Top Things to Do in Kos

Boasting a rich history that stretches back from the ancient to the Ottoman times, Kos Town is a mosaic of sights from different time periods and civilizations. Thus, one of the best things to do during your stay on the island is to walk around the streets of the port and the Old Town and marvel at the ancient sights —the Agora, the ancient gymnasium, the restored Casa Romana, the Roman Odeon and many more— the imposing medieval Castle of Nerantzia, which dominates the entrance of the harbor, as well as the fountains, mosques and other remnants from the island’s Ottoman occupation period. Your stroll will take you through picturesque cobblestone alleys with traditional Cycladic houses and elegant Italian buildings, like the one that now houses the Archaeological Museum.

Scattered around the vibrant streets of Kos Town, you will find a plethora of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, where you can pause and fuel up after your sightseeing expeditions.
As you will soon find out for yourself, one can never get enough of strolling around the medieval Old Town, which definitely ranks as the very best thing to do in Rhodes!

Explore Kos Town

The beaches in Kos rank among the most beautiful ones in the Dodecanese, so taking the time to enjoy the Aegean sun and the sea is definitely one of the very best things to do for an unforgettable vacation. Sandy or pebbly, organized or secluded — whichever kind of beach you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes.
- One of the top beaches to explore is Mastichari, a heavenly resort with white sand and emerald waters that never fails to captivate visitors.
- Located in the southern part of the island, Agios Stefanos is another great choice. Boasting amazing views of Kastri Islet, it is a well-organized beach offering an array of exciting water sports.
- Kardamena is one of the most popular beaches on the island (if not the most popular). The coastline around the main beach combines well-organized and secluded spots of great natural beauty.

Discover the best beaches

Finding a nice place to stay won’t be a problem in Kos; from cozy apartments to luxury complexes, the choice is endless and all you have to do is pick the one that best fits your idea of a dream holiday. Here are a few of our favorite hotels and accommodations in Kos:
- Grecotel Imperial Thalasso is the epitome of luxury; with its six mesmerizing seawater pools, including a lagoon-like pool with waterfalls, great restaurants and a state-of-the-art spa and wellness center, it is the perfect place for a truly relaxing and carefree holiday.
- Housed in a historic 1927 Italian building that stands out as one of the most iconic landmarks of Kos, the Albergo Gelsomino is a unique seaside hotel located in the heart of Kos Town. Its elegant furnishings and stunning sea views make lodging there an experience in itself.
- One of the best choices in the popular Kardamena resort is the Lagas Aegean Village, a complex spread out on the slopes of a hill with breathtaking views of Nisyros and the coasts of Turkey. Guests are sure to love its top-notch sports facilities and Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool.

Our selection of the best hotels

Kos has always been renowned for its fertile soil and top-quality agricultural produce. Often referred to as the “island of the blessed” or a “floating garden” in ancient times, it has upheld its reputation through the centuries, and now many of its emblematic products, including cheese, tomatoes, honey, virgin olive oil and wines, form the basis for mouthwatering recipes. So, one of the very best things to do on the island is to explore its rich culinary tradition, a version of the world-renowned Mediterranean cuisine with a local flair. Look out for chtapodokeftedes (octopus balls) and the unique krasotyri, a goat cheese variety cured in red wine, which can be served as a meze or be used in traditional small pies (katimeria) drizzled with honey.

Among the best places to enjoy scrumptious dishes are the Oromedon tavern in mountainous Zia, the traditional Avli restaurant in Kardamena, and Elia in Kos Town, which is housed in a renovated 1890 building.

See the best restaurants

Good though Kos’ bus service may be, it will only get you so far. Renting a car is one of the best things to do as it will save you time and unlock destinations that cannot be accessed in any other way. With your own car, you will be able to move around the island at your own pace, go around the variegated coastline, and discover all the off-the-beaten-track gems waiting to be explored.
Book your car with us! We offer the best rates on the market!

Book your car at the best rate

Built on the slopes of a verdant hill just 4 kilometers from Kos Town, the Asclepieion of Kos was one of the most renowned healing temples in the ancient Greek world and is now considered the most significant archaeological sight on the island. It was where Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician often credited as the Father of Medicine, established his school, and it consisted of monumental buildings that have been partly restored. Visitors can still admire the ruins of the sanctuaries and temples, as well as the amazing views of the Aegean Sea, which accentuate the serenity and beauty of the place.

