About
The Ancient Agora of Kos is the remains of the marketplace and civic centre of the town of Kos, on the Greek island of Kos. It is also known as the Kos Ancient Market or the Roman Agora, names that reflect the two periods in which the site was built up: the Hellenistic and the Roman.
Walking through the site, you move among the foundations of various public buildings, with columns still standing in places and mosaics set into the ground. The layout makes it easy to picture how the open space once worked as a meeting point for trade, public business and daily life, even though only the stone framework now survives.
What to expect
- Column rows and building foundations spread across the open site
- Mosaic floors that give a sense of the decoration of the public buildings
- A visit that suits anyone interested in ancient Greek and Roman town life
Because the agora is an open archaeological area rather than a building, a visit is generally a walk at your own pace. Comfortable shoes and water are sensible, particularly in the warmer months of the island's summer.
The area around it
The agora sits in the town of Kos, so it can be combined easily with other stops in the old town. Many visitors pair it with a walk through the surrounding streets, where the island's history is visible in other remains and in the town's everyday rhythm. For a visitor who enjoys understanding a place through its past, the Ancient Agora makes a rewarding and straightforward stop.