DISTANT PLACES
Travel tips by Bremen sehenswert far from the Hanseatic City of Bremen
Kos - The Greek Dodecanese Island
A Travel Guide
Welcome to Kos
View from the upper level of the Asclepieion overlooking the city of Kos and the Turkish coast near Bodrum
Greece, the cradle of democracy. While some may think of great philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, or mathematicians such as Archimedes and Euclid; others might think of victorious generals like Alexander the Great, who founded Alexandria in present-day Egypt with its legendary library. Yet others may have sun, beach, Mediterranean flair, or the scent of thyme in mind when Greece is mentioned.
Figs on a tree
Greek yogurt with honey, olives, authentic feta, retsina, and all the other culinary delights offered by Greek cuisine and nature were "hard to swallow" for many Greeks - and others in a shared Europe - during the second decade of the new millennium. No amount of olive oil could smooth things over then: the European financial crisis, the threat of Greek bankruptcy, the potential "Grexit" in early summer 2015, and thousands of people fleeing the Syrian war zone. The sea route from Turkey to Kos is very short, and many refugees found their way here to Europe. Finally, there was the Corona pandemic with the temporary collapse of the vital tourism industry.
European snails: No backing down ...
The financially struggling Greece has faced problems in the past and continues to face them today; this is something many Greeks feel deeply, but they will find a way to master the crises of the present regardless. "Freedom or Death" (Elefthería i thánatos) was the motto of the Cretan people in their long struggle against Turkish rule over their island in centuries past. Freedom prevailed.
View from the beach at Marmari of the offshore islands of Kalymnos, Plati, and Pserimos - popular destinations for boat trips from Kos
We would now like to introduce you to the Dodecanese island of Kos, which is only 50 kilometers long. However, we do not claim to be exhaustive; you should discover things for yourself during your journey. And there is plenty to discover if you wish. Unfortunately, some historical buildings were damaged in an earthquake on July 21, 2017, with a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale, which hit the island hard, particularly in the capital. Nevertheless, they still stand and provide a glimpse into the long and eventful history of the island.
One occasionally encounters relics of Greek history in the city quite suddenly
If you are looking for bustle and enjoy some shopping, the lively city of Kos is exactly the right place. For those seeking peace and nature, you might consider a cycling tour through the mountain villages and enjoying the sunset in Zia. Passionate beach-walkers will find miles of sandy beaches on the north coast of Kos, offering plenty of terrain for sand-loving feet. If you find the island too small during your vacation, we can recommend boat trips to the volcanic island of Nisyros or the neighboring islands of Kalymnos, Plati, and Pserimos. You can also quickly leave the country and, after a short ferry ride, set foot in Asia Minor at Turkish Bodrum.
At the port of the city of Kos, one of three ports on the island
Is the main thing that we have fun? No! The most important thing is that we show respect for the proud Greeks in whose land we are guests; then it works out for everyone. Enjoy reading and looking through our collection of images - perhaps you will find some inspiration. So, let's begin.
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Read more about Kos: The table of contents
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Site on Rhodes
A journey through the historic Old Town of Rhodes
Relics from various eras - ranging from antiquity to the period of Italian occupation - can be found almost everywhere on the island. Many have left their mark; in some places, they must be sought out, while in others, they appear in clustered, fascinating density and variety. Yet, nowhere else on the island are these traces as prominent as they are in the city of Rhodes. It is not for nothing that the historic Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988.
read more about Rhodes Old Town ...
Symi
An excursion to the Greek Dodecanese island off the Turkish coast
A visit to this sparsely populated rocky island of about 60 square kilometers, with its namesake picturesque harbor town, is part of the standard tour itinerary offered in many locations on the Greek island of Rhodes. From the main island, it takes ships approximately two hours to reach the port of the small island located 23 kilometers north of Rhodes off the Turkish coast, which has belonged to Greece since 1947. As more of the Greek coast recedes into the distance to the port side, the ship draws closer to the Turkish shore; this part of the southern Aegean essentially connects Europe and Western Asia.
read more about Symi ...
The "Green" Island of Corfu
From the sights of the capital, Kerkyra, to the Corfu Trail
The Greeks call not only the city but the island itself Kerkyra. According to legend, it was named after the nymph Gorgyra (also known as Kerkyra), who was brought to the island by the sea god Poseidon. A legend, indeed. In fact, the name appears in a modified form, "Korkyra," on written records as early as 1200 BC. The current name, Corfu, dates back to the Byzantine era. Once an independent island and later the first Roman province of modern Greece, it became part of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 395 AD. On a rocky promontory jutting into the sea, the Byzantines built a fortress in the early 6th century and named the city emerging from this core "Koryfo."
read more about Kerkyra ...
Zakynthos
An island defined by the Caretta caretta
When searching for images of the 406 km² island online, one primarily encounters a very common recurring motif that has been captured from a similar angle by various photographers over the years: Navagio Bay on the northwestern coast. It's all junk, right? Well, that is a matter of perspective, and there are plenty of those during the season, whether they have a camera or not. The fact remains, however, that the rusting wreck of the motor vessel "Panagiotis" has become a landmark for Zakynthos.
read more about Zakynthos ...
