Thomai is one of my oldest friends. We sat next to each other at school from the very first grade until the end of high school. Every summer, when people ask me where Thomai went on vacation, the answer is usually a mystery – even to me.
She’s the kind of person who might decide at the last minute, in the car, where she’s going.
But this year was different. Thomai’s niece recently moved to Kos, so for once her destination was clear: she went to the island to visit her. That gave her trip an almost local feel, and through her eyes we got a richer sense of what Kos is really like.
Kos is a place you can enjoy in every season of the year. Known as the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, the island is full of history. The Ancient Asklepieion, where Hippocrates once taught, remains one of its most iconic monuments.
Wandering through town, you pass the Plane Tree of Hippocrates, the mosque in Loggia Square, the Roman Odeon, the elegant Casa Romana with its mosaics, and the imposing Castle of Neratzia by the harbor.
But Thomai’s summer wasn’t only about history. Kos is also famous for cycling – the town has a 13-kilometer bike path along the waterfront and through quiet streets. The highlight is riding along Phoinikon Avenue, next to the castle, with the sea breeze on your face.
She also discovered the island’s wine culture. Just east of town, there are three wineries – Hatzinikolaou, Hatziemmanouil Vineyards, and Ktima Akrani – where you can tour the vineyards and enjoy tastings.
Of course, no Greek summer is complete without beaches and villages. Kos has wide sandy stretches like Tigaki, Marmari, and Mastichari (a favorite for windsurfing). In the mountains, the village of Zia is the perfect spot to watch the sunset, with views stretching to Kalymnos and Pserimos. And in Platani, home to the island’s Muslim community, you find a fascinating mix of Greek and Turkish flavors on the table.
In the evenings, Thomai enjoyed a coffee at H2O, a seaside spot with beautiful views, or fresh fish in Mastichari. She says you need at least six to seven days to really get to know the island – and the best time is June or September, when the weather is ideal and the crowds are smaller.
Kos is also a perfect base for exploring. In summer, ferries connect you to nearby Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Nisyros, and even to Bodrum in Turkey, just a short hop away.
For Thomai, this trip wasn’t just about sightseeing. It was about visiting family, slowing down, and experiencing Kos with an insider’s perspective. And as she told me with a smile: “Anyone who goes to Kos once… will definitely want to go back again.”
Where Kos Belongs and How to Get There
Kos is part of the Dodecanese island group in the southeastern Aegean Sea, close to Kalymnos, Nisyros, and just a short distance from the coast of Turkey.
The island is well connected: you can fly directly to Kos International Airport (Hippocrates) from Athens and many European cities, or arrive by ferry from Piraeus (Athens’ main port) and neighboring islands like Rhodes, Kalymnos, and Symi.
Its location makes Kos both a destination on its own and a perfect base for island-hopping adventures in the Dodecanese.