres from Kos Town, the Asklepieion is the island's most significant archaeological site. Founded in the 4th century BC, after Hippocrates' death, it was at once a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, god of medicine, and a cutting-edge healing centre for its time. The complex unfolds across three great terraces linked by imposing marble staircases. On the first terrace stood the medical schools and patient rooms; on the second rose the altars and Doric temples; the third and highest housed the great peripteral temple of Asclepius and offered a breathtaking view of the sea as far as the Turkish coast. Visiting this place means immersing oneself in an atmosphere of absolute peace, where nature and sacred architecture worked together for the wellbeing of body and spirit.
Neratzia Castle and the Knights' stronghold
At the entrance to the harbour of Kos stands the Neratzia Fortress, built by the Knights of St John between the 14th and 16th centuries. This imposing defensive structure was largely built using spolia from the ancient Agora and the Asklepieion, creating a fascinating visual contrast between blocks of ancient marble and the mighty medieval walls. The castle is surrounded by a wide moat, once filled with water, and is linked to the mainland by a bridge leading directly to Plane Tree Square. Inside, amid bastions, heraldic crests and period cannons, one can still sense the air of the Crusader garrisons that protected the routes to the Holy Land. Its walls offer one of the best vantage points to watch the caiques and ferries that animate the modern harbour.
The Plane Tree of Hippocrates: a living link with the myth
In the heart of the capital, facing the castle entrance, stands one of Europe's most famous trees: the Plane Tree of Hippocrates. Although the current specimen is about 500 years old and cannot be the original tree under which the master taught his disciples 2,400 years ago, it is considered a direct descendant. The enormous, gnarled trunk, now supported by metal scaffolding to prevent it from collapsing, has a circumference of over ten metres. This place is not merely a botanical monument, but a universal symbol of medicine and the transmission of knowledge. Beside the tree, an 18th-century Ottoman fountain adds a touch of serenity, inviting passers-by to pause in the shade of the fronds that have watched centuries of history flow beneath them.
The Ancient Agora and the Roman House
The archaeological area of the Agora, brought to light after the 1933 earthquake, represents the beating heart of Hellenistic and Roman Kos. Walking among the remains of ancient temples dedicated to Aphrodite and Hercules, one senses the island's commercial importance. Not far away stands the Roman House, a splendid reconstruction of a patrician villa from the 3rd century AD. Arranged around three internal courtyards (peristyles), the residence preserves refined mosaics, frescoes and a sophisticated drainage system. The Roman House is an extraordinary example of how the island's elite lived under the empire, offering an intimate glimpse of ancient domestic daily life, with bedrooms, dining rooms and spaces devoted to relaxation, all carefully restored during the period of Italian rule.
The Roman Odeon: the stage of culture
The Odeon of Kos is one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the Dodecanese. Built in the 2nd century AD over the foundations of an earlier structure, it could hold around 750 spectators. It was used for musical contests and meetings of the local Senate. The front rows of marble seats were reserved for authorities, while the remaining ones were of limestone. The structure, partially restored by Italian archaeologists, retains excellent acoustics and is still used today for summer cultural events. Set in a quiet area surrounded by cypress trees, the Odeon reflects the Romans' passion for the performing arts and civic life, acting as a bridge between the island's glorious past and its lively contemporary cultural scene.
Zia and Mount Dikaios: the mountain's breath
Moving away from the coast and climbing the slopes of Mount Dikaios, one reaches Zia, a picturesque village nestled among pine and oak woods. Zia is famous for its spectacular sunsets, when the sun dips into the Aegean, tinging the islands of Kalymnos and Pserimos orange. Despite its tourist popularity, the village retains an authentic charm with its white houses with blue-framed windows and shops selling spices, thyme honey and the typical cinnamon syrup (kanelada). For the more adventurous, a trail leads from here to the mountain's summit, where the small chapel of Christos stands: a demanding walk, but rewarded with a 360-degree view embracing the whole archipelago and the mountains of Turkey.
Kefalos and Agios Stefanos Bay
At the south-western tip of the island lies the Kefalos peninsula, where the ancient capital of Astypalaia once stood. This area is marked by a wilder landscape and fine sandy beaches. The most iconic spot is undoubtedly Agios Stefanos beach, where the remains of two 5th-century early Christian basilicas stand directly on the sand, just a few metres from the shore. Facing the beach rises the islet of Kastri, with its small white and blue chapel, reachable by swimming. It is a corner of rare beauty where archaeology blends with the pleasure of bathing in crystal-clear waters, offering a postcard-perfect scene that embodies the very essence of the Greek islands.
Landscape and nature: between lagoons and hot springs
The nature of Kos is surprisingly varied. Along the northern coast, between Tigaki and Marmari, stretches the Alikes salt lagoon, once used for salt production and now a protected area where, during the winter and spring months, pink flamingos and migratory birds can be spotted. On the opposite side, east of Kos Town, lie the Therme (Empros Therme): hot sulphurous springs gushing from volcanic rocks that flow into a natural pool bounded by rocks at the sea's edge. Bathing here, especially at dusk or under the stars, is a uniquely therapeutic experience, where the warmth of the earth meets the coolness of the Aegean in a primordial embrace.
Traditions and flavours: the table of Kos
The cuisine of Kos reflects the fertility of its land and the influence of its various rulers. A unique product is 'Possia', or wine cheese: a goat's or sheep's milk cheese left to mature in red wine sediment, which gives it a dark rind and an intense aroma. Also typical are 'Pitaridia', noodles cooked in meat broth, and 'Katimeria', fried sweets with mizithra cheese and honey. Antimachia honey is renowned throughout Greece for its quality, as are the local cherry tomatoes, often turned into a delicious sweet preserve. Pairing these dishes with a glass of local wine, perhaps a white made from Athiri grapes, means savouring the essence of an island that has always known how to make the most of its natural resources.
- Visit the Asklepieion early in the morning to enjoy the silence and the view.
- Rent a bicycle and ride the cycle path linking Kos Town to Psalidi.
- Admire the sunset from the village of Zia while sipping a kanelada.
- Explore the early Christian ruins on Agios Stefanos beach in Kefalos.
- Soak in the warm waters of the Empros Therme hot springs.
- Get lost in the alleys of the old village of Pyli and visit its Byzantine fortress.
FAQ
Qual è il modo migliore per spostarsi a Kos?
Quando è il periodo migliore per visitare l'isola?
Kos è adatta alle famiglie con bambini?
Si può visitare la Turchia da Kos?
Getting there
- Aeroporto Internazionale di Kos 'Ippocrate' (KGS) - circa 24 km dalla capitale
- Non sono presenti linee ferroviarie sull'isola.
- Le strade principali collegano Kos Città con Kefalos all'estremità opposta; la rete stradale è ben mantenuta e facile da navigare.
- Il porto di Kos è un importante snodo per i traghetti dal Pireo e per i collegamenti veloci con le altre isole del Dodecaneso come Rodi, Patmos e Leros.
Perfect for
Un vero museo a cielo aperto, con siti che spaziano dall'epoca greca classica a quella romana e bizantina.
Patria della medicina moderna, offre relax termale naturale e un'atmosfera rigenerante ideale per staccare la spina.
Dalle lunghe distese sabbiose del nord alle baie selvagge di Kefalos, soddisfa ogni tipo di amante del mare.
To see
