Kos is the third largest island of the Dodecanese, long and flat, facing Turkey's Bodrum peninsula. Hippocrates was born here, the physician who separated medicine from magic and to whom the oath still sworn by doctors is attributed. After the 1933 earthquake Italian archaeologists uncovered large parts of the ancient city, which now emerge among houses and streets.
What to see
| Place | Why |
|---|---|
| Asklepieion | Sanctuary of Asclepius and medical school on three terraces, 4 km from town |
| Plane tree of Hippocrates | An old plane tree where, by tradition, Hippocrates taught |
| Neratzia Castle | Fortress of the Knights of St John at the harbour entrance |
| Agora and Decumanus | Ruins of the ancient city in the modern centre, with the Casa Romana |
| Zia | Mountain village famous for its sunsets |
| Antimachia | Knights' castle inland |
Beaches
Beaches are long and sandy: Tigaki and Marmari in the north, Kardamena in the south, and around Kefalos the bays of Paradise, Agios Stefanos (with an early Christian basilica and the islet of Kastri) and Camel Beach. At Therma hot water flows from the rock into the sea. The island is flat and good for cycling.
Getting there
The airport has summer charters from many European cities and flights from Athens. Ferries link Kos with Piraeus, Rhodes and nearby islands; trips to the volcano of Nisyros leave from Kardamena.
See also Greek science and Kalymnos.