Kos with kids: 12 activities for your family vacation

Kos is an ideal destination for families and so you are welcome almost everywhere with children. Strict looks are rare, even if the dwarfs play really exuberantly.

»The Greek island of Kos is perfect for a holiday with the whole family.«

The Greeks are a very child-loving people and absolutely relaxed when dealing with the little ones. You can often see Greek children romping around in village squares late in the evening and some of them quickly become friends with the Greek mentality.

The journey to Kos is limited with a flight time of just under three hours and transfer times to the hotels of just under 30 minutes. Many of the larger hotels offer good childcare, so that a relaxed Family holidays in Kos nothing stands in the way.

Below you will find our best tips and ideas on how to enjoy Kos with kids to the fullest. Personal recommendations for Family Hotels in Kos we will tell you further down in the article. We hope you enjoy exploring the island of Kos as a family:

#1 Tourist train from Kos

An extended city tour with children can be quite exhausting in sweaty temperatures and large crowds. If the legs of young and old are weak, then we recommend a ride on the tourist train, the Kos City Train. In Kos, the vehicle is also called Trainaki or ELMA-KOS.

The departure of the tourist train from Kos is located directly on the harbour promenade between the town hall and the Neratzia Castle as well as on the dolphin square. There is a short Kos Town tour that lasts only 20 minutes and takes you past the main attractions of Kos Town. The grand tour lasts one hour and goes all the way to the Sanctuary Asklepieion of Kos and the Hippocrates Museum.

After the excursion with the tourist train, it is worth taking a detour from the harbour to the Ice cream parlor special (Meg. Alexandrou 8) or Gelateria Nonno Enzo (Vasileos Georgiou 7). The different types of ice cream are delicious and the portions in Greece are very generous. Afterwards we go back to the city center of Kos.

#2 Water parks in Kos

Lido Water Park

Between the villages of Marmari and Mastichari lies a paradise for water lovers. The Lido Water Park offers all kinds of water fun on over 75,000 square metres, including nine slides that children from 1.20 metres tall can use.

There is also a pool area with wave pool, a children’s pool with water games, a trampoline and a snack bar. You are not allowed to bring your own food. This Water park of Kos is well-maintained and clean, there are lifeguards on site to ensure the safety of all bathers.

• Opening hours Lido Water Park: daily 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (end of May-end of Sep), admission: €18 adults, €14 children
• Website von Lido Water Park: www.lidowaterpark.com

After the water fun, it is worth taking a detour to the opposite Tam Tam Beach Restaurant. Here you as parents can relax with a cool drink and the kids can continue to let off steam on the associated playground.

Water park near Kardamena

In addition to the Lido Water Park, there is also the Aquatica Water Park. The slightly smaller park is part of the Hotel Atlantica Porto Bello, but is also accessible to non-guests. Tickets for this water park in Kos can be booked on-site or conveniently online.

In the Water park of Kardamena children must also be at least 1.20 meters tall for the seven slides. There are also several pools and a snack bar. Drinks and food may not be brought along. On site, there are lifeguards at every corner to check the correct use of the slides.

• Opening hours Aquatica Water Park: daily 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., admission €18 for adults, €14 for children (under 1.20 m free)
• Website von Aquatica Water Park: www.aquatica.gr

🚘 Our recommendation for car rental in Kos is Costas Car Rental – a friendly family business that we have known and appreciated personally for years. To explore the island with kids, it is worth renting a car. 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: Book Kos Car Hire

 

#3 Horseback riding in Kos

At Erika’s Horse Farm in Marmari, horse fans get their money’s worth. Even as a beginner, you can explore the beautiful north coast of Kos on horseback. You have the opportunity to ride together with your children or have the kids led on horses by employees.

The owner Erika is a riding instructor and, together with her team, runs the riding stable near the Kos Salt Lake. All the animals at Erika’s Horse Farm make a well-groomed and healthy impression. In addition to horses, there are other animals to marvel at on the grounds, such as peacocks, goats and donkeys. A café provides guests with drinks and snacks.

• Opening hours Erikas Horse Farm: daily 09:00 – 22:00, family ride (1.5 h) approx. 30 €, pony rides from 4 years (30 min) approx. 20 €
  

#4 Go-karting in Kos

If you are not so fond of horses, you will find the Go Kart Center of Marmari. Fun for young and old is guaranteed here! The facility and vehicles are in a well-maintained condition. The friendly staff gives a short briefing, after which you can start right away.

