Location: Kos
Top Things to do in Kos
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What to do and see in Kos, South Aegean: The Best Ancient Ruins
Kos or Cos (English: /kɒs/ or /kɔːs/) (Greek: Κως, Greek pronunciation: [kos]) is a Greek island, part of the Dodecanese island chain in the southeastern Aegean Sea, off the Anatolian coast of Turkey. Kos is the third largest island of the Dodecanese by area, after Rhodes and Karpathos; it has a population of 33,388 (2011 census), making it the second most populous of the Dodecanese, after Rhodes. The island measures 40 by 8 kilometres (25 by 5 miles), and is 4 km (2 miles) from the coast of the ancient region of Caria in Turkey. Administratively, Kos constitutes a municipality within the Kos regional unit, which is part of the South Aegean region. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Kos town.
Restaurants in Kos
1. Paleo Pili
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 366 reviews
Old Byzantine fortress located in the old village of Pili, it is amazing and beautiful, one of the most beautiful places on the island.
Reviewed By j_tizzle87 - London, United Kingdom
This was one of the highlights of our week in Kos. We hired a Jeep from Kos Town and spent the day exploring villages in the mountains and this was the last place we saw. Hardly anyone else around, free to enter (though you should bring some change for the old man who watches the cars), and a fairly quick and easy ascent to the top of the ruin. Views from here are sensational - if someone else is around ask them to take a photo of you taking in the view from the giant hole in the wall, see pic below! Also, the small cafe overlooking the ruin is a great spot to rehydrate and view the castle itself. Worth the extra few steps.
2. The Basilica of Agios Stefanos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By petrosSL - Slough, United Kingdom
Can be accessed from the main road or from the beach. It is nice to be able relax amongst the ancient ruins with great views towards Agios Nikolaos.
3. Eastern Gate of Ancient Agora
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By 82manuelal - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
It was the Hellinistik and the Roman period and had a center of commerce near the port; At this time the Ancient Agora was built and had shops and a large market and places; also Roman Temples were constructed and very nice Roman Villas; a very nice Roman Villa offers a museum, (Casa Romana) ; Later on at Christian and Byzantine times were constructed churches; Kos was and is a wonderful place, so it changed hands many times; The Ancient Agora is a must to visit.
4. Archaelogical Site Of The Harbour Quater-agora
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By 82manuelal - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
So nice to visite the Archaelogical Site of the harbour, if you have time to stroll here it's magic, you discover a lot, be your personal guide, interesting ruins, mosaics, columns, qnd very nice stones of temples, the Agora is a must to visit.
5. Asklepion
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,028 reviews
Reviewed By Stuartallison - Lydbrook, United Kingdom
We walked up here from Kos town; about 5 kilometres from our hotel. The site is very extensive and well maintained. It normally charges a few Euros for entry but we were there during the Covid crisis and entry was free. There are three levels and each has its own charms and interests. It's the most popular visitor centre on Kos but it was relatively quiet when we visited. There's a pleasant shaded bar area where you can relax with a beer or soft drink. And the toilets on site were clean and well cared for. Definitely recommend a visit. There's an extensive car park for those who can't face the climb on foot.
6. Antimachia Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By 82manuelal - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
The Castle of Antimachia is on a hill near Kardamena and overlook the bay and the island in a quit atmosphere, and is constructed by the Johaniter knights; there are an inscription what you can read over the second portal, that the fortress was elarged at last in 1404; the ruins has big walls of a m of large and they are aged of fast 6 centurys; In the midle is a little chapel Ag. Paraskevi; there is a coat of arms of a knight with a date 1520; the little church is closed and will be opened only on 24 July for a feast; By clear and sunny weather the panorama view is splendid and you see to the island Nisseros.
7. Kos Town Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,288 reviews
This was built by knights Templar and is Kos' main tourist attraction.
Reviewed By KimS4145 - Bideford, United Kingdom
Wow what a cute little place, lots of cute shopping streets and plenty of good food places to stop and eat, the harbour is busy at night and looks lovely when all the boats are back from their trips, prices are all reasonable meals range from 8 euros upwards and good portion sizes you can get large beers 500ml for around 2/3 euro cocktails from €6 euros, Kos offers boat trips, beach trips, sunset trips, day trips over to Bodrum in Turkey this was €20 worth a trip but get back to the boat early as you end up queuing in the hot sun for an hour as there is only 2 passport officers so there’s plenty to do. My one biggest grudges is though the bikes Kos is a bicycle friendly island and they hire these out to the tourists in the hundreds they are everywhere they even have their own cycle paths but these are wider than the pavements and encroach on on to the paths so you’ve got to look and look again ..... oh and all the trees are laid in the paths so this makes it difficult to walk safely on the paths too but I would definitely recommend it.
8. Roman Odeon of Kos
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 426 reviews
Reviewed By gpippy
Not too far from the centre of Kos Town, although when it's hot it does feel like a walk. We visited in mid-august and weren't disappointed. Fascinating (from a normal tourist's view) how well preserved the Roman Odeon of Kos remains and fires the gears of your imagination to what has come before the modern day Kos. Essential visit if this is of interest as is the nearby (5 minute walk?) Roman House of Casa Romana which is a slightly larger and more involved historical attraction. A beautiful memory for our family to have viewed these ruins.
9. Western Archaeological Zone
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 300 reviews
Reviewed By JasperG2000 - Surrey, United Kingdom
It is amazing that anyone can walk for free through these ruins into houses and sometimes with mosaics. In most countries it would all be roped off.
10. Agios Paraskevi
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
