In Kos Town, ancient history and a clearly described cycling route take centre stage. Other topics, such as hiking, nature watching and local products, relate to the island of Kos as a whole.
Ancient Agora and Stadium
In ancient times, the Ancient Agora of Kos was the island’s administrative, commercial and social centre. It also contributed to many of the island’s most important archaeological finds. The ancient stadium adds another dimension: it was the venue for Kos’s most important athletic competitions in honour of Zeus and Athena. Together, the two sites represent different aspects of ancient life—urban organisation and trade, as well as competition and religious honour.
Cycling in the City and on the Island
A 13-kilometre cycling route runs along the seafront promenade from Faros Beach in the east to Psalidi Beach in the west. A turn-off leads inland via Hippocratous Avenue and Vasileos Pavlou Avenue, connecting important archaeological sites. The route therefore combines a stretch along the seafront promenade with a turn-off inland.
Across the island of Kos, the municipal tourism portal presents ten cycling routes. They range from completely flat to mountainous and mixed routes, as well as unpaved and steep ones; the selection caters to all ability levels. This island-wide selection is distinct from the specific 13-kilometre route through Kos Town. If you are also considering a hike alongside cycling, Mount Dikeos offers another island perspective: at 846 metres, it is the highest mountain on Kos, and a well-maintained, marked hiking trail starts in Zia.
Nature and Water Sports on Kos
The Psalidi wetland is a seasonal refuge for migratory birds. Its features include lush vegetation and purpose-built paths for observing wildlife. The Psalidi region also offers all kinds of water sports. On Kos, facilities for water sports and water-based leisure activities can be found at almost every beach—an island-wide offering that extends beyond the town’s attractions.
A distinction is also important when it comes to the tree known as the Plane Tree of Hippocrates: it has been a protected natural monument since 1985, but whether it really is Hippocrates’ tree is disputed. Its protected status and the uncertain attribution are two separate aspects of its history.
Local Products and Getting Around
On the island of Kos, visitors can visit beekeeping farms, taste honey and learn about the production process firsthand. Another local speciality is Krasotyri from Kos: this white cheese, protected under the PGI designation, is made from sheep’s or goat’s milk and aged in grape pomace for at least one month. Visits to beekeeping farms offer insight into production and tasting; for the cheese, the focus is on its origin, milk and ageing.
Local KTEL buses run from every settlement on Kos, with numerous regular services to Kos Town. Check the timetable for your travel dates before planning a journey. When choosing accommodation, it may help to decide on your main focus first: Kos Town for the ancient sites and the described seafront route, or an itinerary that also takes in cycling and nature destinations across the island, beekeeping visits and local products.
Discover more destinations: Mandrákion, Tigkaki, Asfendiou, Antimachia, Pali, Nikia, Kefalos, Mastichari.
View the main travel overview: Kos.
