KARDAMENA
Area: Kos
Country: Greece


Location:
On the S coast of the island, 16 miles SW of Kos; airport 5 miles W.

Telephone code from UK:
30 22420

Position:
Near the mid point of the hotter, less breezy S coast. On a flat strip of land backed by a steep, dry and scrubby range of hills.

Description:
The once lovely fishing village has been overwhelmed by rampant resort expansion over recent years and little remains which could be called authentic, other than some narrow streets of old houses, the stone breakwaters of the harbour and the remaining colourful boats. This is a lively, vibrant holiday destination with few concessions to taste or decorum. It can be noisy, not to mention positively rowdy, at night.

Suitability:
Strong bias towards the youth market.

Accommodation:
A mix, from budget through to 4-star holiday hotels, the latter being mainly on the outskirts.

Shopping:
All the basics available with 10 or so supermarkets and enough tacky souvenir shops for even the most determined magpie.

Beach:
Large and sandy, though heavily colonised by beach umbrellas. Water sports, pedalo hire. Becomes quieter at further extremities.

Entertainments:
2 discos, informal entertainments at many bars.

Eating:
50-odd tavernas, with a generous sprinkling of British pubs and fast food outlets. Quality is scarce.

Public-transport:
Regular daily bus to Kos.

Local-excursions:
Local boat trips, otherwise as Kos.