Overview

The home of Hippocrates, of Hippocratic Oath fame, Kos is one of the top tourist destinations in Greece mainly because of its mild weather, long sandy beaches and self-contained resort hotels. Kos is an ideal venue for a family vacation and it is favored by Northern European travellers.
It is the third largest island in the Dodecanese chain, which hugs the coast of the Aegean coast of Turkey. Kos lies very close to the Turkish peninsula of Bodrum, it has an area of 290 sq. km, a coastline of 112 km (70 miles) and a population of about 20 thousand. Kos can be reached by air or by ferry.

While the interior of the island is agricultural, with many relying on the soil for their livelihood, it is the mix of archaeology and history coupled with the beaches that attract visitors year after year and which make it one of the more popular islands of Greece.

Kos is thought to be the birthplace and home of Europa, whose name is borne today by the Old Continent. The island was also the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, who lived on the island in the fourth century BC. After his death the people of Kos built the Asklepeion (named for the God of Healing Asklepeos), which became a hospital that was known throughout the Greek world and spread the healing methods of Hippocrates. Today, its ruins are one of the top tourist draws of the island.

The Highlights
The sandy beaches of the south coast.
The windswept north coast.
The Asklepeion, ancient hub of medicine.
The resort hotels.

We Recommend
Visiting and exploring the archeological sites of Kos Town, and especially the Asklepeion.
Trying your hand at water sports at the north coast. This is a good opportunity to try windsurfing and skiing.