What Kos is best known for
One of the most popular holiday destinations in the Aegean, Kos is the third-largest island in the Dodecanese, known for drawing families, couples and groups of friends. It has everything you need for a holiday on a Greek island – long sandy beaches, a cycling-friendly main town and great food, which has its roots in its fertile interior.
Its beaches line both the north and south coasts, ranging from well-organised family-friendly stretches to the scenic bays of the Kefalos peninsula in the southwest.
Historically, Kos is most famous as the birthplace of Hippocrates, known as the father of modern medicine, and the Asclepion of Kos, a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing and son of Apollo, from whom Hippocrates himself was said to descend. It remains the island's defining landmark.
In Kos town, Hellenistic and Roman ruins sit alongside a medieval castle built by the Knights of St John, mosques from the island's years under Ottoman rule, and public buildings from the period of Italian administration between 1912 and 1943, a chapter of history that often surprises visitors. The Dodecanese were among the last territories to become part of the modern Greek state, in 1948.
What to do in Kos
Kos town has a very different feel to other Greek islands. Palm-lined avenues lead past open-air cafes and restaurants, and the wide streets and generous squares are the legacy of an Italian redesign following a major earthquake in 1933. Look a little closer and historical landmarks of Kos town reveal themselves at every turn: the Ancient Agora, the Altar of Dionysus, the Casa Romana, Ottoman mosques, and the imposing Neratzia Castle of the Knights of St John – who famously held out against an Ottoman siege in 1457 – which looks out over the harbour.
Near the castle, the ancient Plane Tree of Hippocrates marks the spot where the father of medicine is said to have taught his students in the 5th century BC, laying the foundations for the understanding of disease as natural rather than divine in origin.
The spirit of Hippocrates is strongest 4 km from town at the Asclepion of Kos, which rises on a pine-forested hill overlooking the sea. Walking its three terraced levels, you get a vivid sense of a place where medicine, religion and nature were considered inseparable in one of the most revered healing centres of the ancient world. Nearby, the Hippocrates Foundation's botanical gardens preserve more than 100 of the therapeutic herbs and plants that informed his teachings.
Inland, Kos finds another rhythm in villages like Zia and Asfendiou, with cobbled streets, traditional tavernas and views across to neighbouring islands. Antimachia preserves a traditional Kos home in its village square, and the ruins of Old Pyli – an 11th-century castle-fortress on the slopes of Mount Dikeos – reward those who venture a little further.
The food and drink of Kos is another of the great pleasures of any holiday on the island. Picking up a jar of thyme honey, enjoying local olive oil and cheese, and sitting down to fresh-caught fish in a harbour taverna are part of the experience, as is visiting a winery on the slopes of Mount Dikeos.
Kos also rewards visitors who want to get active – especially in the cooler spring and autumn months. Exploring Kos town by bike or cycling between beaches and settlements, hiking on Mount Dikeos, horseback riding and soaking in the thermal springs are all ways to experience a different side of the island.
Best Beaches in Kos
Kos has a beach for every mood. The north coast – Tigaki, Marmari and Mastichari – offers long stretches of sand with excellent facilities, shallow waters ideal for families and conditions that make them popular with windsurfers. Lampi, just 3km from Kos town, is also an easy option.
The south coast is where the real variety lies. The bay of Kefalos contains a string of beaches – Golden, Magic, Paradise, Camel – each with its own character, ranging from well-organised and family-friendly to quieter and more secluded. At the far southwestern tip, Cavo Paradiso lives up to its name: a long, wild sweep of sand surrounded by hills, with a sense of remoteness.
A standout beach on Kos is Agios Stefanos, in Kefalos Bay – a photogenic stretch of sand and fine pebbles with the ruins of an early Christian church at one end and the islet of Kastri directly offshore. For something completely different, the natural thermal springs at Therma beach, where mineral-rich thermal water mingles with the sea, are also worth the detour.
An ideal way to explore the southern coastline is by hiring a boat (with or without a skipper) from Kos town, pulling in wherever takes your fancy.
Best Time to visit Kos
Kos has a long summer holiday season, with the full range of beaches, boat trips and outdoor activities on offer from May to October. July and August are the busiest and hottest months – popular with families and those who want the full summer experience, but worth planning ahead for accommodation and the more popular beaches. For a quieter pace, May, June and September are the sweet spots: warm enough to swim, cooler for exploring on foot or by bike, and with a more relaxed atmosphere across the island. Spring and autumn offer a different kind of reward, especially on the hiking trails and in the inland villages, as well as in the wineries on the slopes of Mount Dikeos.
How to Get to Kos
Travelling to Kos by air and sea is straightforward at any time of year.
By Air: Hippocrates International Airport receives year-round flights from Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as seasonal direct flights from many European cities. The airport is around 26km from Kos town.
By Ferry: Daily ferries connect Kos with Piraeus port in Athens, with a journey time of around 10–12 hours depending on the route. There are also seasonal ferry services to nearby Dodecanese islands and to Crete.
