Travel Guide Kos Ville

Founded in 366 B.C., the ancient city of Kos was, according to Strabo, the most beautiful coastal town in the world - and that's saying a lot! Today, many of the ancient sites are still visited with admiration, and the modern city exudes a certain charm. Kos-ville, in the northeast of the island, is drowned in red hibiscus and lined with palm trees, its wide cobbled avenues run along a waterfront of superb Italianate buildings, while in the heart of the city, ancient ruins and mosques with high minarets delight the eye. The city is not very big, but it gives an impression of grandeur. If the first impression you get on arriving at the port is of the austere fortress of the Knights, don't be fooled: Kos is a cheerful, nonchalant town. It's also ultra-touristy and overflows a little in season: those who prefer peace and quiet can take a deep breath and concentrate on the town's unique heritage. The town can be visited on foot or by bike, and the first beaches can be found nearby, between the large stretches of sand to the north of Kos-ville, in the Lambi area, and the windsurf, kitesurf and wingfoil spots exposed to the wind, in the Psalidi area, to the south.