Practical information and traveling tips
• Language: Greek (but English is widely used in places of tourist interest).
• Currency: Euro.
• Greek Time: GMT+2 (or CET+1).
• Greece calling code: 0030.
• Local (Kos) calling code: 22420.
• Banks: All major Greek banks have branches and operate ATMs in Kos town and in other towns in the island. Bank opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 14:30 and Friday from 8:00 to 14:00.
• Police: Kos Town police station: Tel: 22420 24444; Antimacheia police station: Tel: 22420 24444 and Airport Police Station: Tel: 22420 56051.
• Health Care: Kos General Hospital, 3 Mitropoleos Street, Kos Town, Tel: 22420 28050 / Ambulance: 22420 22300.
 
• Power supply: The power supply in Greece is 220 V AC at 50 Hz and sockets in use are with two round pins.
• Access: Kos can be accessed by boat from Pireaus and other Greek ports as well as from the Turkish port of Bodrum (port authority tel: 22420 26594-5). Greek and international airlines operate in the International Airport of Kos (tel: 22420 56000 and 22420 51591-51567).
• Transportation: A dense network of buses operates in the island (bus station tel: 22420 22292). Also taxis and radiotaxis (tel: 22420 22777, 22420 23333-4, 22420 21666) are available in many different places on the island. Many visitors though choose to rent cars from the many car rentals that operate in the island.
• Climate: The climate of Kos is typical Mediterranean with lots of sunshine, long hot summers, and mild winters.

Description of Kos
Kos. The birthplace of Europe, the mythical nymph who gave her name to the continent, home of the Medical Science, Asclepius and Hippocrates.
In Kos town, minarets of Turkish mosques after the Ottoman occupation stand alongside grand Italian mansions and massive walls of a Crusader fortress. Brilliantly colored flowers and palms embellish the streets, squares, and ancient monuments. The town is an archeological repository of Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman ruins.
During daytime some of the most interesting cultural sites to visit are the Asclepion, the Castle Nerantzia or Castle of the Knights of St. John, the Avenue of palms, the Ancient Agora, the ancient Odeon, the ancient gym Xisto, Casa Romana, the Roman Museum and the perennial plane tree of Hippocrates.
When the night falls the famous nightlife of the island can meet everyone’s preference. Do watch a movie at outdoor cinema where smoking is aloud and the background of the screen is embellished with shouting stars.
For your cultural pursuits every summer are held the Hippocratic Events during which are taking place many theatrical performances, concerts and art exhibitions and at specific dates at the Asklepieion is recited the oath of Hippocratis in ancient Greek.

Fests
Enjoyable experiences are festivals organized at the villages at specific days. The Shepherd’s fest in mid-July in Antimachia, the Honey fest in late August, in early September the Wine fest, the Ouzo and last but not least the Fish fest in Kardamena in September, where the visitors can taste local delicacies offered.
 

Festivities
The culture of a nation is based on its tradition. Do visit one or more of the festivities organized around the island. As Greek tradition dictates the natives celebrate and honor with festivities the Orthodox Saints on their name day.
They rig with care amazing traditional dishes (eg homemade spaggetti with domestic meat) and accompanied by a tirelessly orchestra are partying till dawn. In most of the festivities the charge is 5 to 10 euros for food including a drink.
The most popular festivities are those of St.John’s Kleidona on June the 23rd in Eleftherias Square in Kos town and at the same celebration in the morning on June the 24th in Pili. Another one is St. Paul’s on the 29th of June in the morning, in Kos town, they do the procession of the Ikon of St. Paul around the harbor accompanied by the municipal band. The Holy Apostles are celebrated on June 30th in Antimachia and of Prophet Elias on July the 19th in Psalidi, Saint Paraskeui on July 26th, Saint Panteleimon on July 26th in Psalidi, the Holly Virgin on the 15th of August in Kefalos, in Antimachia and in Kardamena, Agios Fanourios in the morning of August 27th in Mastichari, St.John on the 29th of August in Kefalos, the Transfiguration of Christ on the August 6th in Pili, Saint John August on 29th and in September the 8th the Holly Virgin in Kardamena as well as in Tigaki. Do participate and feel the love with which the locals organize those festivities every year!.