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Looking for things to do in Kos Town? The Bumper Crew has it covered! Situated on the Greek island of Kos, this charming town offers many exciting activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a beach lover, or someone seeking vibrant nightlife, Kos Town has something for everyone. We’ve also put a post together about the best things to do in Kos, plus a Kos itinerary if you’re staying on the island for a few days and want to make the most of it.
Things to Do in Kos Town
Kos Town is, unsurprisingly, the capital of Kos Island and is a destination that seamlessly blends ancient history with modern charm. Its rich historical heritage, stunning beaches, and vibrant atmosphere attract visitors from around the world. Let’s delve into the top things to do in Kos Town.
There are one of two things just a short distance outside of Kos Town that require some form of transport to get there, hence why they aren’t on this list of things to do in Kos Town, but they might be of interest to you. They are:
- Therma Beach – a small pool full of hot water from a hot spring. It’s unique on the island and certainly worth a visit if you can get there. It’s a short drive east of Kos Town. You’ll find it on our list of things to do in Kos.
- Asklipieio Kos – this is another archaeological site, but unlike the ones below, you have to pay for entry.
Back to Kos Town – read on to discover the best things to do in Kos Town!
1 | Visit Old Town
Old Town was our favourite part of Kos Town. It’s not very big – only a few streets, but the streets are cute. They are narrow, as you’d expect from a traditional Greek town, and these days are full of souvenir and boutique shops, plus a few restaurants. Head to the very top of Old Town, where you’ll find the cutest restaurants, and you won’t be far away from a few of the archaeological sites.
2 | Explore the Port
The port of Kos Town is the beating heart of the capital. It’s vibrant, well cared for, has shops, eateries, and bike hire and is the place you’ll catch some boat trips from, such as the 3-island boat trip. You’ll also find some little fishing boats among the larger tourist boats, of which some can be hired for fishing trips. You might even catch a glimpse of a small Greek warship.
Explore the Archeological Sites
If you’re a fan of ancient Greek history and architecture, you’ll want to visit the archaeological sites of Kos Town, of which there are quite a few! All of them are free to enter, which is a bonus.
3 | Ancient Agora
First up is the Ancient Agora, dating back to the 5th century BC, and was the central meeting place for the people of Kos. It was the place of political assemblies, social gatherings, and commercial activities in the town. These days, you can explore the ruins of the agora, take a stroll, soak up the history, and enjoy this bit of landscape in the town centre.
4 | Visit Neratzia Castle
Neratzia Castle dates back to the 14th century and has a rich history, having been constructed by the Knights Hospitaller and occupied by various rulers over the centuries. But now, it’s a popular tourist attraction that offers some great views over Kos Town, the port and the promenade.
5 | Roman Odeon of Kos
The Roman Odeon of Kos is an ancient amphitheatre that dates back to the 2nd century AD. It was originally used for musical performances and other cultural events and could seat up to 750 spectators. Today, it’s a popular tourist attraction that offers a glimpse into the island’s rich history. The site has been partially restored, and you can explore the remains of the theatre and chambers underneath.
6 | Western Archaeological Zone
The Western Archaeological Zone, as indicated by Google Maps, is home to three different sites, although they all blend into one. They are the Hellenistic Gymnasium, Ancient Gymnasium and Ancient Hippodrome, and sit on the opposite side of the main road to the Roman Odeon of Kos.
7 | Casa Romana
Casa Romana is one of the more well-known archaeological sites in Kos Town. It sits between two car parks and would be easy to miss if you were walking along the main road. Casa Romana is famous for its well-preserved ruins of a Roman villa dating back to the 3rd century AD. The villa was discovered by accident in the early 20th century and has since been restored to its former glory.
8 | Archeological Museum
If you haven’t had enough of archaeology in Kos Town, you can visit the Archeological Museum. The museum is located right in the heart of Kos Town in Eleftherias Central Square and boasts an impressive collection of artefacts collected from the archaeological sites around Kos Town.
The museum features exhibits that range from the Mycenaean and Classical periods to the Hellenistic and Roman eras, and you can feast your eyes on pottery, sculptures, jewellery, and other items that have all been found during the excavations. There’s an entry fee of a few Euros, which is reduced if you happen to be visiting in winter!
9 | See the Plane Tree of Hippocrates
Undoubtedly, the Plane Tree of Hippocrates is one of Kos Town’s and the island’s most famous landmarks. Legend has it that it was planted by the father of modern medicine himself over 2000 years ago. Unfortunately, that legend isn’t true because the tree there today is roughly 500 years old, although it’s likely a descendant of the original tree. It’s also hollowed out and supported by a metal framework, which looks a bit odd. Sadly, the square it lives in could do with a bit of TLC. You can’t miss the tree – you must pass it to enter Neratzia Castle.
10 | Walk the Promenade
If you’re done with walking around the town, head down to the promenade for a little stroll. Down there, you’ll find one of Kos Town’s most iconic buildings – the whitewashed government building built in the 1930s. It’s a great-looking building and best viewed from the jetty opposite.
If you continue down the promenade, you’ll find another entrance to the Ancient Agora, a few other restaurants and the beach.
11 | Visit the Church of Agia Paraskevi
The last of our things to do in Kos Town is to visit the Church of Agia Paraskevi. It’s the largest in Kos Town, and you might hear it referred to as Kos Town Cathedral, although it doesn’t have the grandeur of a cathedral you might find elsewhere.
Things to do in Kos Town Map
Here’s a map of the things to do in Kos Town to help plan your visit and route. A lot of the places are close by, making it easy to navigate your way around the town to see all of the things you want.
That concluded our things to do in Kos Town post. Don’t forget to check out the posts below to dig a bit deeper into other things to do in Kos, plus a Kos itinerary of how to spend a week on the island.
Read: Things to Do in Kos
Read: Kos Itinerary
Things to Do in Kos Town FAQs
How long do I need in Kos Town
Five hours is plenty of time in Kos Town to explore all of the things to do in Kos Town. It isn’t very big, and most of the interesting things are close to one another.
Is Kos Town worth visiting?
Yes, Kos Town is worth visiting. If you’re on the island, you should take the time to visit the island’s capital and check out the things to do, from archaeological sites to the Plane Tree of Hippocrates.
Things to Do in Kos Town
- Visit Old Town
- Explore the Port
- Ancient Agora
- Visit Neratzia Castle
- Roman Odeon of Kos
- Western Archaeological Zone
- Casa Romana
- Archaeological Museum
- See the Plane Tree of Hippocrates
- Walk the Promenade
- Visit the Church of Agia Paraskevi
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