Greece - Korina Miller [455]
Drinking & Entertainment
On weekends locals congregate at Plateia Eleftherias from morning till night to drink coffee and gossip in the many cafes. Kos’ nightlife geared for partying tourists is centred a block south of the harbour, along Diakou. There’s also a plethora of similar bars along the waterfront on Kritika Beach. Along this stretch is Valia’s Place where you can drink and listen to live music with the locals until the sun comes up. If you’re looking for clubs, they pass in and out of favour so just follow the crowds.
Aenaos ( 22420 26044; Plateia Eleftherias) Built into the side of a mosque, this tiny place has red velvet sofas inside and a huge sea of tables beneath a tree outside. Sit for hours with coffees and fresh juices or something a little stronger in the evening.
Envy ( 22420 00827; Grigoriou) Denlike, with cool blue cube lighting, red chandeliers and velvet sofas, local DJs pump Greek and English music out of this traditional stone building until the wee hours.
Kantouni Music Cafe ( 22420 22862; Apellou 12) Popular with locals, this little place has a well-stocked bar and plays Greek pop music. Revellers squeeze inside or sit at the roadside tables.
Bittersweet ( 22420 26003; Apellou Ifestou) Disguised as a simple crêperie from the outside, inside you’ll find a lounge-like affair with moody lighting, sofas, a fantastic garden and almost anything you can dream of drinking. Not surprisingly, the music is lounge.
Global Cafe ( 22420 26044; Ioannidi) Painted like a Tibetan monastery but belting out less than peaceful music, this backpacker-style cafe serves cocktails, coffees and teas. Relax on the small patio beneath palm and banana trees.
Orfeas ( 22420 25036; www.cine-orfeas.gr; Plateia Eleftherias; tickets adult/child €7/5) If you’re suffering movie withdrawal, this cinema shows English films with Greek subtitles along with some local flicks.
Shopping
For high street-style-shops head to the eastern end of Ioannidi and the pedestrian streets south of Ippokratous. For more boutique options, visit the western end of Ioannidi, just north of the Old Town. Dimoiki Dorag (Plateia Eleftherias) is a market with local honey, preserves, spices and herbs that make great souvenirs.
Getting Around
BUS
Urban buses depart from Akti Miaouli and have two ticket prices: Zone A (€0.80) and Zone B (€1). Tickets from vending machines are slightly cheaper than those bought on board. You’ll find one in front of the Blue Star Ferries office on the harbour. For schedules, check the Local Bus Office.
TAXI
Taxis congregate at a stand on the south side of the port.
TOURIST TRAIN
In summer, a good way to get your bearings is to hop on the city’s vehicular Tourist Train’s city tour (€4, 20 minutes), which runs from 10am to 2pm and 6pm to 10pm, starting from the bus station on Akti Kountouriotou. You can also take a train to the Asklipieion and back (€3.50), departing on the hour from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday, from the bus stop on Akti Miaouli.
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AROUND KOS
Kos’ main road runs southwest from Kos Town, with turn-offs for the mountain villages and the resorts of Tingaki and Marmari. Between the main road and the coast is a quiet road, ideal for cycling, which winds through flat agricultural land as far as Marmari.
The nearest decent beach to Kos Town is the crowded Lambi Beach, 4km to the northwest and an extension of Kritika Beach. Further round the coast is a long, pale-sand stretch of beach, divided into Tingaki, 10km from Kos Town, and Marmari Beach, 14km west and slightly less crowded. Windsurfing is popular at all three beaches. In summer there are boats from Marmari to the island of Pserimos.
Vasileos Georgiou in Kos Town leads to the three busy beaches of Psalidi, 3km from Kos Town, Agios Fokas (8km) and Therma Loutra (12km). The latter has hot mineral springs that warm the sea.
Asklipieion Ασκληπιεο
The island’s most important ancient site is the Asklipieion ( 22420 28763; Platani; adult/student €4/3; 8am-7.30pm Tue-Sun), built