Kos holidays

Things to do

Explore the 14th century Castle of the Knights, which overlooks the harbour. Roam the ancient streets in the old quarter of Kos Town, once home to Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. Discover the island's picturesque mountain hamlet of Agios Dimitrios. Explore the Dodecanese islands with a boat trip to nearby Kalymnos, home of the famous sponge fishermen.

Explore your destination

Here's a little taste of what's on offer: for more excursion ideas, speak to your Rep.

Aegean Cruise
A boat trip with a difference, you'll hop aboard a traditional Caique to cruise the Aegean Sea, docking at some of the most beautiful of the Dodecanese Islands for a spot of swimming and snorkelling.

Greek Night
Giving you the chance to learn some Zorba-style dance moves, you'll escape to the mountain village of Zia before heading off for a fun night of traditional Greek food, wine and dance.

Turkey
For a taste of Turkish delight, it's just a short boat ride from Kos to ancient Bodrum, where you'll be able to soak up a little history, hit the shops or pamper yourself with a Turkish bath.

Highlights

• Exploring the two sides of cosmopolitan Kos Town with its crumbling temples and mosaics and its trendy bars and restaurants
• Visiting the island's most important ancient site, Asklepieion. A sanctuary built for the Greek god of healing and once a school of medicine, it has wonderful views of Kos Town
• Discovering Kos's pretty mountain hamlets is a holiday treat, with scenic drives up the northern slopes of Mount Dikaio
• Enjoying a trip to Turkey's Bodrum Peninsula, just a short boat ride away you'll find enchanting villages, sandy beaches and magical sites dating back thousands of years
• Mixing two holidays in one with a day trip to the neighbouring island of Rhodes, filled with historic sites, stunning beaches and a fun-filled atmosphere
• Setting sail for another Dodecanese Island with a boat trip to Kalymnos, home of the famous sponge fishermen
• Getting active on holiday in Kos with a bike ride or horseback trek through the island's countryside
• Heading out to sea, sailing and windsurfing or being lazy on a sun-soaked boat trip, hearing funny stories from your no-doubt chatty skipper
• Wandering around the Castle of the Knights of St John in Kos Town, where you can still see the drawbridge, battlements and gun ports
• Roaming around Kos Town's old quarter in the footsteps of the island's most famous doctor, Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine
• Sitting in the leafy shade of Hippocrates' huge plane tree, in front of the Knights' Castle, Kos Town, where local legends say the famous GP taught under its shady branches

Food and drink

Whether you want to dine in a traditional ouzeri, eat in an inviting fish taverna or go out for pizza, Chinese or Indian, there's every type of restaurant you can think of in Kos Town and Kardamena.

All across Kos, Greek specialities are dished up to hungry holidaymakers; try Krasotiri, cheese baked with red wine; and Ntolmadakia, mince and vegetables wrapped in vine leaves.

If seafood's more your thing, dine out on the cayenne pepper and paprika-spiced fish dish, Burdeta, or, for something really special, enjoy Astakos: soft, sweet lobster.

Other must-tries for your Kos holiday are pickled baby tomatoes, courgette flowers stuffed with rice and, for dessert, sticky honey pastries.

Evening Flavour

Kardamena's the best place for party animals: start your evening in its waterfront cocktail lounges, and then move on to the resort's late-night dance bars and cheesy clubs.

Kos Town also has lots going on for night owls, teeming with bars, clubs and restaurants. You can relax with a few drinks by the harbour or head to the bar streets of Diakon and Nafklirou.

Quieter evenings out are also easy to find in Kefalos, Psalidi or Tingaki, with leisurely dinners in traditional tavernas and drinks in relaxed bars: heaven.

Shopping

Kos Town is gift shop city, with all the handmade jewellery, beautiful ceramics, rugs and goatskin bags you could possibly want. With shops hidden between the mix of ancient and modern architecture, it's a delight to see where you'll stumble across next.

For something a little more unusual, head into Kos Town's old quarter to pick up gifts like olive oil soap, well known for its deep cleansing, and locally produced honey.

Like in other Greek islands, most Kos holiday resorts have good selections of shops selling holiday clothes, jewellery and gifts.

Local weather

Information

Language: Greek. Currency: Euro. Standard GMT: +2hrs. Greek Tourist Office: 4 Conduit Street, London W1S 2DJ. Tel: 020 7495 9300. www.gnto.co.uk

Travel money

Euro
You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Stores and Holiday Hypermarkets.