Holiday in Kos

What makes Kos special as a destination?

Kos, the third largest island of the Dodecanese, combines ancient healing arts with dreamy beaches and a surprisingly green landscape. As the birthplace of Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine, Kos is home to the Asklepieion, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece — the ancient healing center is located on three terraces on a hillside and offers a breathtaking view over the strait to the Turkish coast. In Kos Town stands the famous Plane Tree of Hippocrates, under which he allegedly taught his students. The mighty walls of the Knights of St. John fortress Neratzia guard the harbor, while in the old town, Ottoman mosques stand alongside ancient Roman villas with colorful floor mosaics — a living history book in a small space. The island's beaches are among the most beautiful in the Aegean: Paradise Beach and Camel Beach in the south offer fine sand and crystal-clear water, while the thermal beach at Agios Fokas, with its hot volcanic springs, provides a unique bathing experience right by the sea. At Bros Therma Bay, hot spring water naturally mixes with the cool Aegean Sea. With only 4 km to the Turkish coast, day trips to Bodrum are possible. The island is ideal for cycling due to its flat terrain, and the charming mountain villages of Zia and Asfendiou in the Dikeos Mountains surprise with traditional taverns and panoramic views. Best travel time: May to October.