The volcanic origin of Kos endows the island with several hot springs, with two thermal baths officially known. The Piso Thermea can only be reached by sea. Only about eight kilometers to the west is another thermal spring of Kos, the Embros Thermal Baths, directly on the sea under the cliffs of the Dikeos Mountains.
“If 35 degrees in the shade is not enough for you, you can dive into the 50 degree hot water of the Embros Thermal Baths on Kos.”
The Embros Thermea (also Empros Therma) is well developed for tourism, as it is easy to reach by land. It is located about 12 kilometers from Kos Town in the far southeast of Kos. All important information for your visit to the Thermal Springs of Kos can be found in this article:
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#1 How to get to the Embros Thermal Baths in Kos
The thermal springs are accessible from Kos Town via the Kos Resorts Psalidi and Agios Fokas. From the bus stop in Kos Town next to the Albergo Gelsomino Hotel, regularly during the day buses go to Embros Thermea. The journey time with the City Bus line 5 is about 20 minutes.
We recommend to go by rental car to the Kos thermal springs. The road always leads along the coast over the cape of Psalidi and Agios Fokas. If you are in the best condition, you can also start the route by mountain bike. However, the bike paths from Kos Town to the Embros Thermea are not yet developed and you have to make do with the road.
→ You can find out everything you need to know about the capital of Kos here: Kos Town
By rental car to the Embros Thermea
Our recommendation for car rental on Kos is Costas Car Rental – a friendly family business that we have known and appreciated personally for years. Well-maintained cars, uncomplicated service and top ratings on Google speak for themselves. From small cars to family cars, everything is there. Click here for the desired vehicle for Kos:
From the hamlet of Agios Fokas it is less than 10 minutes to the unpaved Parking lot of the Embros Thermea. Here you can park your vehicle free of charge and walk about 10-15 minutes down a dusty track. Although it would theoretically be possible to drive to the beach by off-road vehicle, we advise against it out of consideration for pedestrians.
The 500 m long path is steep and somewhat slippery, every now and then a strong wind blows the dust into your face, sturdy shoes are strongly recommended. Beware of falling stones, the Embros Thermal Bath is located directly on the steep coast and rock breaks can occur here at any time.
- Embros Thermea Admission: The thermal springs of Kos are accessible all year round and admission is free
#2 Kos Thermal Spring
After you have passed the first section of the beach, an approx. 25 m² natural pool awaits you on site, which is lined with stones. The water of the Therma Springs Kos comes from the mountains and is caught in a small shallow basin down by the sea. Water at temperatures of up to 80 degrees gushes out of the crevices at the edges of the Embros Thermal Springs.
You should not get too close to the edge areas, otherwise you will easily scald yourself. In the pool itself, the average temperature is 49 degrees and small gas bubbles rise to the surface. The sea water, which sloshes over the rocks from time to time, offers a welcome cooling.
The hot thermal water is rich in minerals and smells a bit like rotten eggs due to the high sulphur content. Nevertheless, a bath in the water of the Embros Thermea has a healing effect and alleviate a wide variety of diseases of the skin, respiratory tract, joints and muscles.
It is better not to wear costume jewellery and light-coloured swimwear, as these can easily discolour due to the mineral water. The floor of the Embros Thermal Bath is stony and for sensitive feet bathing shoes (link to Amazon.com*) suitable for this beach on Kos.
The Water temperature of the Embros Springs has increased significantly in recent years due to increased thermal activity. To avoid burns, you should only swim at the edge, at the visible stone boundary to the sea.
Massage at the Embros Thermea
After a warming spa, you feel a bit sleepy and relaxed. What could be better than a relaxing massage. Since 2016, the friendly team of Afrodite Massage offers massage treatments at fair prices in a beach pavilion right next to the Embros Thermea Pool.
In addition to the classic massage, Thai massage, hot stone, mudtherapy and body scrubs are also offered. Normal massages at the Embros Thermea cost about 30 € for 45 minutes, special massages between 20 and 30 €. If you want to take advantage of the offer, be sure to take cash with you.
