Kos Travel & Vacation Guide

Agios Theologos is one of the beautiful beaches on Kos island. Also known as 'Wave Beach', this is the preferred spot for surfing and kiting.

Experience an Ancient Greek Market by taking a stroll around this well-preserved archaeological site. The ruins include the shrines of Aphrodite and Hercules.

Famous Greek monuments and splendid artworks from different historical periods are exhibited at The Archaeological Museum of Kos. The most extraordinary displays here include beautiful mosaics, statues from the ancient site of Asklepeion, an extensive collection of prehistoric pottery and metallic objects, exhibits from a tomb of a young athlete dating back to the 3rd century B.C, coins, anaglyphs with various representations and many other items.

In ancient Greece, an Asklepieion was a healing temple, sacred to Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing. Legend has it that Hippocrates undertook his training there. Settled atop a hill, this is a perfect place to enjoy a panoramic view of Kos Town.

An ornately decorated Hellenistic-period mansion, this famous house retains some of the 3rd century architectural features of the building which stood here before it. Inside, there is a treasure trove of ornaments and statues.

The fortress of Antimachia sits on top of a small hill in the village of Antimachia, offering amazing coastal views. Inside you will find two Venetian churches known as Agios Nikolaos, 16th century, and Agia Paraskevi, 18th century.

The Dolphin Fountain is a popular tourist spot on Kos, situated on a small square along the harbour.

For an invigorating swim, Embros Thermae, also called The Therma, is an enormous pool with thermal springs, surrounded by circling rocks.

Arco Experience, formerly Avra Project, is one of the most luxurious and elegant cafes in Kos. Even the most demanding customers are going to be more than pleased by the excellent staff. They offer a great variety of coffees, snacks, soft drinks, wines, champagnes, spirits and many more. A place for the day or the night.

Artemis Heaven Beach Bar, a modern and cool bar where to relax both day and night. Enjoy the beautiful beach of the Aegean Sea while sipping a cocktail, served by the friendly and attentive staff. If you are feeling hungry, do not worry, they serve food too. Free sunbeds are provided on the beach.

Lounge cafe during the day, gourmet restaurant during the evening and a bar during the night. The talented staff perfectly combines a charming combination of Greek cuisine with international dishes. The wave-front tables make the experience unforgettable.

Harem Beach Bar is located between Lambi and Kos town and is decorated to resemble a harem. It has colourful drapes, velvet cushions, atmospheric lightning and plays good music. You can choose between a cushion on the floor or the more traditional seating in chairs. This bar also has an outdoor area by the beach.

Jackson's Beach Bar has a wooden setting that functions both as a bar and restaurant along the beach. It serves excellent snacks and meals during the day and a fantastic bar experience during the night. You will definitely have a good time with its warm and friendly service. Open from July to October and closed during winter.

The King Size beach bar is a private beach and bar in Tigaki. It is a buzzing place of fun and activities during summer as locals and tourists enjoy the site of the beach and the sun. At night, its sunny ambience transforms into neon lights as people enjoy sipping their fresh drinks, superb cocktails and delicious snacks.

Mylos is a fantastic bar with an open-air disco right by the beach. You can anticipate a comfortable atmosphere of sea breeze while good music is playing in the background. This place is a centre of attraction for hundreds of locals and tourists every night and day.

PortoEye is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee while listening to the waves. Modern, unique and with excellent music that puts you in a relaxed vacation mood. During the night, it is a lively bar with great atmosphere and colourful cocktails.

Delfis opened its doors to the public in 1997 as an artistic gift and tourist shop. The highlights of the workshop are Greek handmade items such as colourful wooden magnets, ceramics, and other miniature decorations. All of these products are carefully crafted and painted by the shop owner to meet the taste of a Greek tradition.

Diakogiannis is a famous family-run jewellery shop on the island. Since 1885, it has offered beautiful handcrafted jewels made through a high quality of meticulous workmanship. This shop promotes precious pieces from inspired Greek jewellery designers such as Katerina Ioannidis, Margarita Meitani, and Dolly Boukoyiannis. You also find an extensive collection of exclusive watch labels, including Swatch, Seiko and Dolce & Gabbana.

Kos Municipal Market, also known as Μercato delle Erbe, is a compact indoor market housed in an impressive Italian building on Eleftherias Square. You can find traditional touristy gifts, fruits and vegetables, oils, herbs, honey and much more.

Limnoupoli Toy Shop is an entertaining toy store for kids and everyone with a childlike mind. They have all sorts of international toy brands like Lego, Playskool, Mattel and a lot more. Get yourself some board games or playing cards to play at the beach.

For wooden knickknacks, visit Olive Wood. They offer handmade wooden items, jewellery and traditional games. Besides that, they also sell cosmetics like soaps, lotions and shampoos, all made with organic olive oil.

The Imaginarium is a magical store brimming with bespoke, handmade gifts and souvenirs. Tucked away near the iconic Tree of Hippocrates on Platanou Square, this shop is a treasure trove of extraordinary keepsakes. From a vibrant blue jellyfish to an octopus frame and exquisite pottery vases, each piece goes beyond the usual cliche souvenir. Easily accessible near Castle Square and run by a friendly owner, you'll leave with more than just memories.

There are two main seasons in Kos, the cold and warm season; here you will experience dry hot summers and mild winters. The summer in Kos is from May to October and the high tourist season on the island is from June to August. If you want to avoid the crowd and travel cheaper, then May and September are good months to visit. The cold season starts in the beginning of December and ends in March. During these months, the average temperature stays below 15°C (60°F).

Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Greece, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

Kos Island International Airport, also known as Hippocrates Airport, is located near Andimachia village and lies about 26 kilometres from Kos Town. The easiest way to get to the city is to catch a taxi, available at the airport arrival gate. The journey from the Airport to Kos takes about 30-35 minutes. If you prefer the local transport, then head over to the big roundabout outside the airport gate and catch the orange and cream coloured KTEL bus. The bus service is offered between the Airport and the city of Kos, Mastichari, Kardamena and Kefalos The tickets have very reasonable prices and are available on board. It usually takes about 25 minutes for the bus to travel between the city centre and the airport.

The bus service on Kos is very well organised and ticket prices are reasonable. The public transport KTEL travels between cities and their tickets are available on-board on the bus or at the station. You can find the main bus station on Kleopatras Street in Kos Town. The island can easily be explored by bike, as it is relatively flat. If the weather is too hot or you don't like biking, you can choose to navigate by scooter or car.

Taxis on Kos are metered, making it easy to keep track of your fare. You'll find them stationed at local offices or cruising along the streets. If you need a ride right away, you can call a taxi, though bear in mind it may carry an extra fee. Kos Taxi is one of the most dependable companies serving the island.

Greece uses the Type F electrical plug with two round pins, same as in many countries in Continental Europe. The standard voltage is 230 volts, but some hotels have special plugs for 110 or 120-volt shavers.

There are several pharmacies in Kos Town and generally they can also be found in the resorts. Greek pharmacies are rarely open in the afternoon or at weekends.

Stamps can be bought in most tobacco shops and kiosks selling postcards. There are a few post offices around the island and in Kos Town.