More about the Asclepieion of Kos

Kos is ideally located close to a number of enchanting destinations, as well as tiny islets with pristine turquoise waters and sun-kissed beaches. One of the best things to do to combine as many of them as possible is to go on a full-day boat tour of no less than 3 islands! Enjoy the magnificent coastline of Kalymnos, with its gulfs, sea caves and inlets, explore the quaint streets of Vathy village and try out the local specialties. Swim in the turquoise waters of Plati and Pserimos, and watch out for dolphins as you pass by the nearby fish farms. Feel the soft breeze on your face and embrace the immensity of the azure sea: this is all it takes for a wonderful day you will never forget.

Book the boat tour

For a truly magical evening, Zia is definitely the place to go. Built on the slopes of the island’s highest mountain, Mount Dikeos, it is a maze of narrow alleys, picturesque watermills and beautiful little houses painted in white and blue. Strolling around the village streets, visitors will find a plethora of shops selling traditional products, as well as numerous taverns that attract locals and visitors alike thanks to their delicious authentic recipes. However, the trademark of Zia is its glorious sunset, which you can enjoy from the top of the mountain or a romantic terrace, sipping a drink and savoring the local delicacies. If you don’t have a car, we recommend joining the roundtrip bus transfer to Mount Zia for a sunset viewing tour, which allows you to explore this charming village at your own pace.

Book the sunset viewing tour

Even after the sun sets, Kos is anything but boring; during the summer months, the island comes alive with a plethora of vibrant beach bars and nightclubs in which to dance the night away. If all you’re looking for is having a laid-back drink by the sea, enjoying the gentle breeze and the sight of the moored yachts, the island won’t disappoint you either thanks to its alternative bars, rooftops and cafes. The area around the port of Kos Town, along with Kardamena and Tigaki are the hubs of the island’s bustling nightlife. For a truly authentic dining experience, the best thing to do would be to drive to the much quieter traditional villages.

About Kos Nightlife

If hiking up to the crater of the country’s most recently-active volcano sounds like fun, visiting the neighboring island of Nisyros is hands-down one of the best things to do during your stay in Kos. Boasting a spectacular moonlike landscape characterized by colorful craters and fumaroles, Nisyros allows visitors to feel the primeval force of the lava rumbling deep beneath their feet as they enter its 3- or 4-kilometer-wide caldera. The trip from Kos to Nisyros lasts just 1 hour and the best way to experience it is to go on the Nisyros Island Volcano tour. Find out a wealth of information about the volcano and the history of the island from a knowledgeable guide, see the awe-inspiring steam geysers and complete the trip with a tour of Mandraki Port and the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani.

Book the Nisyros Volcano Tour

Fancy having an authentic spa experience for free? Then Thermes Beach is just the place to go! Located less than 12 kilometers from Kos Town, Thermes is, as its name indicates, endowed with natural thermal springs, offering the ultimate open-air wellness experience. Surrounded by deep, crystalline waters, it is covered with sand and dark volcanic pebbles, while steep towering cliffs add to its wild beauty. The spring actually owes its existence to the Nisyros volcano, with the hot water being carried all the way to Kos via underwater currents. It is contained in a kind of small lake, whose temperature ranges between 42 and 50 degrees Celcius, so alternately swimming in the hot spring and the cooler sea is the best way to make the most of the spring’s therapeutic properties. One of the best things to do is to come at night and enjoy your bath under the starry sky, watching how the moonlight is reflected by the sulphur, as if innumerable fireflies lay hidden beneath the surface of the sea!

Information about Thermes Beach

Kos is a paradise of top-quality water activities that can satisfy even the most demanding thrill seekers. In nearly all of the major beaches and resorts, you will find a plethora of facilities for windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, SUP, water skiing and much more, waiting for you to conquer the waters. Guaranteeing moments of endless fun, a water sports day is one of the best things to do to bond with family and friends and create memories you will all cherish for years to come. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to rent a boat from any of the water sports centers and enjoy the beauties of the Aegean Sea from a wholly different perspective.

