Fringed by some of the best beaches in the Dodecanese, Kos is, without doubt, an island full of treasures!
If you are planning to spend your holidays in Kos, here is my list of the best things to see and do while staying on this amazing Greek island!
1) Explore Kos Town
Kos town is quite compact and easy to visit on foot in a few hours. You can also rent a bike and cycle around town. There’s a 13km cycle path along the waterfront.
Here are the main sights to check out:
- Hippocrates’ Plane tree. Kos is the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. Hippocrates’ Plane tree, right across the Lotzia Mosque, is where Hippocrates used to teach his apprentices. The tree has become one of the main tourist attractions in town.
- Eleftheria Square is at the centre of Kos town. Here you can find the municipal market, the Archaeological Museum, and the Defterdar Mosque. The Mosque was built at the end of the 18th century and is a typical example of Islamic architecture.
- The Medieval Castle of the Knights of the Order of St. John (also known as the Nerantzia castle) is located at the entrance of the port. It was built in the 15th century, during the occupation of the knights, with local stone and archaeological remains found on-site.
- The Ancient Agora (Ancient Market) exposed by a devastating earthquake in 1933, the ancient market is an imposing excavation area where you can still visit the remains of temples, baths, and houses dating back to the 4th century BC.
- The Roman Odeon of Kos was built by the Romans around the 2nd and the 3rd centuries. It was brought to light in the early 20th century along with the Gymnasium and the Roman baths.
2) Visit The Asklepion
Located approximately 4 km south of Kos town, this used to be the most famous medical centre in Greece. It dates from the first half of the 3rd century BC. It was built to honour the god of health and medicine, Asklepios, after the death of the famous ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates. The ruins occupy three levels. The remains of the Temple of Asclepius are on the third level. It’s worth climbing to the top for great views!
The entrance costs €8 and it’s free for children. Bus 3 runs hourly from Kos Town to the site. Alternatively, you can take the Noddy train departing hourly from the harbour or cycle there.
3) Swim at Agios Stefanos, Kefalos
Kefalos is one of the most beautiful spots on the island thanks to its natural beauty and its stunning landscape views. At Agios Stefanos, you can swim near the remains of two paleo-Christian churches built in the 5th- 6th century AD overlooking the picturesque islet of Kastri. Here you can still admire the foundations, the arches, and the original mosaic floors of the churches.
This is a great spot for some postcard pictures. Right in front of Kefalos beach lies Kastri, a rocky and barren islet with a small chapel dedicated to Saint Nicolas, the saint protector of sailormen. You can reach Kastri by boat or swimming from the beach.
Make sure to visit the old traditional village of Kefalos, as it offers striking panoramic views down to Kefalos Gulf.
4) Relax At The Beach
Kos boasts 114 km of coastline, more than half of which has accessible beaches. Almost all the beaches of Kos have been awarded a blue flag for the exceptional clarity and beauty of their waters.
Here is a list of the most beautiful beaches on the island:
- Paradise Beach (near Kefalos) is a large cove with clean water, surrounded by lush greenery. The beach is fully organized and gets very busy in summer. There are a beach bar and a restaurant on site.
- Camel Beach (near Kefalos) is a fine sandy beach with pebbles and clean water. It is well-organized offering all the needed facilities, even a water sports centre.
- Limnionas Beach (near Kefalos) is a sandy beach with deep turquoise waters. There is one of the best fish taverns on the island here, the Restaurant Limnionas. I highly recommend their lunch menu.
- Mastihari Beach is an exotic beach with white sand and emerald water. Many windsurfing centres are located along this beach.
- Marmari Beach is a sandy beach located 20 km southwest of Kos Town. Fully organised beach, taverns and restaurants are close by.
- Tigaki Beach lies only 11 km from the capital. The beach is fully organised and less busy than the most popular ones.
- The Thermal Springs are not far from Kos town. These springs are one of the most popular destinations in Kos, especially at dusk or on moonlit evenings. The thermal water flows from the base of the cliffs into a pool delimited by a ring of boulderstones where it mixes with the seawater creating the perfect temperature for a relaxing bath!
5) Watch The Sunset in Zia
Zia is a small traditional village located up in the mountains, 15km away from Kos town. Here you can buy handmade souvenirs from Kos, enjoy a delicious Greek dinner, and watch the traditional Sirtaki dance while admiring the spectacular sunset over the island.
6) Visit Antimachia
Antimachia is a village located 25 km away from Kos Town. One of the main attractions is a large windmill, the last one still in use on the whole island. Just opposite the windmill, you can visit the traditional house of Antimachia, a perfect example of a typical Greek 20th-century house.
On a small hill above the village of Antimachia lies the Venetian Castle, known as the Castle of Antimachia. It was built in the early 14th century by the Order of the Knights of Saint John to guard the entrance of the strait between Kos and Nisyros. If you want to see the castle at its best, get there at sunset.
7) Go On An Excursion To Nisyros, Kalymnos & Pserimos
Many islands can easily be reached from Kos. The island of Nisyros, famous both for the spectacular caldera of its volcano and for the authenticity of its characteristic small villages, is definitely the most beautiful one. You can take a ferry from Kos town port or from Kardamena. Check out my article Why You Should visit Nisyros, A beautiful volcanic Island, for more info about Nisyros.
Another fascinating destination is the island of Kalymnos, also known as the island of sea sponges. To visit Kalymnos, you can go on a day boat trip to Kalymnos and Pserimos. This will surely be one of the best memories of your holidays. check out my article A Full Day Boat Cruise To Kalymnos & Pserimos, for more information about these two islands.
8) Try Kos Traditional Food
It is very easy to find taverns and restaurants serving delicious Greek cuisine in Kos. The entire island offers many great options to choose from. The quality of the food here is extremely high and the price of a meal is much cheaper than in the Cyclades.
Kos market is a great option to buy some gourmet souvenirs and local delicacies for your foodie friends, like some sachets of Mediterranean spices, extra virgin olive oil, jars of thyme honey, and Kanelada, a delicious cinnamon-infused liquor.
Check out my article What & Where To Eat & Drink In Kos for suggestions on where to eat in Kos.
Booking.comHow to get around Kos
I recommend staying in Kos Town and renting a car to visit the island. Kos is 43 km long and 2 km wide at the narrowest point, up to a maximum of 6 km at its widest point. The streets are in quite good conditions and it takes about half an hour to get from Kos Town (in the North of the island) to Kefalos (in the South of the island).
There are buses taking you from Kos town to the other villages on the island, but the service is not frequent and they won’t get you to the most secluded beaches on the island.
Booking.comHow To Get To Kos
Kos can be easily reached with direct flights from international destinations over summer, and from mainland Greece during the rest of the year. The airport is located in the South of the island, about 25km from Kos town.
There are frequent bus services to and from Kos town. But if you are planning to rent a car for your stay, I suggest you do so with pick-up on arrival at the airport. Many car rentals services have a desk at the airport, but I recommend renting your car online for better deals and to avoid queues on arrival.
When To Visit Kos
Greek islands get always packed in summer and Kos is a very wild and bare island so it gets really hot during summer days there. The best time to visit is shoulder season, late spring, and early autumn. Temperatures are milder then and the water is still warm enough to go for a swim.
LIKE THIS POST? PIN AND SAVE FOR LATER
Check out What & Where To Eat & Drink In Kos
- Hospital Sant Pau: The World’s Largest Art Nouveau Complex - 28 March 2021
- Palau Güell: A Magnificient Example of Gaudí’s Fervent Architectural Imagination - 14 March 2021
- Casa Amatller: A Unique Example of Modernism In Barcelona - 27 February 2021
Leave a Reply