Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Kos?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Kos?
Many visitors spend two to five days in Kos during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The island offers the chance to explore the underwater world, lounge on the beach, spend time at the museums, and dine out at amazing restaurants.
Kos is a small Greek island that is in the Dodecanese island chain. It is only four kilometers from Turkey and is filled with beautiful landscapes and world class archaeological sites. People visit the island to explore its ancient ruins, relax on the beautiful sandy beaches, and enjoy the active party scene. At the heart of the island is Kos Town, but you'll find several nearby resort areas as well, many of which are connected by local buses.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Kos? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Kos?
Kos is popular with tourists and offers some fun sights and attractions. Three days is probably not enough time on the party-hard island. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Kos such as scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the food. To thoroughly enjoy the whole island, you'll probably want more time, as most travelers schedule two to five days here. Nevertheless, we have some nice suggestions for your visit below.
How to spend 3 days in Kos
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Kos is world-class, and is one of the main reasons why so many visitors come here. Spend a day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. 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.
The delicious food of Kos is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this island's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Kos Local Tasting - Wine, Oil & Honey ($137)
Kos is a very walkable city. With only a day in the island, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. 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.
The beautiful beaches await you in Kos, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Full-Day 3 Island Cruise Tour in Kos Island ($37)
- Dory's Glass Bottom Boat Adventure in Pserimos and Pserimos Beach ($30)
- Full Day 3-Island Boat Cruise from Port of Kos ($33)
Kos is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. With it's beautiful coves and ancient ruins, this small island packs a lot of activity into a small space.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Dory's Glass Bottom Boat Adventure in Pserimos and Pserimos Beach ($30)
- Full Day 3-Island Boat Cruise from Port of Kos ($33)
- Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands with optional pickup ($33)
Public transit in Kos is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the island quite easily. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.
Kos is known for it's world-class museums and famous landmarks, so make sure you spend at least a day exploring at one or more of the most appealing. 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!
A few tour suggestions include:
- Kos Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour ($7)
This island is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. 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.
Is 4 days enough time in Kos?
For many visitors, four days on Kos would be just the right amount of time. In fact, lots of tourists spend roughly two to five days in the party-hard island to check out the amazing scuba diving and snorkeling and terrific beaches. Below we have some suggestions on how to spend your time here.
Kos, Greece
How to spend 4 days in Kos
If you have more than 4 days in Kos, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the island has to offer.
Perhaps the most famous place in Kos is Asklepieion Archeological Site, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Kos?
Five days is more than enough for an in-depth trip to Kos, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Explore the underwater world, lounge on the beach, spend time at the museums, and dine out at amazing restaurants on your own schedule. Then, take some boat trips or day tours around the surrounding area.
How to spend 5 days in Kos
Having 5 days in Kos will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.
Known for it's hiking, Kos sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kos.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Kos, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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