For children aged 6 – 9 years there are mini karts and for the very little ones (3 – 6 years) even battery-operated electric karts with a separate race track. In the south of Kos there is another kart track, Go Kart Kos Pro Track, about 4 km east of Kardameina. Both kart tracks on Kos have a small café for breaks.

• Opening hours Marmari Go Kart Center: daily 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., from 18 € (15 min) for normal karts, from 15 € (15 min) for mini-karts
• Opening hours Kardamena Go Kart Kos Pro: daily 10:00 am – 10:30 pm, from 15€ (10 min) for normal karts

#5 Natural Park of Zia

Away from the souvenir mile of Zia, there is a small animal park at the end of the mountain village. The natural grounds are attractively designed and quite manageable. The path always leads uphill, past deer, goats, donkeys, ducks and turtles and offers a good view native wildlife of Kos.

A Visit to the Natural Park of Zia is entertaining and therefore also ideal for small children. In addition to swings, you will also find hammocks and a playground on the site. In addition to ice cream, a kiosk also offers cool drinks (beer, soda) and its own herbal tea at fair prices.

From the top level of the Zia Natural Park you enjoy breathtaking views of the Kos coastline, the Aegean Sea and the surrounding Dodecanese Islands. By the way, a visit is also nice at sunset and rarely crowded at this time.

• Zia Natural Park opening hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset, admission approx. 4 €, children up to 11 years approx. 2 €
  

Note on our own behalf: Some enclosures in the Zia Zoo are unfortunately a bit small. It is to be hoped that these will be expanded in the future to allow the animals more exercise.

#6 Paleo Pyli: Pirate Hideout of Kos

In the old Castle ruins in the mountains of Kos, not far from the village of Pyli, you feel like you’ve been transported back to the time of the Crusaders. In the Middle Ages, the population fled behind the fortress walls when threatened by pirate attacks. The mysterious atmosphere of this place is especially exciting for children and Paleo Pyli is also one of the highlights of the island for us personally.

The Ascent to Paleo Pyli is a bit sweaty, but if everyone is fit, it’s easy to do. From the top, you can enjoy fantastic views of the north coast and the neighboring islands of Kos. Be careful with small children, however, the castle ruins are not secured and in some places it is very steep!

You can then fortify yourself in the opposite Tavern Oria. The rustic atmosphere is especially nice in the evening and the open-air toilet has become a cult on Kos. Simple Greek home cooking is served at slightly higher prices. The landlord Georgios is a bit dismissive, but a few words in Greek lighten the mood.

#7 Peacock Forest of Kos

A particularly popular excursion with children is the Peacock Forest Plaka not far from the airport. Hundreds of peacocks, stray cats and turtles live here. Especially in midsummer, it is pleasantly cool in the Peacock Forest and the fresh forest air offers a welcome change from a day at the beach.

#8 Swimming day at Paradise Beach

For older children who have passed the seahorse, the Paradise Beach not far from the isthmus of Kefalos, offers lots of water fun. There is a water park with a huge bouncy castle in the sea, where the kids can really let off steam.

The beach at Paradise Beach slopes gently and is therefore also suitable for small children. There is also a beach bar and sanitary facilities on site. You can rent umbrellas and sunbeds for about €10 per day.

Don’t forget your diving goggles, because bubbles in the water testify to the volcanic activity on Kos! For adults there are also jet ski and banana boats. Admission to the water park with bouncy castle costs about €5 for one hour of use.

#9 Hike to Aspri Petra Cave

Caves and grottos always exude a high attraction for children, so it is worth to take the entertaining Hike to Aspri Petra Cave at Kefalos. While the kids explore the cave, you as parents can enjoy the magnificent view of the western cape of Kos and the Aegean Sea.

More than 100 years ago, archaeologists found important finds from the Stone Age here. Even if the cave of Aspri Petra is not particularly spectacular today, there is always something for children to discover, even if it is only animal bones. Entering this remote cave on Kos is at your own risk.

#10 With the pirate boat to Nisyros

A descent into a still active volcanic crater? The kids usually think that’s really cool! So let’s go to a excursion to the volcanic island of Nisyros! The normal excursion boats depart from Kardamena at 09:30, the pirate ship does not start until 12:30, but usually does not return until around 18:30.

