I hadn’t been to Greece until quite recently, and I’ve now visited Athens, Crete, Santorini and Kos in the last two years. I’m not sure why it took me so long to come to this amazing and beautiful country, but I can’t wait to go back again soon.
Kos is the third largest of the Dodecanese islands in the south-eastern Aegean Sea, near to Turkey. It’s coastline is 112 kilometres, and consists of craggy rocks, beautiful idyllic sandy beaches and emerald blue waters.
From April through to November, the average high temperature ranges from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius (68F), so offers plenty of almost year-round sunshine. Kos has a whole lot to offer, which is why I put together this list of the best things to do in Kos, Greece.
Greeks are some of the most welcoming and friendliest people I have met, so I would urge anyone to try to stay at some of the smaller local hotels, rather than the large resorts. Some of the families have been here for generations, and their livelihoods rely totally on tourism.
Common questions people ask about Kos, Greece:
Is Kos a party island?
Yes, it can be. You can definitely have a good night in Kos, with many night clubs catering to different tastes of music, you can party to the early hours.
The Clubs are concentrated in Kos Town and Kardamena. That being said, there is plenty of low key restaurants around the harbour for a lovely relaxing meal and drink.
Is Kos expensive?
No. One of the best things about holidaying in Greece is the cost. Compared to much of western Europe, Greece is considerably cheaper. There are still many places where you can get a tasty and delicious Gyros for under €4. I survived on these for the first 3 days of my trip!
Best Beaches in Kos, Greece
1. Mastichari Beach:
My favourite beach in Kos is Mastichari Beach, I just enjoyed the vibe here. Mastichari is 27km south of Kos Town. It’s a long 5km stretch of soft white sand. It’s a wide beach, so you can usually find your own little corner without too much trouble.
For those who prefer the sun loungers and umbrellas, there is plenty of facilities here. Avoid the end near the port, as there can sometimes be a gathering of seaweed. Watersports are also on offer here for those who want to be a bit more active.
2. Kavo Paradiso Beach:
Kavo Paradiso is at the south western corner of the island, not to be confused with Paradise Beach. It can be a little hard to reach, as the only way there is off road, via rugged dusty paths.
I made it in my little rented Fiat, but only just, as I did think about turning around a couple of times. I would advise you come here only in a 4×4 just to be safe. It’s well worth the journey if you make it, with my favourite ramshackle beach bar of the whole island. The sand is so smooth, and the rocky bay behind you makes for a perfect backdrop.
3. Agios Stefanos:
Agios Stefanos Beach was the closest beach to where I was staying. It’s claim to fame is the remains of an archaeological site at the northern edge, and the tiny island of Kastri. Kastri is just about within swimming distance from the beach (but please check the tides with the lifeguard before attempting it).
This beach isn’t huge, and can get busy. Beware that it is a bit rocky as you enter the water, so better if you have suitable footwear.
4. Lambi Beach:
Lambi Beach is a short walk from the main centre of Kos Town, so you can expect it to be busy most of the time. This beach offers lots of facilities from countless bars at the edge of the beach. Therefore it’s the perfect place to unwind during the day, with cocktail in hand, and then an easy walk back to Kos town for fun in the evening.
5. Exotic Beach / Magic Beach / Markos Beach
These 3 beaches are all next to each other, just outside of Kefalos. They all offer plenty of parking and facilities. If you’re brave enough to get that full body tan, head to Exotic Beach, with a dedicated naturist section, also providing the usual facilities.
Best things to do in Kos (when not at the beach!)
As you can imagine, most of the things to do in Kos involve the beach, or the small towns of the beaches. I’m only putting places that are really worth a visit, as I have read other suggestions that turned out to be very disappointing (this is the only research you need to do).
6. Plaka Forest
Plaka Forest, situated near the airport, was a very pleasant surprise when I found it by accident. The main attraction here is the seemingly harmonious coming together of a number of cats and peacocks.
They appear to live side by side (mostly), peacefully sharing the water and food that is put out for them. You won’t find this unique setting anywhere else, so visit if you have a chance. Also, look out for the turtles in the water under the crumbling wooden bridge.
7. Kos Town
Kos Town is the main town on the island, and offers the best of everything. A buzzing town with a concentration of bars, restaurants and clubs dotted around the harbour.
If you want to be among the action this is the best place to stay. You can visit the nearby Nerantzia castle, explore the lively old town with it’s Ottoman era mosques, and you can walk all around the beautiful Kos Harbour.
8. Roman Odeon of Kos
The Roman Odeon of Kos is a short walk from the centre of Kos Town, and definitely worth a break from the beach. It was built in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Parts of the structure have been restored using the original marble steps, previously thought to be reserved for the VIPs at the various events that would have happened here. Entry is free.
9. 3 Island Cruise
I went on a 3-island cruise trip aboard the Barco De Pirata. It was one of the highlights of my trip. The ship itself wouldn’t look out of place in Pirates of the Caribbean!
The crew were really friendly, and relaxed, and made for a great party atmosphere (without being too crazy). They provided food, and the bar was fully stocked, and the music doesn’t stop, pumping tunes all day long.
It’s an all day trip, visiting 3 nearby, very different islands. There was a wide range of age groups, so don’t be put off if you’re no longer 21! This is definitely my top tip, and I highly recommend it.
10. Day trip to Bodrum
Bodrum, Turkey is only 45 minutes away by ferry, and there is plenty of companies running this route daily. Unfortunately I didn’t have a chance to take this trip, so I can’t talk too much about Bodrum.
I’ve seen pictures, and it looks like its worth the trip, and to be fair, I love Turkey, so if you can squeeze it in, why not. Tell me what you think?
Where to stay in Kos, Greece:
I had a really enjoyable week staying at Irene Studios on Kefalos Beach. This is a small complex right on the beach. It’s self catering, with a fridge and kitchenette. One of my favourite parts of the day was having breakfast on the balcony, overlooking Kamari Bay.
The beach provides loungers and umbrellas as normal, and you can also hire stand up paddle boards too. From here, you can paddle to Kastri island and back within an hour if you don’t fancy the swim!
Staying here, you do need a car to get about, as it can be painful waiting for public transport. The owner of the hotel can sort this for you for a reasonable and competitive price. It’s best to have a car anyway so you can explore the island.
Final piece of life saving advice:
I suffer from a nut allergy, so have to avoid Hazelnuts, peanuts and pistachios among others. I was so excited when I found some baklava that apparently didn’t contain pistachios. It was supposed to only contain Almonds, which I can eat.
Great I thought. One afternoon after returning from the beach, feeling a bit peckish, I thought this would be a good time to crack open the Baklava.
Big mistake!! They do contain pistachios, and my throat was telling me this in about 5 minutes!
Being 45 minutes drive away from the only hospital on the island in Kos Town, I made the decision to leave straight away. I’m really thankful I did. Halfway to hospital, my eyes were starting to swell, and I was a bit concerned. Luckily I had my EpiPen with me, so I pulled over and injected myself. This delayed the inflammation onset enough to get me to the hospital.
Once there, I was seen really quickly, after I found an English speaking Doctor. Big shout out to the staff at the Hospital of Kos, who gave me some adrenalin, steroids and sent me on my way an hour or so later.
Lesson learnt – Baklava contains Pistachios, I guess it’s one dessert I’ll never quite be able to enjoy!