Greek Island Holidays - Flight, Hotel and Holiday Kos

Welcome to Kos, in the Dodecanese group of Greek Islands. Kos, one of the largest in the Dodecanese group of islands, lies only 5kms from the nearest point on the Turkish mainland. Another 'skinny' island it lies on a diagonal axis from south-west to north-eeast and is almost 45kms long and about 10kms at its widest. It is one of the most popular amongst tourists to the islands, who visit Kos to enjoy both its wealth of ancient remains and the glorious beaches and coastline.

Small images open full size in new browser window

From ancient times the fertile island has attacted settlers and at the time of the Mycenaeans was able to contribute 30 ships during the Trojan Wars. Like that of many of the islands, fortunes fluctuated and Kos enjoyed both times of prosperity and those of obscurity. One of the island's most well known sons was Hippocrates who lived from 460BC to 377BC and, after his death, the Sanctuary of Asclepius and a medical school were built to continue and promote his work. The island enjoyed a period of commercial prosperity under Ptolemy ll of Egypt, who was born on Kos. By the first century AD, after a spell under Roman domination, it became linked with Rhodes for administrative purposes and from then on shared much of Rhodes' history, both good and bad.

Kos town is the island's capital and replaced the old town which was lost during an earthquake in 1933. There are many sites of great antiquity and interest to visit, including amongst them a Shrine to Aphrodite, a Temple to Hercules and a 5th century Christian basilica. The ruins of the Sanctuary of Asclepius are probably one of the island's most important historical sites. Overlooking Kos town, and across to Turkey, the visitor can wander where, over 2000 years ago, people came to be treated for their illness or to study the teachings of Hippocrates. On the site can be seen the ruins of temples, altars and the Roman baths.

Many of the coastal towns are popular resorts with tourists and can become very crowded but, inland, there are still many villages scattered through the mountains that retain their old identities and charm

The island can be reached by air from Athens, with several flights each day, or by one of the frequent ferries between the islands or from the Turkish town of Bodrum. Once on the island there are buses, cars and bikes to get around and trip boats around the coastline.