If you don’t want to organize your trip to Nisyros yourself, you should check out the guided tours to Nisyros by Pirate Boat. They start from the port town of Kardamena in the south of Kos, in summer sometimes also from Kos Town. About our partner GetYourGuide* you can book places for your family on the boat right away:

➲ To the guided tour to Nisyros*

#11 Kos 3 Islands Tour

A real experience, especially for schoolchildren and teenagers, is the 3 Islands Tour from Kos Town. An excursion boat takes you to the northern neighboring islands of Pserimos, Plati and Kalymnos, past turquoise-blue bays. Usually a stop is made in the pretty coastal town of Vathys on Kalymnos, where you can jump directly from the ship into the cool water.

A simple barbecue is usually also available in the so-called Kos Three Island Tour. With a bit of luck, you can even see dolphins during the boat trip. The excursion boats depart daily from the port of Kos Town. For more information about the tour to Kalymnos click on the link to GetYourGuide*:

➲ To the guided tour to Kalymnos*

#12 Kos beaches for children

Especially the northern beaches of Kos slope gently into the sea and are therefore also suitable for the little ones. At the Kos beaches around Marmari and Tigaki in the north there is enough sand to build castles and you can sometimes walk meters into the sea.

Agios Stefanos Beach in Kefalos also drops pleasantly shallow into the sea. Between the ruins of an early Christian church, young explorers track down the history of the island. Experienced swimmers of all ages can swim to Kastri Island. Since the exit at the tiny islet is rocky, bathing shoes are recommended.

If you are looking for some peace and quiet away from the tourist hustle and bustle, then we recommend the Kochylari Beach on Kefalos. This sandy beach also slopes very gently into the sea and is therefore perfect for children. There is a restaurant on site, which provides bathers with drinks and snacks, as well as sun loungers for rent.

TOP 10 Family Hotels in Kos

Blue Lagoon Village

5-star hotel in a very isolated and quiet location. Courteous staff, modern rooms, as well as a great pool area and beautiful beach in front of the hotel. Due to the remote character, there are no dining or shopping facilities nearby.

Blue Lagoon Village Info: All-inclusive meals, childcare and club, playground, children’s pools, water slides

➲ To the booking of Blue Lagoon Village (Holidaycheck)*

Caravia Beach Hotel

Popular 4-star hotel near Marmari with a green area directly on the beautiful sandy beach. Holidaymakers praise the quality of the food on offer, the spacious rooms and the large pool area.

Caravia Beach Hotel Info: All-inclusive catering, childcare and club, playground, children’s pools, water park and slides

➲ To the booking of Caravia Beach Hotel (Holidaycheck)*

Horizon Beach Hotel

Beach resort located just outside Mastichari. Quiet location with modern rooms, well-kept grounds with several pool areas, as well as friendly and helpful staff.

Horizon Beach Hotel Info: Half board, children’s club, playground, children’s pools

➲ Book Horizon Beach (Holidaycheck)*

Mitsis Hotels including Norida Beach, Mitsis Blue Domes

About 5 km from Kardamena, this holiday village of the Greek hotel chain Mitsis offers various facilities such as restaurants and bars, pool areas and children’s and leisure activities. For families, the hotels Norida Beach and Mitsis Blue Domes are suitable.

Mitsis Hotels Info: All-inclusive catering, childcare and club, playground, children’s pools, water slides, children’s disco

➲ To the booking of Mitsis Norida Beach (Holidaycheck)*

➲ To the booking of Mitsis Blue Domes (Holidaycheck)*

Neptune Luxury Resort

Spacious and beautifully landscaped holiday resort directly on the sea, not far from the village of Mastichari. On a walk through the green grounds, you feel like you’re in a Mediterranean village. There are several swimming pools, various children’s facilities and leisure activities on site, ideal for the perfect holiday in Kos with children.

Neptune Luxury Resort Info: Half-board, Childcare and club, Playground, Children’s pools, Children’s disco, Water playground

➲ Book Neptune Hotel (Holidaycheck)*

Porto Bello Beach Hotel

Large 4-star family resort in the south of Kos. Spacious rooms, palm-lined grounds and fine sandy beach right in front of the hotel. The Aquatica Water Park (free admission for hotel guests) is located directly above the hotel.

Porto Bello Beach Hotel Infos: All-inclusive board, kids’ club, playground, kids’ pools, water park and slides

➲ To the booking of Porto Bello Beach (Holidaycheck)*

Cheap Family Hotels in Kos

We recommend to book the following hotels for a Cheap family holiday on Kos. Click on the links from Booking.com* and get more information about the hotels:

• Mastichari Bay Hotel*
• Gaia Garden Hotel*
• Nissia Kamares*

→ More articles and numerous Travel tips for the island of Kos can be found at: Kos Island Overview

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