Private Tour: Kos Island Highlights Including Zia, Asklepieion and Tree of Hippocrates

Athens, Greece

Get to know Kos Island on a private half-day tour, visiting ancient ruins, a mountain village and a winery! While enjoying personalized attention from a guide, explore archeological excavations at Asklepieion and learn about Greek medicine and healing in ancient times. Enjoy free time in the sleepy mountain village of Zia, and then sample Kos wine in the sunshine at a family-run winery. Before finishing, stop to see the Tree of Hippocrates, where the famous ancient doctor taught his students.

Start with a pickup from your Kos hotel and travel to the island’s number one archeological site, Asklepieion. Believed to have been built around the 4th century BC, the site served two purposes: a health and healing resort, and a temple to Asclepius – the Greek god of health. As you explore, listen to your guide explain the attraction’s history. You’ll learn more about Hippocrates, the ancient doctor from Kos, who developed healing methods that are still used today.

Hop back aboard your minivan and travel further inland to the village of Zia on Dikaion Mountain. Enjoy some time at leisure to soak up panoramic views of Kos Island, and explore the shops. The village is popular with local artists and craftspeople so browse their boutiques for pretty keepsakes of Kos to take home.

Meet your guide and travel onward to a local vineyard, nestled in the heart of Kos’ most fertile land. The family-run winery boasts some of the finest local varieties of red and green grapes, such as malagousia and assyrtiko. Sample a few glasses of the estate’s red and white wine while learning about the region’s winemaking history.

After relaxing in the sun, sipping on fine wine and chatting with your guide, return to your minivan and travel to the Tree of Hippocrates near Kos’ ancient fortress – Castle Neratzia. Some 2,500 years ago, Hippocrates was said to have taught medicine to his students under the famous plane tree. Pose for photos, and then finish your tour with a drop-off at your hotel.