Kos Town is situated in the north of the island and has a transfer time from the airport of eighty minutes. Built around a busy harbour, beneath the fourteenth century castle built by the Knight’s of St. John to defend the town from marauders, Kos Town is a hotchpotch of historical buildings, ancient remains and traditional tavernas alongside fast food outlets and neon-lit bars. By day it is an attractive town with squares and gardens, wide tree-lined streets and an abundance of palms and flowers. By night, when the sun goes down, the lights begin to flash, the volume rises and the evening entertainment begins.
Kos Town has two beaches providing a variety of water sports, restaurants and tavernas catering for all tastes and a large number of shops to satisfy the most enthusiastic of shoppers. A Kos Town holiday appears to have something for everyone.
Over half of the population of Kos live in Kos Town, a vibrant busy place, full of life and traditional atmosphere. As well as being an interesting historic town with a lively nightlife, it has all the amenities of a beach resort offering a wide range of water sports and recreational activities.
Kos Town is popular with a wide range of ages and interests. Families, couples of all ages and young singles can all find something to entertain them in Kos Town.
The most popular time to visit Kos Town is in the summer, although the season extends from April to the end of October. The temperature range is from 20 to 30 degrees.
Kos Town on the north coast has had a long history which is evident in its ancient ruins and differing architectural styles. The imposing castle above the town looks even more impressive when illuminated at night. The approach to the castle is over a bridge across what used to be the moat. The old town has narrow cobbled streets that open onto pretty squares filled with palms and pots of flowers. The main square, Eleftherias, is closed to traffic and here you will find the Archaeological Museum and the restored Defterdar Mosque. Close to the square is the Agora, an archaeological site that was once the ancient market place. Kos Town is also home to the oldest tree in Europe under which Hippocrates is said to have been taught. This would make the tree twenty-five hundred years old.
The harbour is an attractive area and from here there are excursions to other islands and also to Mainland Turkey. To the north of the harbour is Lambi Beach, comprised of sand and shingle. The water here is clear and warm, ideal for bathing and the wide variety of water sports that are available.
Kos Town has restaurants, tavernas, cafes and fast food outlets catering for most tastes and there are shops galore. Kos nightlife can be as lively or as romantic as you wish. The choice is yours.
Kos Town nightlife is renowned for its vivacity. There are scores of bars and tavernas competing for custom and offering an eclectic mix of music. The neon lights of the bars and discos attract party seekers like moths to a flame. In Kos Town the party continues until dawn.
There are of course many places where those who wish can enjoy a romantic evening in picturesque surroundings.
Kos has a wide variety of shops from exclusive boutiques and specialist shops to the souvenir and gift stores so loved by holidaymakers. The narrow streets of the old town have some delightful little shops where you can purchase good quality mementoes. Popular purchases are leather goods, jewellery, ceramics and embroidered linens.
Kos Town has restaurants, cafes, bars and tavernas catering for every taste from fast food to haute cuisine and from traditional Greek fare to international menus. Traditional food relies heavily on fish and small fried fish, shellfish and kalimari are firm favourites. Lamb and chicken are used most commonly in meat dishes. Fast food stalls such as Souvlatzidiki sell takeaway souvlakis, a type of kebab. For a more substantial snack these are sometimes wrapped in pita bread and called gyros.
The pricier restaurants are in the harbour area overlooking the sea. Local wines are inexpensive and usually very palatable.
Eating in Kos is meant to be an unhurried pleasure, so please don’t mistake the relaxed attitude of waiters for tardy service.
