Kos
Your holiday destination
Destinations you can visit from Linz Airport
Kos is the third largest of the Dodecanese islands, after Rhodes and Karpathos, and is located in the eastern Aegean Sea. The birth island of Hippocrates, the famous ancient physician, lies within sight of the Turkish west coast. Couples, groups or solo travellers – the island is perfect for any kind of holidaymaker. Families in particular appreciate the heartfelt hospitality there, and partygoers enjoy the hustle and bustle in the island's capital, Kos Town.
Holidays on Kos
A diverse holiday destination full of beaches, culture, and party venues
The Greek island, which is extremely popular with holidaymakers, offers a mix of wonderful beaches, a turquoise blue sea and picturesque villages. It pays to take a rental car and explore the long yet narrow island with a total length of only 45 kilometres. The best thing about it is that you almost never lose sight of the sea while exploring.
Kos Town is particularly charming – life seems to pulsate there, especially in the suburb of Lambi with its many bars, tavernas and pubs. It attracts lots of young people and those that have remained young at heart. If you take a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, you will find traces of bygone times everywhere. The open-air taverna Ampávris is well worth a visit. It’s located in the rustic garden of a country house and offers freshly prepared culinary delicacies of the highest quality.
You also definitely don’t want to miss a visit to the Embros thermal baths. Another highlight: a trip to the highest point of the island, with its fantastic views over the whole island and the picturesque mountain village of Zia. That’s where you can taste original Greek specialities in the Oromedon taverna and treat yourself to a glass of traditional island wine. Wine connoisseurs will also enjoy a guided tour of the oldest winery in Kos, Hatziemmanouil. It will certainly convince you of the quality of the local “grape juice”.
Kos is also the perfect bathing island. You will find beaches wherever you look. Psalidi Beach in the north of the island offers cosy bays, quaint beach restaurants and stylish bars. Paradis Beach, also called "Bubble Beach" because of the small bubbles created by volcanic gases, is in the south of the island. The beautiful sandy beach of Marmari Beach is as popular with families as it is with kite surfers, windsurfers and sailors, who almost always find perfect wind conditions there. One of the most photographed beaches is Agios Stefanos Beach in the south of Kos. It's not just the fine light sandy beach and clear water that make it incredibly beautiful – it’s also the picturesque view of the island of Kastri with its little blue and white chapel directly opposite the beach. To the west of Kos on the Kefalos peninsula, you'll find secluded coves and enjoy undisturbed swimming fun.
Popular sights and attractions on Kos
· Plane tree of Hippocrates: 500-year-old oriental tree (plane tree) in the centre of Kos town. The natural monument bears the name of the ancient doctor.
- Kos Archaeological Museum: has a nice selection of finds from antiquity on display
- Casa Roman: villa in the island's capital, Kos Town. It was built in the 3rd century BC and has three beautiful courtyards.
- Embros thermal baths: sulphur-rich water with a temperature of about 50 to 80 degrees flows into the ocean in a bay – a bathing experience of the extraordinary kind
- Plaka Forest: small forest area west of the airport, home to impressive peacocks
- Asklepieion Temple: small temple complex on several terraced levels
- Agios Nicolaos Basilica: pretty basilica built on an island in front of the beach of Agios Stefanos
- Zia: picturesque little mountain village in the centre of Kos, surrounded by pine forests and olive groves – perfect for a sunset dinner
- Paleo Pyli Castle Ruins: historical ruins with a fantastic view
- Lido Water Park: water park in the north of the island
Ideal travel time
The months of May, June and September are extremely pleasant for a holiday stay, as it can get very hot in July and August. With average daytime temperatures of over 30 degrees in summer, holidaymakers can really break a sweat. The pleasant water temperatures of around 25 degrees are ideal for swimming in the sea. Depending on the time of year, the Meltemi, a strong wind that blows twice a day, cools down the beaches of Kos.
