More detailed version of my article published in Hürriyet Seyahat
How to get to Kos
When you look from Turgutreis, if you reach out your hand as if you would hold it, if we are a distance away, I am going to Kos. There are ferries from Bodrum and Turgutreis every day.. 19€ for a day, 30€ for stay. Our ferry is at 9.30. I thought there would be few people due to the season, but there were a lot of people.. Transactions took too long. We were on the island in 30 minutes. Passport processing took a short while.. We had previously arranged our hotel in the center of Kos from Booking.. Because we didn’t want to waste time looking for a hotel.
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Hotel and Car Rental in Kos
We plan to stay for two days and travel all over the island.. Getting to our hotel, renting a motorbike, all done in half an hour. Hotel breakfast included 32 €. There are cheaper hotels of course.. We chose a place close to the beaches. Motor rent 20 € per day. They say until 8 pm, but you insist on the same price until the morning.. Cause we don’t want to miss the sunset in Zia. The day sets at 8.30. It will take at least half an hour to come back from there.. If you sacrifice 80€, you can travel with strange vehicles called buggy, but they are quite slow.
Salt Lake
We floundered a bit on the way out of the city centre, but the island roads are not bad. There are signs everywhere. It seems impossible to get lost. Salt Lake in Tigaki on our way to the first stop. Pelicans far away. No need to spend much time. The place where it spills into the sea is beautiful. Protect yourself from mosquitoes, there are too many.
Kefalos Agora and Ag.Stefanos Church
From there we go to Kefalos, the farthest corner of the island. The season is not yet fully opened in Kefalos. After touring the streets with a motorbike, Ag. We find an island with the St. Stefanos Church and a bay with an agora.
We have a plan to swim to the island where Ag.Stefanos church is located.. In the bay overlooking the island, the ancient ruins take me away. It is not difficult to swim to the island.. There was just some current.
It doesn’t take two minutes to climb the church, but I would recommend you to wear a pair of sea shoes.. I think it is a must to prevent anything from happening to your feet while you are going out from the sea to the island and walking on the island.
The view of the island is magnificent. Church in action. There is even a peacock. We visited the church without clothes because we were swimming, but we had no other choice.. After visiting the island, photographing and enjoying the scenery, we swim to land. The return is more difficult.. The current is stronger this time.
This beach is not a comprehensive beach. There was a food truck where you could buy sandwiches and drinks, but we wanted to eat something nice so we risked a bit of hunger.. The Agora was so beautiful that we spent our time taking pictures, swimming and sunbathing.
The island is surrounded by beaches all over. We heard that Paradise Beach is the most beautiful. We look at it all from the top and enjoy the views. We don’t have time today to enjoy the sea for a long time.. Might be because I don’t like too many sandy beaches. The view from the top is magnificent, but a sea with sand at the bottom is quite mediocre for me.. There must be rocks in my sea because I wear my mask and chase fish all the time, and fish feed on rocky places.
Kardemena
There are many taverns along the beach in Kardamena. We randomly enter one. Food is delicious as always. I think this place would be even better at night.. We visit the souvenir shops in the streets. No two products are alike.
If I had time, if they let me go, I would walk around here for hours.. This is a port village where boats are moored.. I’m writing to my head to spend more time on Kardamena next time I don’t spend much time.
Although it is daytime and Even though people are in the sea, the streets are still lively.. Bringing Greek songs from each shop to the streets. We are confused about what to buy and where to look.
Therma Spring Hot
After visiting Kardamena, we head straight to Therma beach.. I’m excited to swim in the warm sea water that I saw on the internet and wondered about. Kardamena is actually very close to Therma beach but there is no road. For this reason, returning from the center of Kos and following the signs towards Therma. In the past, the road was very bad, but now it is built like a highway.. It’s a stunning place.
