Should You Visit Kos?

Is Kos worth visiting?

This island is a good place to visit for two to five days. During our first trip to Kos in 2011, we fell in love with the Mediterranean setting and beautiful water. We've come back several times since then to experience it even more. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in Conde Nast's Best Islands of Europe. 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.

Kos, Greece

Reasons to Visit Kos

Museums
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!

Food
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.

Scuba Diving & 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.

Beaches
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.

Nightlife
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.

Resorts
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.

Hiking
This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Shopping
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.

Authenticity
Kos has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.

Things to Consider Before Visiting Kos

Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.

The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Kos might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Kos here or see if Kos is expensive here.

Related

What is Kos most famous for?

Kos is most famous for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. People visit this impressive island for its great museums, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. It is also known for its great nightlife. And many visitors also come to this island for its resorts, hiking, and shopping. It is often described as ancient, cultural, party-hard, vibrant, and beautiful.

What is the most famous sight in Kos?

The most popular sight in Kos is Asklepieion Archeological Site. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Kos on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Asklepieion Archeological Site and other attractions here.

How touristy is Kos? Is it a popular island to visit?

Kos is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

• Half day boat diving experience in Kos Greece: $98
• Kos Premium Sunset Safari Tour: $97
• Half Day Snorkeling Experience in Kos Greece: $54
• Kos Adventure eMTB tours: $174
• Full-Day 3 Island Cruise Tour in Kos Island: $37
• Dory's Glass Bottom Boat Adventure in Pserimos and Pserimos Beach: $29
• Full Day 3-Island Boat Cruise from Port of Kos: $38
• The Santa Maria Full-Day Island Cruise in Aegean Sea: $34

How long should I spend in Kos?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Kos is two to five days. Since Kos has a variety of activities such as dining, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and museums, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kos?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Kos?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Kos?.