Kos Town

Located in the north eastern end of the island, a bustling town with a picturesque harbour, beaches and many seafront tavernas and bars.The narrow lanes of the old town wind up from the harbour with colourful gift shops and cafes and at one end you'll find many traditional tavernas all gathered together serving local dishes.The flat tree lined roads are perfect for both cycling and walking with the historical sites mingling with modern buildings around them. (See "Archaelogical sites"). A lively night life with music bars and a choice of outdoor and indoor discos and nightclubs. Accommodation to suit all from the superior deluxe hotels to apartment blocks, hostel type rooms and the very friendly smaller family run hotels. There is a very reliable local bus service which runs frequently into the town centre.

Thermal springs

Archaeological sites

Kos has so much to offerin the way of archaeological sitesand access to them is either fre or very inexpensive. Listed below are a selection of the more prominent sites in Kos Town, although there are ancient ruins all over the island.

Remember that all over Greece including Kos sites are closed on a Monday. So best plan around this day and something else to bear in mind the earlier the better as as the sun gets hotter it can be unbearable at times.

• Asclepion
  Situated on a pine-clad hill 4km from the town. The Asclepion was a temple of worship, health and art. Dedicated to the God, Asclepios, it dates back to probably the 4th Century BC. Hippocrates practiced medicine here and founded his own school. It was he who placed medicine at the service of mankind and wrote many books whilst studying various ailments and methods of treating them. Outstanding amongst his many achievements is the "Hippocratic Oath" still adhered to today by all the doctors of the world.
• Castle
  Built between 1391 and 1396 the castle is situated in the centre of Kos Town, alongside the harbour. Built from all kinds of ancient stone and marble it was used mainly to defend the town against the Turks during the time of the Order of the Knights of St. John.
• The Plane Tree of Hippocrates
  Situated just off the harbour at the entrance to the bridge that leads to the castle. Tradition says that Hippocrates taught his students under this tree
• Ancient City
  Located 50m south of the Plane Tree, these ancient ruins dating from4th century BC are made up of an early Christian Basilica, temples of Pandemos, Aphrodite, Heracles and the Agora
• Gymnasium of Xystos
  Located next to the main road on the outskirts of the town. These ruins date back to 4th/3rd century BC. There are seventeen restored columns of white marble, in Doric style, remains of the Western Warm Baths from the Roman era; over which an early Christian Basilica was built and notable mosaics.
   
• Odeon
  Opposite the Gymnasium, a theatre which was discovered in 1929 during the Italian occupation, is adequate proof of the artistic standards of the Koans.
• Casa Romana
  Located a short distance from the Odeon on the same side of the road is the restored Roman House. A Pompeii style house, it has richly decorated marble floors, wall frescoes, mosaics and columns.
• The Archaeological Museum of Kos
  Situated in Eleftheria Square in the centre of the town. It houses many treasures from both Hellenistic and Roman times, dating back to 3rd century BC