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

Should you visit Kos or Urbino?

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 Urbino 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 ancient, cultural, and party-hard island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Urbino

Urbino is a authentic, laid back, and historic town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Kos and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kos or Urbino?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kos than Urbino, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kos is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Urbino is more popular for its historical sights. Kos is well known for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. Also, Kos is famous for Asklepieion Archeological Site. Urbino is well known for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Kos different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Urbino 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 Urbino?

Kos is an amazing island to visit for its historical sights. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Kos has many famous sights for visitors. 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!

Urbino is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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

Kos is an amazing island to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Urbino makes for a great culinary experience. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Kos or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Kos is great for its evening party scene. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

Many people head to Kos for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Kos or Urbino Better for Resorts?

Kos is a island with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Urbino is not a resort destination.

Kos has a few great resort options. 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.

Urbino is not a resort destination.

Is Kos or Urbino Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos is an amazing island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Urbino is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Kos is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Urbino is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Urbino Better for Beaches?

Kos is an amazing island to visit for the beach. However, Urbino is not a beach destination.

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.

Urbino is not a beach destination.

Is Kos or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

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

Urbino is a good destination for visiting its old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Kos does not have a historic old town.

Is Kos or Urbino Better for Hiking?

Kos is a island with good options for hiking. However, Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Kos. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Urbino?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Kos and Urbino.

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.

Urbino offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Kos or Urbino Better for Families?

Kos is a island with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Kos offers lots of family activities. 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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Kos or Urbino Better for Couples?

Both Kos and Urbino are great 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 Urbino frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

Is Kos or Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kos is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Kos. 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Kos or Urbino Better for Students?

Urbino is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Kos is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Urbino. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

Kos is not popular with students.

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

Kos is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Kos. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Kos or Urbino a more walkable city?

Kos is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Kos is a very walkable destination. 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.

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Kos?

How long in Kos or Urbino?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kos or Urbino to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kos than Urbino because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 1-2 days is enough time in Urbino.

Families should spend more time in Kos than Urbino. 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 Urbino. 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 Urbino 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 Urbino?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Kos. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With nightlife and food around the historic destination of Urbino, 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 Urbino?

Kos is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Kos or Urbino?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kos. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The destination of Urbino 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 Urbino?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the ancient destination of Kos. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Urbino, a popular town, 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Kos and Urbino, 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 Urbino Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kos or Urbino?

Kos has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Urbino, 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.