Kos Town: Picturesque island capital with oriental flair

Greece's island of Kos is one of the most beautiful holiday islands in the Dodecanese. Known for its beautiful beaches, you can discover impressive sights around the island capital of the same name. More than half of the islanders live in the bustling port city. As an economic and cultural center, Kos is the largest island town and tourist center at the same time.

Kos Town is rich in history that you can experience today in ancient monuments and medieval castles, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques.

In the tranquil streets with small boutiques and cozy taverns, you can quickly leave everyday life behind. To explore Kos, the Mandráki harbor is a good starting point.

Nerátzia Castle guards the harbor entrance of Kos.

It can be reached via Plantanenplatz. On it stands a tree of Hippocrates, which the forefather of medicine is said to have planted himself. At the northern exit of the ancient excavation site Agorá rises the loggia mosque with a purification fountain.

A Turkish bath in Kos opened its doors behind the courthouse on Plantanenplatz in the 17th century. The inconspicuous building was in operation until 1948. After that it served as a salt store.

Ko's heart beats at Eleftherías Square. Located not far from Mandráki Harbour, the place invites you to linger in midsummer until late at night. During the day, a colorful hustle and bustle awaits you in the restaurants and cafés. Opposite the Archaeological Museum of Kos, it is worth visiting the lively market hall.

The Defterdar Mosque dates from the times of Ottoman rulers. Behind it is the "Tax Gate" where merchants had to pay a tax in the Middle Ages. From there you can reach the Odós Naflírou. Rustic taverns are lined up in the so-called Bar Street of Kos.

Returning to Elefthería Square, you will be guided past the Defterbar Mosque and Market Hall to the Casa Romana in Kos. It is considered the largest reconstruction of a Roman villa on Greek soil.

The western excavations with the mosaic “Judgment of Paris” and the early Christian basilica are directly adjacent to the old town of Kos. High points are the Gymnasium, Nymphaeum and Westtherme. Remarkable wall paintings await you in the Roman villa "House of Europe".

Located near the Western Excavations of Kos, the Odeon was used as a site for council meetings, performances and competitions. The Roman theater could seat up to 750 people.

The excavations of Asklepieion can be visited four kilometers outside of Kos town. In ancient times, the extensive area was the largest facility for the cult of saints and medicine. On the elevated terrain you look from Kos to the coast of Asia Minor, where on a clear day you can see Turkish Bodrum and ancient Halicarnassus.

At the south-eastern tip of Kos, the richly decorated Byzantine-style church of Agios Geórgios awaits you. Saint George's Day is celebrated there on April 23rd. As soon as you step in front of the sacred building, the place gives you a fantastic view over the Aegean.

On a trip from Kos Town, the Embros Therme are considered the last point on the Agios Fokás cape before the Dikeos mountains fall into the sea. A narrow path leads to Agios Fokás Beach. There, a 49 °C hot sulfur spring mixes with fresh sea water. The islanders know about the healing effects of the thermal baths.

Most of the pictures were taken with my Huawei P10 and edited with Google Picasa.