Kardamena (Greek: Καρδάμενα), is a small Greek village 7 km from Kos Island International Airport at Antimachia, situated mid-way along the south coast of the island of Kos. Once a small fishing village, it has emerged as one of the most popular summer destinations, especially for British tourists, over the past two decades, offering scores of pubs and restaurants, bars and night clubs and water sports facilities. It reported a population of 1,783 inhabitants at the 2001 census and has a land area of 35.150 km².
Kardamaina is built on the site of the ancient settlement of Alasarna. During the 2nd century BC, Alasarna was an important urban center with one thousand citizens, to whom the slaves and the metics should be added.
The archaeological excavations have brought to light some impressive ruins. A Temple of Apollo, an extensive Early Christian settlement (from the very few known in Greece), as well as four basilicas that belong to the same period. Also many stone objects of everyday use (millstones, tools, vases, vessels, etc.), mostly made of volcanic and sedimentary rocks have been recovered so far.
