Kardamena

Kardamena over the years has earned the reputation of being even the most picturesque village on the entire island of Coo (Kos). In recent years something has changed, in the sense that tourism flows have invested more in the small fishing village, changing its atmosphere a bit, especially during the summer; but Kardamena still remains a lovely little village, where it is still possible to breathe a bit of “authentic” Greek air. Alongside, of course, very well organized tourist and bathing facilities, which every season from May to October welcome numerous tourists who come here to enjoy the splendid sea in all its aspects, including that of water sports, which are much practiced in this area.

Kardamena is located on the southern coast of the island, some 30 km from the capital Coo, very close to the international airport. Founded as a fishing village, Kardamena still thrives on this activity: a large part of the port is occupied by fishing boats, and every day the fresh catch arrives here, from where it then ends up on the tables of restaurants and taverns overlooking the port and the waterfront-and indeed, in Kardamena one eats excellent fish, but there is no shortage of meat dishes from inland.

The inhabitants of the village barely touch 2000, but in summer they reach as many as 10000: thanks to the beaches, too, and the superb crystal-clear sea. The most famous beach is located just south of the port, a stone’s throw from the village, easily accessible and usable even by those who arrive in Kardamena with their own boats and stop in the port.

Getting to Kardamena presents no particular difficulty or danger. With strong meltemi, however, the southeast coast is most affected, so in case be careful when entering ports. Just outside the ports, watch out for two floating platforms heading southeast. Inland, the breakwater and pier still provide good shelter from northerly winds, but in case of strong winds still plan for some dancing. The bottom, on the other hand, is good keeper, of sand and seaweed.

Inside the harbor the depths are not exciting: 2-3 meters maximum, watch out for concrete blocks that further reduce the depth in some areas, the advice is to always ask the harbor staff for directions on what berth to occupy.
Berths are few: 10 or 12 along the north dock, with bow or stern berths, and another 2 or 3 in side berths at the south dock. We are on the essentials as services offered: water and electricity, and only during the tourist season. The village offers supermarket, bars, restaurants, laundry, souvenire stores, the essentials in short.

The promenade along the ports is very pleasant and very busy, Kardamena is a village where you can relax, stroll leisurely and fully enjoy the Greek sea at one of the beautiful white sand beaches adjacent to the village, before perhaps enjoying a tasty seafood dish at a waterfront taverna. There is always opportunity, as everywhere in Greece, for archaeological tourism, thanks to the ruins of a Temple of Apollo just outside the village, several early Christian basilicas and an ancient theater. All came to light thanks to excavations conducted to bring light to the origin of the village, which stands on the ruins of the old port city of Alasarna.

Still on the tourism front, if you stop by the ports, you cannot fail to notice the many ferries that set sail in the morning and return in the evening, after escorting tourists to the nearby islands of Nysios, Rhodes, Kos, or Turkey. Take this into account regarding the best time to enter the ports to look for space.