To decide whether the Greek island of Kos can provide a holiday to remember, we sent Chloe Addo to visit the island, taking in sights such as the famous Asklepieion of Kos, the quaint village of Zia and the vibrant nightlife.

Kos Guide: Travel to Kos

The Greek island of Kos is situated in the Aegean Sea and stretches just 40 km by 8 km. This tiny island lies in close proximity to Turkey and the island of Kalymnos. Both destinations can be reached by boat trips to and from Kos on a regular basis, making the island an ideal base if you fancy a mini expedition around the islands.

Kos is rich in history and home to plenty of intriguing Greek mythology. For these reasons there are a number of historical must see spots, ancient ruins and wonderful architecture.

The island can easily be explored in one day by car or coach, however, regular breaks are recommended as temperatures on the island can get extremely high and spending hours in a car and coach can become quite uncomfortable.

A Guide to the Greek Islands: Where is Kos?

To see the location of Kos, Click here.

Kos Guide: What to See on Kos

There are a variety of attractions in Kos, with sights and activities sure to suit all tastes. We list the highlights of Kos below.

The Attractions of Kos: Kos Town

Kos Town is located in the north east of the island, surrounded by a busy harbour. The town is overflowing with shops, restaurants, cafes, picturesque sights and a harbour stacked with eye catching sail boats. From eating out to a relaxed stroll through the streets of Kos Town, there is plenty to see and do in this fairly large town.

A striking feature in Kos Town is the medieval Castle of Neratzia, also known as the Castle of the Knights of St John. The castle sits near the harbour entrance and is a sight well worth visiting.

The Attractions of Kos: Asklepion

One of the most famous attractions on Kos is the Askelpion (as pictured below), a grand archaeological site once dedicated to the son of the Greek God Apollo - Asklepios.

Asklepios was the god of medicine and was worshipped by men, women and all the other Greek gods. To honour him the people of Kos built the Asklepieia - a large complex filled with grand pillars, statues and more. The centre soon offered both treatments and prescriptions combined with spirit healing, to all of those who came to pay homage to the god of medicine.

The site has been visited by thousands over the years and remains a popular tourist site to this day. The region is magnificent to the eye and sits 100 metres above sea level. Several grand steps lead up to the top of the Askepieion and it is surrounded with ancient treatment rooms, carved pictures and old ruins. Once you reach the peak of the Asklepieion it is possible to look out to the Aegean Sea and across the island of Kos - a beautiful sight and well worth the walk.

The Attractions of Kos: Zia Village

The charming mountain village of Zia is perfect for those who wish to embark on some light shopping, easy walking and test out customary must-haves such as the traditional Kos Cinnamon drink.

The town has two main streets lined with food stalls, jewellery shops and unique souvenirs. Towards the end of the cobbled streets there are several local restaurants and cute cafés, with some sitting further upland offering more great views of Kos and the surrounding islands.

While there is a lot to see and do in the village, there is no need to spend longer than a few hours in the village. Those who enjoy their walks however are sure to discover many tiny passages to explore on the outskirts of the village.

The Attractions of Kos: The Plane (Platane) Tree of Hippocrates

The Plane Tree of Hippocrates is situated in the centre of Kos town. Growing for over two and a half thousand of years, legend has it that the father of medicine, known as Hippocrates, taught his students under this tree. Nowadays many visit the site which has also become the centre of many special events on the island.

Kos Beaches - Best Kos Beaches

Like most Greek islands, Kos boasts a number of lovely beaches, complete with golden sand and rich blue waters.

If you happen to travel the full length of the island then you may like to stop off at the secluded bay of Kamari. The beach is very small and can be found in the west of Kos in Kefalos. The beach of Kamari is best for BBQs and some light paddling but not sunbathing - the particularly strong winds in the west make it difficult to sunbathe without getting lots of sand in you’re eyes and mouth!

Kos Guide: Nightclubs of Kos

While Kos is home to many ancient ruins and beaches, it is also famed for is non stop nightlife. Kos Town is rammed with bars, clubs, cocktail offers and late night restaurants. While the southern resort of Kardamena is also a popular drinking spot for international clubbers.

A Guide to the Greek Islands: Travelling to Kos

There are a number of airlines that make regular flights to and from the UK and Kos, including Freedom flights, XL Airways, easyJet and flythomascook. Journey time between the UK and Kos stands at around 4 hours if not less.

A Guide to the Greek Islands: Holiday Deals to Kos

For holiday deals to Kos you may like to visit the following sites:

www.lastminute.com

www.directline-holidays.co.uk

www.ulookubook.com

www.holidayhypermarket.co.uk

A Guide to the Greek Islands: Cruise Holidays to Kos

Entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of low cost airline easyJet, has an additional flourishing sector under his belt known as easyCruise. easyCruise offer week long holidays around the med which also give travellers most of the day and night to explore the many islands visited during the week.

One route up and running is the Aegean Sea and Turkey cruise, which makes a lengthy stop in Kos. For those who would to explore many of the Greek islands in one visit a cruise is an ideal way to see lots of places in a short space of time. For more information on cheap easyCruise holidays go to: EasyCruise Life.

A Guide to the Greek Islands: Would You Recommend Kos

With so much to see and do on the island of Kos, a holiday to this Greek treasure is definitely recommended.