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Kos offers accommodation to suit every budget and travel style. Kos town has plenty of hotels and guesthouses and is the obvious choice if you want to be within easy reach of restaurants, cafes and shops, as well as cultural sites and the port. Along the north coast, well-developed resort areas like Tigaki, Marmari and Mastichari offer a wide range of family-friendly hotels, many with direct beach access. Kardamena, on the south coast, is a popular choice for a livelier atmosphere, with plenty of dining and activity options nearby. For a quieter stay, the villages of the interior offer a more authentic alternative. Those looking for more privacy will also find a selection of villas around the island.
Olive oil, fresh vegetables and locally sourced meats are at the heart of every meal on one of the most fertile Greek islands. Dining experiences range from harbour-front tavernas serving freshly caught fish to restaurants in Kos town with more contemporary menus. Coastal settlements like Mastichari and Marmari are known for their seafood.
Traditional dishes worth seeking out include pitardia (handmade pasta cooked in broth), lambropites (small pies made with myzithra cheese) and marmarites (pancakes cooked on marble and served with honey). Among the best-known local products are thyme honey and krasotiri, a soft cheese matured in red wine with Protected Geographical Indication status, alongside other cheeses like myzithra and anthotiro.
Kos has a winemaking tradition that goes back to antiquity and there is also a small but rewarding selection of wineries on the limestone-rich slopes of Mount Dikeos, producing wines made from both Greek grapes like Assyrtiko and Malagouzia and international varieties. And for a final treat, order a kanelada in the kafeneion of a traditional village and enjoy a cinnamon-infused soft drink served with plenty of ice.
The climate in Kos is typically Mediterranean, with long, hot summers (regularly reaching the mid-30s°C) and plenty of sunshine from April to October. Spring and autumn bring milder but still warm, settled weather – ideal for exploring archaeological sites, cycling the coastal paths and hiking in the hills around Mount Dikeos. Winters are mild, with most rainfall occurring between November and March.
Kos is a safe destination and visitors of all kinds, including families and solo travellers, can explore the island with ease. As with any holiday destination, it is advisable to take basic precautions. Keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas, including the beach, and follow local guidance when swimming or hiking. Sun protection and plenty of water are essential if you are spending time outdoors or on the water. Bottled water is widely available across the island. There is a general hospital in Kos town and pharmacies in the main town and larger resorts. The European emergency number for all services in Greece – medical, police and fire – is 112.
Kos is the third-largest of the Dodecanese islands, situated close to the Turkish coast in the southeast Aegean Sea. It is well connected by air, with Hippocrates International Airport receiving flights from Athens year-round and direct flights from many European cities during the summer season. Daily ferries connect Kos with Piraeus (the port of Athens) in around 10–12 hours.
Hiring a car or scooter is the most flexible way to explore Kos, particularly for reaching the south coast beaches and villages of the interior at your own pace. Kos town and its surrounding beaches are easily navigated by foot or bike (the island has one of the best cycling lane networks in Greece). Local transportation options in Kos include a bus service that connects the main town with the larger resorts and beaches. Taxis are available in Kos town and at the airport.
The Asclepion of Kos is the island's defining cultural landmark – one of the great healing sanctuaries of the ancient world and a direct link to Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. Kos town itself rewards a full day's exploration, with Greco-Roman ruins, a medieval castle, Ottoman mosques and Italian-era architecture all within easy walking or cycling distance. The beaches of Kefalos Bay and at Agios Stefanos, the villages of the interior and the island's food and wine scene complete the picture.
Yes, Kos is one of the most family-friendly islands in Greece. The north coast beaches – Tigaki, Marmari and Mastichari – have shallow, calm waters and excellent facilities. Kos town’s cycling lanes allow families with older children to explore comfortably by bike and there is a wide range of family-friendly accommodation, water sports, boat trips and outdoor activities. The island's good road network also makes it easy to get around by car.
Kos has accommodation to suit every budget and travel style, from large resort hotels along the north coast to smaller guesthouses and boutique properties in Kos town and the villages. Kardamena is popular if you are looking for a livelier resort atmosphere, while the north coast resorts of Tigaki and Marmari are favourites with families. For something quieter, the interior villages offer a more authentic stay. Private villas are also available if you are looking for more privacy.
Kos offers good value across most budgets and there is plenty of accommodation choice according to your budget. July and August are the most popular months, so visiting in May, June or September may give you better value. Eating in traditional tavernas often gives the best value on Greek islands.
A minimum of five to seven days gives you enough time to enjoy the beaches, explore the main town and Asclepion of Kos, visit a few villages and experience the island's food and wine. Kos also works well as a base for day trips to neighbouring Kalymnos and Nisyros islands, which are within easy reach by ferry.
May, June and September are often the best months to visit Kos. The weather is still ideal for swimming and the island is quieter than in peak summer. Temperatures are often a little lower for exploring on foot or by bike, visiting the Asclepion and the villages, and enjoying excursions to wineries and the local food scene. July and August are hotter and busier but offer the full summer experience if that is what you are looking for.