Getting to know the island

After paying your respects to the Asklepieion and to the memory of that inspired teacher, Hippocrates, you'll want to visit some of the island's delightful villages. Some are nestled in the hills with wonderful view of the sea, others are spread out in verdant valleys or along enticing beaches near a monument or site from another era to spark your interest further. One of the most attractive villages, Asfendiou (14 km. S of town), is actually a cluster of five hamlets. Built on the slopes of Mt. Dikeos, it has dazzling white houses, flower-filled courtyards and Byzantine churches. Then there s Tingaki (14 km. W of town), on the coast opposite the island of Pserimos and Pili (17 km. SW of town) surrounded by green fields, where a ruined Byzantine fortress shelters a church dedicated to the Virgin within its walls.

But don't forget Antimahia (25 km. from town) built on a plateau near the island's airport and Mastihari, its second largest port. Just 3 kilometres from here is a Venetian castle and two well-preserved Byzantine churches enclosed within it. Marmari is a pretty fishing hamlet on the west coast. while Kardamena (29 km. SW of town), in contrast, is a modern resort with a pleasant layout, an interesting Byzantine church and the remains of a Hellenistic theatre. Finally, there's Kefalos, 43 kilometres from Kos town on the southwest tip of the island, where the main road from the capital terminates. The spotless white of the houses coupled so harmoniously with the green surroundings is the dominant feature of this hill village. The way down to the little port of Kamari (1 km.) may be steep, but it's very picturesque. At a spot called Palatia near here lie the ruins of Astypalaia, the ancient capital of the island, while the Aspri Petra cave in the vicinity contained objects dating as far back as the Neolithic era. No description of Kos would be complete without special mention of the highly developed resort area so popular with tourists that stretches from Lambi beach to Agios Fokas and Thermes, southeast of town.