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Kos Introduction
Kos is situated in the Aegean Sea and is the 3rd largest of a group of islands called the Dodecanese islands, which is also one of the archipelago islands, or cluster of islands, which fall under the municipality of Greece.
You could not wish for more in the way of Kos sightseeing; it has history, archaeology, mythology, culture, natural beauty, stunning views, architecture and more. Its beaches are world renowned as being beautiful and the Aegean Sea is refreshing and clean.
The main industry on Kos is naturally tourism, as it sees many holiday makers each year but farming and agriculture can still be found on Kos with the production of figs, olives, tomatoes and more which is exported around Europe.
As you might wander around Kos Town you will see the Castle which was built in the 15th century standing next to the harbour with the rest of the town being linked via a bridge. The harbour has some trendy water side restaurants and bars; it attracts many visitors at night for its wonderful views and ambiance.
There is an historical interest about Kos Town. It is said to be the birthplace of Hippocrates, the doctor whose oathis still around today. You will be able to see the Plane Tree which is a monument to him and is very famous as it is believed he used to practice his medicinal skills under it.
There are a good variety of shops in the Town, some of which are quite trendy boutiques with exclusive designs. Mixed with some pretty good restaurants you won't go short of shopping, something to eat or drink.
Nightlife is quite busy in Kos Town with a variety of after dark establishments playing live music. The Town seems to come to life at night when crowds are queuing for the clubs to open.
It remains to this day very proud of its culture. The people of Kos celebrate many festivals relating to namedays and religious festivals. These events are held around the island and are very important to today's population.
Kos's natural beauty cannot be forgotten. It has a wetland at Psalidi where you will find many migratory birds stopping off along with all the fauna and flora that exists.
If a sun and beach holiday is what you are looking for then you will, without a doubt find it at Kos.
Like most European countries, Kos enjoys simple, but wholesome food that tastes delicious. You will be given the opportunity to enjoy some of its traditional cuisine, if you desire it.
Kos really does have something to offer everyone, young or old.
Kos Location
Kos is situated in the Aegean Sea and is the 3rd largest of a group of islands called the Dodecanese islands, which is also one of the archipelago islands, or cluster of islands, which fall under the municipality of Greece.
Kos is somewhat small in size, around 40 kilometres by 8 kilometres in width. Some days you can look out across the shore and you will see Bodrum in Turkey which is only 4 kilometres away. Kos has some mountains, the highest being mount Dikeos. From here it is said that the panoramic views are absolutely stunning.
Weather in Kos
The weather on Kos is particularly good and it experiences a longer summer than some European countries, usually from around May when temperatures start to rise, until October. Even after October you can often have a nice sunny day, but temperatures may drop quite rapidly by night fall.
Summer temperatures can reach a staggering high of +30°C, with sea temperatures reaching a high of 27°C during August however, on some of the Northern beaches, it is possible to experience days during July and August which are quite breezy so this can be a welcome relief to the very hot and humid days which are often experienced in Mediterranean climates.
Winters are usually mild but can experience heavy rainfall particularly during December and January.
So, in brief you can have a good six or seven months to visit Kos and enjoy some pleasant weather without packing your umbrella!
Transfers from the airport in Kos
Arriving at a foreign airport can often be a strenuous affair and with most customers traveling independently these days having a pre-booked airport transfer is an essential part of your holiday package. Local taxis at the airport can sometimes be limited or with long queues, by booking a pre-booked you can not only make a fantastic saving on your transfer but also avoid all the stress of queues and haggling with taxi drivers. Book your airport transfer service here now >>
Airport Shuttle Bus Service in Kos
In most of our gateway airports you can pre-book an Airport Shuttle Service. This is a pre-booked only service that operates between the relevant airport and holiday resort. In normal times you can expect to wait up to 30 minutes for your shuttle bus to arrive however as this is a pre-negotiated service and only available to participating travel companies then expect to pay far less to get from the airport to your destination accommodation than other traditional forms or transport such as local taxis. Book your airport shuttle service here now>>
Kos Car Hire
Although you will find that you have everything you need close to your resort, hiring a car can be a good way of exploring Kos and getting to places that are perhaps a little off the beaten track.
It is easy to hire a car from the local agencies. There are a good selection of both cars, jeeps, 4x4s to hire and most usually offer child booster/car seats if you request it at the time of booking. Cars can be delivered/collected from your resort or a pick up point of your choosing.
With a car you will be able to go to some of the beaches a little out of the way and visit some of those shops away from the bigger towns. Supermarkets out of town are usually cheaper than those in the more well known resorts.
In Kos the road signs are international and modern. Care should be taken as a lot of the roads are very narrow and winding. Always carry your driving license, passport and car rental agreement because if you are unlucky enough to be stopped by the police, you could face a fine for not having one of these documents.
