Sun, sea and a splash of culture at Agios Stefanos beach on Kos

One of the most photogenic beaches in Kos, Agios Stefanos manages to combine an impressive collection of talents. A long beach of sand and fine pebbles in Kefalos Bay, it is ideal for families and couples looking to spend a day by the sea. 

But if you’re suffering a pang of guilt that you really should be soaking up a bit more culture, you can put down your bucket and spade at any time and amble over to of a pair of 5th-6th century AD churches, right alongside the beach.

The remains of columns, mosaic floors, baptisteries and other features give you the feeling that you’ve uncovered a lost treasure. And at the same time, there’s a strangely cosmopolitan air to the site – as if a magazine photo shoot is about to break out at any moment, with a backdrop of the Aegean Sea.

The setting is completed by the view of the islet of Kastri within the bay, with its elegant little blue-domed church dedicated to Agios Nikolaos (the patron saint of sailors) and the striking rocky outcrop rising from the island’s centre. You can catch a boat to the island, or even swim over, to have a look around.