A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kos vs. San Remo for Food, Beaches, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kos or San Remo?

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 San Remo 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 party-hard, vibrant, and beautiful island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

San Remo

San Remo is a authentic, historic, and relaxing coastal city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Kos and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Impressive beauty
Cons
  • Less popular with backpackers


How is Kos different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Kos or San Remo Better for Food?

Kos
San Remo

Both Kos and San Remo offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Kos have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit San Remo. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.


Is Kos or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

Kos
San Remo

Both Kos and San Remo have similar vibes after the sun sets.

Kos has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

San Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is Kos or San Remo Better for Beaches?

Kos
San Remo

Both Kos and San Remo are considered to be good beach destinations.

Kos is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Many people visit San Remo for it's beautiful beaches. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

Is Kos or San Remo Better for Shopping?

Kos
San Remo

Shoppers can find a variety of stores in both Kos and San Remo.

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.

San Remo offers some nice shopping areas. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Kos or San Remo Better for Families?

Kos
San Remo

Both Kos and San Remo are fun to visit with kids.

Kos is a family-friendly island. 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.

San Remo is a very kid-friendly island. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.


Is Kos or San Remo Better for Couples?

Kos
San Remo

Both Kos and San Remo are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Kos makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit San Remo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

Is Kos or San Remo Better for Public Transit?

Kos
San Remo

Visitors will find public transit in both Kos and San Remo.

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

You'll find some public transit in San Remo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses around town.

Is Kos or San Remo a more walkable city?

Kos
San Remo

Kos and San Remo are similar when it comes to walkability.

Kos is very walkable. 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.

San Remo is a very walkable island. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Kos?

How long in Kos or San Remo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kos or San Remo to fill your time. Many people usually spend more of their time in Kos than San Remo.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Kos is 2-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to San Remo is 1-2 days.


  • How many days in Kos or San Remo? Ideal Length of Stay
    Kos 2-5 
    San Remo 1-2

One day in Kos or San Remo?

The beautiful island of Kos offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With food and shopping around the beautiful destination of San Remo, there's plenty to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 San Remo?

Kos is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kos, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Many people visit San Remo for a weekend. With shopping and nightlife around the authentic coastal city of San Remo, there's plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or San Remo?

Kos is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kos, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The destination of San Remo offers nightlife and food. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 San Remo?

Kos is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

San Remo, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Which city is cheaper, San Remo or Kos?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kos is €134, while the average daily cost in San Remo is €152. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kos and San Remo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kos 62
    San Remo 80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kos 124
    San Remo 160
Compare Hotels in Kos and San Remo

Looking for a hotel in Kos or San Remo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Kos


Hotels in San Remo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kos Hotel Prices and San Remo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kos 37
    San Remo 46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kos

Also for Kos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private departure Transfer from Kos island resorts to Kos airport: $96
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Kos Island to Kos Airport (KGS): $41
  • Private Transfer to/from Kos Airport (KGS): $71
  • Kos - Airport Private Transfer: $62

Is it cheaper to fly into Kos or San Remo?

Prices for flights to both San Remo and Kos change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kos 43
    San Remo 44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kos 33
    San Remo 23

Tours and Activities in Kos

For Kos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Kalymnos and Pserimos Day Cruise: $55
  • Photo tour island of Kos: $684

Tours and Activities in San Remo

For San Remo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Cape Woolamai Sightseeing Cruise from San Remo: $24
  • Dolphin & Whale Cruise: $87
  • Phillip Island, George Bass Coastal Walk and Penguins Tour: $170

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kos 19
    San Remo 14


When comparing the travel costs between Kos and San Remo, we can see that San Remo 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.

Budget Your Trip

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Kos vs. San Remo Travel Comparison

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