A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kos vs. Bucharest for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Kos or Bucharest?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Bucharest can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kos

Kos is a cultural, party-hard, and vibrant island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a less touristy, undiscovered, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Kos and Bucharest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kos or Bucharest?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kos. Although Kos and Bucharest are popular destinations, Kos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kos is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bucharest attracts visitors for its historical sights and big city activities. Kos is more touristy than Bucharest and is popular for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. It is also well known for Asklepieion Archeological Site. Bucharest is famous for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Kos different from Bucharest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bucharest and Kos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kos or Bucharest?

Kos is renowned for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Kos are among the most recognizable in the world. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Is the Food Better in Kos or Bucharest? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kos is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Kos, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Is Kos or Bucharest Better for Nightlife?

Kos is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Kos is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Bucharest has a few options to choose from. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

Is Kos or Bucharest Better for Resorts?

Kos is a good destination for its resorts. However, Bucharest is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Kos makes a nice vacation spot. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Bucharest is not a resort destination.

Is Kos or Bucharest Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bucharest is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Kos. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Bucharest is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Bucharest Better for Beaches?

Kos is renowned for the beache. However, Bucharest is not a beach destination.

Kos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.

Bucharest is not a beach destination.

Is Kos or Bucharest Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Kos does not have a historic old town.

Bucharest is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Kos does not have a historic old town.

Is Kos or Bucharest Better for Hiking?

Kos is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

Kos offers some nice hiking trails. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Bucharest?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Kos and Bucharest.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Kos. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

Bucharest offers some nice shopping areas. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Is Kos or Bucharest Better for Families?

Kos is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kos. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Kos or Bucharest Better for Couples?

Kos is well known for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Couples visit Kos frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Kos or Bucharest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kos is well known for backpackers. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kos is a great island to visit for backpackers. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Is Kos or Bucharest Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Kos and Bucharest.

Visitors to Kos can move around easily with public transportation. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

The public transit in Bucharest can get you around easily. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Is Kos or Bucharest a more walkable city?

Kos is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Kos is a very walkable island. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable island. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Kos Worth Visiting? and Is Bucharest Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bucharest or Kos?

How long in Kos or Bucharest?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kos and Bucharest. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kos than in Bucharest. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bucharest.

Families should spend more time in Kos than Bucharest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kos, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Kos than Bucharest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kos that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kos than Bucharest if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kos.

One day in Kos or Bucharest?

You'll find nightlife and food around the island of Kos. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With nightlife and food around the less touristy destination of Bucharest, there's plenty to do. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Kos or Bucharest?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful destination of Kos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many people visit Bucharest for a weekend. With food and shopping around the undiscovered city of Bucharest, there's plenty to do. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Bucharest?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the cultural island of Kos. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

The destination of Bucharest offers shopping and museums. It offers something for everyone. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Kos or Bucharest?

Kos is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Bucharest, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania.

When comparing the travel costs between Kos and Bucharest, we can see that Kos is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kos Expensive? and Is Bucharest Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kos or Bucharest?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Bucharest, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.