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#3 Therma Beach
The Therma Beach is the relatively quiet bathing section east of the thermal baths of Kos. It is made of coarse grey pebbles and in summer parasols and sunbeds are covered by the rustic Taverna Empros Thermes provided for a fee.
For a drink or a small bite, the beach pub is sufficient, you better save the hunger for lunch. The colorful raffia chairs and palm umbrellas right by the sea are at least an original photo motif. However, the beach at the Embros thermal baths did not encourage us to (sun) bathe.
→ The The most beautiful beaches on Kos we will tell you in this article: Kos Beaches
#4 Is the Embros Thermea worth it?
In the high season, you have to share the small pool of the Embros Hot Springs with numerous other holidaymakers and it can get very crowded at times. We recommend anyone who prefers to take a quiet bath to visit at sunrise or in the evening. On the one hand, the outside temperatures are a bit more pleasant and on the other hand, there are significantly fewer people on site.
Especially in midsummer with a daytime temperature of over 35 degrees on Kos, it is not always pleasant to get into a warm bathtub of up to 50 degrees. In addition, there are no trees to provide shade, so you lie in the blazing sun.
Don’t expect too much from the actual place, because the barren beach section of the Embros Hot Springs on Kos is not necessarily very attractive. In addition to a few dilapidated buildings, some people unfortunately also leave their garbage lying around from time to time.
Since admission is free of charge and the natural thermal baths are not operated commercially, there is officially no responsible person who keeps the place clean and maintains. There are no changing rooms or toilets at the Embros Thermae. If all this deters you, it’s best to look for another destination on Kos.
→ In this article, we have prepared for you popular excursions on Kos: Kos Tours
Mobile phone network at the Embros-Thermea
Radio reception in the Embros Thermal Springs is very limited due to the exposed location. Nevertheless, caution is advised with the local mobile phone network. Due to the proximity to Turkey, some mobile phones automatically dial into the Turkish network, even though they are on Greek territory. Unfortunately, this can be very expensive, as we have already experienced ourselves. So it’s best to select a Greek network manually and deactivate the automatic network selection.
#5 More tips for the Kos Thermal Baths
Hotels near Embros Thermea
The nearest villages to the southeast are the holiday hamlets of Agios Fokas and Psalidi. We can recommend the following hotels with good customer reviews, click on the links to Booking.com* for more information:
- Andromeda Hotel Apartments (3 stars)*
- Blue Lagoon Ocean Resort (4-star)*
- Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites (5-star)*
- Michelangelo Resort & Spa (5-star)*
- Platanista Hotel (4 stars)*
Beach bars near the Embros Thermal Springs
At the Embros Thermea there is a small snack stand at the top of the parking lot with soft drinks, ice cream and small snacks. The prices are quite high due to the touristic location and the ambience on site is not necessarily inviting.
Ammos Beach Bar
Chic trendy bar halfway back to Kos town. The ambience is modern and tasteful, there are many young people and chilled lounge music booms out of the speakers. The beach section is well-maintained and the comfortable seating invites you to linger. A delicious cocktail and a few snacks are a wonderful way to end the afternoon.
Agios Fokas Beach Club
Popular beach bar on the beach of Agios Fokas, right next to the Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites. The prices are quite high, but the loungers are free of charge when consumed. Like most of the beaches at Agios Fokaes, this stretch of coastline is made up of grey gravel. But the view of the sea and the chilled lounge music invite you to relax.
Other excursions on the island of Kos
The island of Kos offers numerous excursion options that you can do on your own or as part of a guided tour. Click on the links below for more information from our partner GetYourGuide*.
➲ To the 3-island tour with BBQ*
→ More articles and useful Travel tips for the island of Kos can be found at:
- Asklepieion of Kos
- Kos Holidays – 11 Important information
- Kos Island – Travel guide
- Best Hotels Kos
- Kos Island with children
- Our highlights on Kos
- Zia Kos – Excursion to the mountain village
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