Watersports centers in Kos

Thanks to Kos’ unique geographical position, a short trip to the town of Bodrum in neighboring Turkey is one of the best things to do to combine two different countries, continents and cultures in a single trip. Marvel at the formidable Bodrum Castle, which was built by the Knights of Saint John shortly after they took control of Rhodes, visit the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and walk around the streets of this picturesque seaside town. Experience the tastes and aromas of the East and, if history is not your kind of thing, have a truly authentic Turkish experience instead, by relaxing at a hammam. In order to avoid the hustle of arranging the ferry tickets on your own, we recommend booking the independent day trip to Bodrum tour, which will take you from Kos port to Bodrum in just 50 minutes and give you plenty of free time to explore the city on your own.

Book the trip to Bodrum

With Kos’ long-standing tradition in winemaking, embarking on a wine-tasting journey filled with exquisite flavors and aromas is a must. Perched on rolling hills covered with sun-kissed vineyards, the island’s family-owned wineries welcome visitors into their fields and gladly offer a wealth of information on the viticultural process. Some of the best wineries in Kos include Hatziemmanuil, Mesariano and Triantafyllopoulos, where you can taste mindblowing indigenous and international varieties, accompanied by perfectly matched local delicacies.

Explore the wineries

With its volcanic background, the seabed of Kos promises some of the most thrilling scuba diving experiences you are ever likely to have. Underwater caves and reefs, archway tunnels, ancient amphorae, spots that resemble underwater gardens and shipwrecks make up a diverse landscape teaming with rich marine life; you may even stumble upon dolphins and sea turtles, so keep your eyes peeled! All you have to do is visit one of the island’s diving centers and take advantage of their diving/snorkeling tours or enroll in one of their specialized courses to obtain a certificate. You will find a variety of programs addressed to people of all ages, regardless of any prior experience.

Scuba diving in Kos

One of the best things to do for an immersive experience of the island’s mesmerizing landscapes is to hike across some of its top trekking routes. Hike up to the top of Mount Dikeos and take in the stunning views, walk into the lush forest that leads to the abandoned Byzantine Castle-town of Palaio Pyli, or stroll through Plaka forest in Antimachia to admire scores of exotic peacocks. Discover the local flora and fauna and reconnect with nature in a truly rejuvenating experience. Even if you’re not into hiking, the hiking trails of Kos are so beautiful that you’re sure to leave with a new hobby!

Hiking and trails in Kos

With the weather being usually warm and dry, open-air cinemas have become an integral part of Greek summer nights. The experience of watching a film under the starry sky is certainly one of a kind, so visiting the Orfeas open-air cinema in Kos Town is one of the best things to do to make the most of your stay in Kos.

Discover the open-air cinemas

Stretching over a 75,000-square-meter area, the Lido Waterpark offers the perfect getaway for the whole family. Complemented by a rejuvenating jacuzzi, a kids’ area and outdoor eating establishments, it is filled with all kinds of pools, thrilling slides, crazy rivers and wave pools. Children are sure to love it and it might well turn out to be the highlight of the holiday for them.

More about Lido Waterpark

One of the things that make the island of Kos stand out is its decades-long reputation as “the island of bicycles”: a cycling paradise with more than 16 kilometers of bike lanes, thousands of bicycles available for rent and an extraordinary variety of terrains. With an assortment of completely flat, mountainous and mixed roads, it offers routes of varying difficulty levels and is a top choice among cycling enthusiasts. Using a bike to move around during your holiday grants autonomy and flexibility and is a great way to discover the island’s hidden gems.

Discover the cycling routes

One of the best ways to experience the authentic local customs is to attend one of the colorful festivals of Kos. Prominent among them are the panigyria, the religious celebrations taking place in the villages in honor of their patron saints. The feasts are always accompanied by abundant food and drinks, as well as by traditional music and dancing, and visitors are more than welcome to join in the fun. Over the summer months, festivals inspired by the island’s top products are also organized in various parts of the island.

Read more about the local festivals

But that's not all! There are a lot more things to do, from playing tennis to enjoying a tasty cocktail at one of the several bars!
We invite you to explore even more options that the island has to offer: