Kos Island: 5 Reasons to Visit the Birthplace of Hippocrates
Greece’s Kos Island is the birthplace of Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician who is often referred to as the “Father of Medicine.” Here are ten great reasons why you should visit this destination in the Dodecanese.
Kos Island has a fascinating history, amazing nature, the incomparable Greek Mediterranean cuisine, rich culture, and a wealth of things to do to captivate guests of all ages. Among all the reasons to visit this corner of the world, ten reasons stand out. We begin with the most obvious.
Walk in the footsteps of Hippocrates
Since the Father of Medicine was born on Kos Island, many landmarks are directly connected to him. The Asklepion, the largest of its kind in the world, dominates a hilltop overlooking Kos town. This is where Hippocrates taught and practiced in ancient times and where he founded his famous school.
The Kos Island Asklepion boasts a medical school, patient rooms with decorative statues, baths for hydrotherapy, the Abaton meeting place for the priests who were in charge of patient diagnosis and prognosis, two altars to Apollo (the father) and Asklepios (the son), and the great altar of Asklepios.
The Ancient House Hippocrates Garden is another attraction linked to the father of medicine. Located in Mastichari, about 25 minutes drive from your Astir Odysseus Kos Resort & Spa, it is an exact replica of a traditional home from the fifth century BC. It is a museum and cultural center, which offers a wealth of activities.
The Hippocrates Tree is rather famous. The current attraction known as the platane tree of Hippocrates is an oriental plane (Platanus orientalis) about 500 years old, but supposedly a descendant of the original tree which stood here in the time of Hippocrates. The legend tells that Hippocrates spent hours under the shade of the tree that once stood here.
Discover the rich history of Kos Island
The Kos Island has a checkered past and the best way to discover its history is through exhibits and documentation stored in its museums. In fact, the entire Kos Island has universal historical and cultural value. We can consider many parts of Kos veritable outdoor museums. Casa Romana is a must-see, and so is the Ecclesiastical Museum inside the Old Metropolitan Church of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Holy Metropolis Kos-Nisyros – one of the spiritual landmarks of the island.
Fall in love with the nature of Kos
Once known as the “garden of the Aegean,” Kos Island is still a nature lover’s paradise. It has spectacular landscapes that blend plains, mountains, rolling hills, and pristine beaches in a bucolic harmony hard to resist. Its routes are suitable for hiking, cycling, and young companies offer even safari tours to allow you to venture off the beaten path with all the comfort enabled by motorized vehicles. Kos has a strong reputation as a “cycling island” and you don’t have to worry about finding a bike: there are many shops offering rentals or you can ask your guest relations representative at Astir Odysseus Kos Resort & Spa to assist you in finding the right bike for the right terrain.
Hikers who reach the top of Mount Dikaios will enjoy superlative views. It’s not a long hike: from the right side of the bus parking lot in Zia to the summit there are about 4 km – usually a 3-hour hike. At the top you will also find the Church of Christos Dikaios (Christ the Righteous), also known as the chapel of the Transfiguration of Jesus.
Blue Flag beach experience every time
The Main Beach at Astir Odysseus Kos Resort & Spa is a Blue Flag certified beach and has always been recognized for meeting stringent environmental criteria and offering beachgoers exceptional conditions for sunbathing and water sports. It offers the proper conditions for all kinds of water sports, including jet skiing and jet ski safari. We also offer water bicycles and canoes. Even our youngest guests will enjoy the beach and special activities designed to entertain them.
Even the Kos Marina has Blue Flag certification and you will find Blue Flag beaches all over the island. Don’t miss the ever-popular hot springs and Therma Beach.
Experience authentic Greek lifestyle
All villages on Kos preserve their authentic Koan character and lifestyle. You can experience it anywhere on Kos Island, but some of the most popular and interesting destinations include Asfendiou, Lagoudi-Zia, and Agios Fokas. Each of these villages boasts interesting landmarks and attractions – all worth a day trip from Kos.
Kefalos, the first capital of Kos Island, has two sides: the traditional settlement located at the top of the hill and the coastal part called Kamari, which is the harbor of the village. It’s one of the main tourist resorts of the island and boasts all kinds of attractions, including shops, cafes, and Blue Flag beaches. The municipality itself has authentic villages and pristine nature too. This is where you will find the picturesque, wedding-perfect Kastri Islet.