Eating Out in Kos
Like most Mediterranean countries, Kos enjoys simple, but wholesome food that tastes delicious. A normal diet on Kos doesn't usually consist of fast food or convenience type food. They like their own locally produced fruit, salad and vegetables which are picked and cooked extremely fresh. They cook with olive oil, and make some tasty salad dressings which are low fat and high in nutrients, as is locally produced tomatoes either in puree, pulp or cooked whole.
Meat dishes usually contain mutton or goat, either braised or stewed to perfect tenderness and flavour. Locally grown herbs are usually added, particularly Thyme, Oregano and Marjoram.
Fish is popular, particularly as people from Kos eat fish which has been freshly caught that day to maintain absolute freshness. Fish is usually grilled or baked.
Deserts are usually very sweet and probably contain honey which is produced on Kos. You might see a typical sweet dish of fried wholemeal bread coated in honey, delicious but full of calories.
Local wine is made with resin, sweet red or white wine
Nightlife in Kos
Kos has a rich and varied nightlife, depending on what you are looking for and where you are staying. There are places you can go, such as Mastihari, Marmari and Kalymnos where you will not find anything noisy, just traditional Greek tavernas and restaurants.
However, if you are looking for lots of night entertainment then Kos Town will have what you are looking for. It has a splendid variety of music bars, clubs and disco's all offering loud and buzzing music. They stay open until the early hours so you will be able to party the night away and then go to the beach, if you wish, to sleep it off. There are two streets in particular where you will find plenty going on Diakon Street and Nafklirou street.
The harbour has some trendy water side restaurants and bars; it attracts many visitors at night for its wonderful views and ambiance.
If you are looking for a foamparty, then Kardamena is the place to go as they hold regular theme evenings during August. Nightlife is simply buzzing at Kardamena: it is where club lovers enjoy a full night of party atmosphere. You will have a good choice of places to go to find entertainment including English style pubs, tavernas, restaurants, bars playing live music and clubs. You won't go short of partying in Kardamena.
A lot of evening entertainment takes place in some of the Island's restaurants and tavernas. Here you will find a very traditional atmosphere, where you and your children will be especially welcomed while you have a very peaceful, and enjoyable meal.
Kos Beaches
Kos has such a wide variety of beaches you will have many decisions to make. Depending on what your choice is, whether you are looking for peace and quiet or an action packed time, you will find something for everyone on Kos.
Some beaches on Kos have Blue Flags which have been awarded for their cleanliness, facilities like sun loungers, toilets and parasols. There are usually toilets and showers on the more organised beaches.
Kalymnos
There are some beaches at Kalymnos which are never too crowded or busy and where you can enjoy a day of pure relaxation and chill out. Absorb yourself in that book you've been meaning to read for a long time, and now is your chance.
Kardamena
The beach at Kardamena is long and with a mixture of sand and shingle you will find it ideal for making those sandcastles. It is an organised beach with a good range of water sports, sun beds and parasols. You won't have to go far to find some refreshments as the beach is lined with plenty of bars and tavernas along the front.
Kefalos
The main beach attracts many tourists each year, although it never gets so busy that you won't be able to find a quiet, isolated spot. The views of the sun rising are said to be stunning, if you are here early enough to spot it, that is. Facilities are good here with water sports, sun beds and parasols being available.
For an even better lazy day on a beach, a short walk away brings you to the beach named Paradise Beach, or Bubble Beach which certainly lives up to its name. Bubble beach has active volcanic jets so the water is like a Jacuzzi. It is a very strange phenomenon that is well worth a visit.
Lambi
Lambi has a magnificent beach which consists of a mixture of sand and shingle. It is a well organised beach with plenty of water sports on offer and alongside the beach front there are plenty of snack bars.
Marmari
It has a wonderful and very sandy beach which is just ideal for building sandcastles, the sea is crystal clear, a perfect blue to match the sky above. The beach is very family friendly and safe for young children.
Mastihari
The beach is idyllic, simply perfect for a day of sun bathing or splashing about in the warm, azure seas. There are a variety of tavernas for you to pull up a chair at mid day to enjoy a pleasant meal with the ambiance of such fantastic surroundings. You will find some fantastic views across to the villages of Kalymnos and Pserimos.
Nea Alikarnassos
The beach is magical and pretty where you can spend time to completely unwind, Nea Alikarnassos really is such a peaceful and undisturbed village, where life is very laid back and slow.
Psalidi
It has a tiny main beach which is a mixture of sand and shingle, it never gets too crowded and the warm water is clean and refreshing. This beach is perfect for families and young children where they can play safely on the shoreline in the calm sea. In the vicinity there are a number of other beaches, some of which have water sports.
There is another beach which is known as Blue Beach and here you will find an area of grass where you can sunbathe and sit without getting sand all over your food or drinks.
Tingaki
The beach is fantastic. It has beautiful clean, white sand that just mixes in your toes as you walk across it. The beach is quiet, so you will always be able to find an isolated, undisturbed spot to sun bathe. There are some sun bathing facilities, and some gentle water sports like wind sailing, as this part of Kos benefits from warm, gentle breezes. The beach is gently shelving so is ideal for young children.
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