Western Excavation Site

Kos Town


This open archaeological site, south of the centre, holds ancient ruins uncovered by an earthquake in 1933. Its real treasures are the mosaics of the House of Europa. The house was an opulent 2nd-century villa and the mosaics depict the abduction of Europa by Zeus in the form of a bull. Nearby, there's a section of the Decumanus Maximus, the Roman city’s main thoroughfare. The site also holds the Nymphaeum, a columned structure that was actually a public toilet.

There's also the Xysto, a cluster of Doric columns, and the Temple of Dionysos, dating from the 2nd century BC. Across the street stands the Odeion, an impressive 2nd-century Roman theatre, which was built on the site of an even older Greek predecessor, and once seated around 750 spectators. In summer, performances are sometimes held here. Just east of here is the cleverly reconstructed Casa Romana.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kos Town attractions

1. Xysto

0.03 MILES

This cluster of Doric columns once supported the roof of an open-sided portion of the ancient gymnasium.

3. Nymphaeum

0.04 MILES

Despite its misleading name, this columned structure was actually a public toilet.

4. House of Europa

0.05 MILES

You can still sense the opulence of this 2nd-century private villa, of which the chief surviving relic is a superb mosaic floor depicting the abduction of…

5. Odeion

0.08 MILES

Built on the site of an even older Greek predecessor, this 2nd-century Roman theatre seated around 750 spectators. In summer, performances are sometimes…

6. Casa Romana

0.19 MILES

Reopened to the public in 2015 after years of restoration, Casa Romana is believed to have been constructed during Hellenistic times and remodelled until…

7. Temple of Dionysos

0.26 MILES

The overgrown but evocative remains of this Greek temple, dating from the 2nd century BC, centre on an altar with a frieze depicting Amazon warriors.

8. Archaeological Museum

0.27 MILES

Housed in a superb example of an Italian-era building, located in the central square, the small, but excellent archaeological museum possesses a wealth of…

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