Kos · Towns & villages
Harbour towns, mountain hamlets and the places where island life still follows its own rhythm.
Harbour town of knights, ruins and palm trees
The island's capital wraps around Mandraki harbour, under the walls of the Knights' castle. Ancient ruins lie open in the middle of town, between Italian-era squares, bicycle lanes and the old lanes of the Ottoman quarter.
Mountain village where Kos comes to watch the sun go down
A small village in the pine and cypress forest on the slopes of Mt Dikaios, looking west over the plain, the sea and the islands. Its lanes fill with herb and honey stalls by day and with sunset tables in the evening.
Farming village below a Byzantine castle
A working village on the green northern slopes of Mt Dikaios, with a square around a spring. Above it, the ruins of Old Pyli and its Byzantine castle stand on a crag in the pine forest.
Plateau village with a windmill and a castle
The village at the island's centre, near the airport, keeps a working windmill, a restored traditional house and, a few kilometres south, the huge walls of a castle built by the Knights of St John.
Busy beach village on the south coast
A fishing village that grew into the island's liveliest summer resort, with long sandy beaches on both sides. Boats leave its small harbour for the volcanic island of Nisyros.
Fishing harbour on the north coast
A low-key village with a fishing harbour, a long sandy beach backed by tamarisk trees and small ferries to Kalymnos. The tavernas by the harbour are known for fresh fish.
Hill village above the islet of Kastri
At the island's south-western tip, Kefalos sits on a ridge above Kamari bay. Below it are the islet of Kastri, the ruins of the Agios Stefanos basilicas and some of the best beaches on Kos.
Regions
01
Kos Town
The harbour capital with its castle and ancient ruins, plus Lambi, Psalidi, Agios Fokas and the hot springs at Therma.
02
Mountain villages
Zia, Pyli and the Asfendiou villages on the green slopes of Mt Dikaios, with forest walks and sunset views.
03
Central Kos
Tigaki and Marmari on the north coast, Mastichari's fishing harbour, Antimachia on its plateau and the long sands of Kardamena.
04
Kefalos peninsula
The wild south-western tip: Kefalos village, Kamari bay, the islet of Kastri and the island's best beaches.
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