Greece - Korina Miller [452]
International
In summer daily excursion boats leave at 8.30am from Kos Town to Bodrum in Turkey (return €34, one hour), and return at 4.30pm.
Getting Around
TO/FROM THE AIRPORT
The airport ( 22420 51229) is 24km southwest of Kos Town. An Aegean Airlines bus (€4) ferries passengers from Kos Town, leaving the airline’s office two hours before the Athens flights depart. Kefalos-bound buses also stop at the big roundabout near the airport entrance. A taxi from the airport to Kos Town costs around €22.
BOAT
From Kos Town there are many boat excursions around the island and to other islands. Examples of return fares: Kalymnos €10; Pserimos, Kalymnos and Platy €20; Nisyros €20. There is also a daily excursion boat from Kardamena to Nisyros (€14 return) and from Mastihari to Pserimos and Kalymnos. In Kos Town these boats line the southern arm of Akti Koundourioti.
BUS
The bus station ( 22420 22292; Kleopatras 7, Kos Town) is just west of the Olympic Air office. Buses regularly serve all parts of the island, as well as the all-important beaches on the south side of Kos. A bus to the beaches will cost around €3.60.
CAR, MOTORCYCLE & BICYCLE
There are numerous car, motorcycle and moped-hire outlets; always ask at your hotel as many have special deals with hire companies. Cycling is very popular in Kos and you’ll be tripping over bicycles for hire; prices range from €5 per day for a boneshaker to €10 for a half-decent mountain bike. In Kos Town try George’s Bikes ( 22420 24157; Spetson 48; per day €3) for decent bikes at reasonable prices.
Return to beginning of chapter
KOS TOWN
pop 14,750
Palm-fringed and colourful, with the Castle of the Knights picturesquely perched at its centre, Kos Town’s harbour hints at the lush, vibrant town that spreads beyond it. Located on the northeast coast, Kos Town is the island’s capital and main port. With an abundance of palms, pines, oleander and hibiscus, its lively squares and shopping streets are balanced with impressive Hellenistic and Roman ruins seemingly strewn everywhere. Much of the Old Town was destroyed by an earthquake in 1933 but that which still exists is a wonderful place to wander around, with trendy shops, fantastic restaurants and bars. Even though you probably came to Kos for the beaches rather than the town, you’ll be easily charmed by the capital.
Orientation
The ferry quay is north of the castle and Akti Koundourioti is the street edging the harbour. The central square of Plateia Eleftherias is south of here along Vasileos Pavlou. What’s left of Kos’ Old Town is centred around the pedestrianised Apellou Ifestou.
Southeast of the castle, the waterfront is called Akti Miaouli. It continues as Vasileos Georgiou and then Georgiou Papandreou, which leads to the beaches of Psalidi, Agios Fokas and Therma Loutra.
Information
BOOKSHOPS
News Stand ( 22420 30110; Riga Fereou 2) Sells foreign-language newspapers and publications, as well as guides to Kos.
EMERGENCY
Police ( 22420 22222) Shares the Municipality Building with the tourist police.
Port police (cnr Akti Koundourioti & Megalou Alexandrou)
Tourist police ( 22420 22444)
INTERNET ACCESS
Del Mare ( 22420 24200; Megalou Alexandrou 4; per hr €2; 9am-1am; ) A popular bar with a few computers and wi-fi access.
e-global ( 22420 27911; cnr Artemisias & Korai; per hr €1.70-2; 24hr) Countless computers with rates that vary depending on the time of day.
G-gates ( 22420 26257; cnr Irodotou & Omirou; per hr €2; 9am-midnight) A very comfortable cafe where you can play Scrabble or drink at the bar between email sessions.
inSpot ( 22420 25262; Ioanou Tehologou, Old