You’re swimming in a boiling hot sea from the bottom of giant boulders.. the water is quite warm. I’m having trouble logging in. Smell of sulfur prevails. There are quite a few tourists. Not an extensive beach. Do not dream of eating, drinking and showering for now, but there are studies for the season. It is very nice to jump from the hot water into the ice-cold waters of the sea.. Sometimes you come across hot water in the sea.
Because of the temperature of the water, you should prefer morning or evening hours.. Hot water heals me, who is very tired on the engine all day, and all my tiredness goes away.. Is it because I love hot waters, I don’t want to go out anyway.
Zia Village Sunset
We set off for the village of Zia, where they say “must go and see the sunset” a lot, without lingering too much.. We turn back all the ways we came and reach the village of Zia and catch the sunset. Gorgeous scenery and a very cute village. When the night lights come on, it turns into a fairy tale land like a miracle.
A place that needs to be spared longer with its souvenirs and taverns. Zia’s roads are quite twisty. We return to Kos after thinking about the darkness of night.. When it comes to Greek island, seafood and night entertainment are inevitable.. We get our fill of delicious tastes at Nic The Fisherman tavern. The street is full of taverns left and right. Caravelle tavern, where Turks usually go, but we prefer the place where the people of the island go.. Tired of the day and planning to visit the center of Kos the next day, we skip the entertainment part.
Kos City Center
I learned long ago that I shouldn’t expect too much from Greek hotels, but an unexpectedly delicious breakfast. It allows us to start the day well.
Ancient Roman ruins in the city center, Hippocrates‘s tree, many Ottoman artifacts, mosques, fountains, churches, castles, souvenirs, and then there is a place in the city. here we are jumping and jumping.
This is Hippocrates’ hometown. The rumors that he is teaching under that tree are false when he learns the age of the tree, but I am more inclined to believe that he is teaching.
There are tiny trains that you can travel all this with, 7 euros, but I don’t think it’s necessary.. Everywhere is close to each other anyway.
The minaret of Defterdar mosque, which was destroyed in the last earthquake, is no longer there.. I’m lucky that I went just before the earthquake and was able to see. Life is really just moments. It’s only a matter of time before things that seem ordinary at that moment disappear.
There is a castle here as well as everywhere else.. The main gate is reached by a beautiful bridge from the square with the Hippocrates tree.
There is an Agora right in the heart of the city. The carelessness is astounding.. Weeds all over. It doesn’t have a door. Open to everyone. People can use this road to commute to work.. Still free. I cut the grass and reach the pillars and take pictures.
Churches and mosques are almost side by side. These are all very close to each other.. They are right in the city center.
We are visiting the city center until noon.. It is enough to go in and out of many shops and see historical artifacts.. Maybe I can travel fast now.
The city is our playground now. We are looking at which beach to throw ourselves to have fun.
We throw ourselves to Tarzan Beache to relax and spend our remaining time in the cool waters of the Aegean.. The owner is also very interesting in the place. Mojito is delicious. All four sides of the island are beaches.. When the sea is beautiful everywhere, it remains to choose a beach that appeals to your soul.. We’re going to the Old River Beach Tavern for a snack. The food is delicious. Turkish is spoken on both beaches. Great convenience for those who don’t speak the language.
The Moment of Return
Our ferry is at 6 pm. You go half an hour ago, please.. As usual, we are the last to get on the ferry, just like when arriving and arriving at the last minute.. I know that ferry will run away one day, but I think I like excitement. I’m leaving the island to come back with wonderful memories. My advantage is traveling with a friend who knows the island and traveling by motor. Otherwise I couldn’t have done this much in two days.. If you stay for at least two nights and three days, you can travel everywhere comfortably and enjoy the sea.
What I remember from the island: Ag.Stefanos church, island and agora, Therma hot spring with warm sea water, magnificent day sunset and the history of the charming town of Zia, Tarzan Beach, Kos center. The neglect of historical ruins in Kos. Delicacies I remember: Mojito at Tarzan beach, seafood at Nich the fiserman tavern, saganaki at Old River
- Click if you want to read my Rhodes Island adventure.
