The island of Hippocrates presents itself in a compact area as a real all-rounder for almost every type of holiday. To help you prepare for your upcoming Kos holiday, we answer 11 important questions about the island. We also give you useful tips for your holiday on Kos.
Holidaymakers particularly appreciate the kilometre-long sandy beaches of Kos and the island’s well-developed tourist infrastructure. Kos offers beautiful bays, green coniferous forests and the Dikeos Mountains, a rustic mountain region for active holidaymakers and those seeking peace and quiet.
In order to make your stay on the Greek island as pleasant as possible, we give you the most important information and tips for your holiday on Kos:
- #1 Where is the island of Kos?
- #2 Kos Airport
- #3 Size of Kos Island
- #4 Where are the most beautiful beaches in Kos?
- #5 Capital of Kos
- #6 Who is a Kos holiday suitable for?
- #7 Our experiences on holiday in Kos
- #8 Kos Hotels: Tips & Recommendations
- #9 Kos Holiday Homes and Villas
- #10 Kos Holiday Packages and All-Inclusive
- #11 Even more travel tips for your Kos holiday
🏖️ Dream beaches & hidden bays
🍽️ Restaurants, tavernas & cafés
🏛️ Must-see highlights & ancient sites
🗺️ Worthwhile spots & insider tips
🚘 Practical info like rentals & parking
♾️ Lifetime access & updates
#1 Where is the island of Kos?
Kos Island is located in the East Aegean Sea not far from the Turkish mainland and, like Rhodes, belongs to the Dodecanese archipelago. Immediate neighboring islands are Kalymnos, Pserimos and Nisyros. Due to its location, Kos is ideal for island hopping in Greece.
When is the best time to visit Kos?
The best time to visit Kos is from May to October. At this time, the weather in Kos is very pleasant and sunny. Some hotels on Kos are already open from the end of April. The season even lasts until the beginning of November. Personally, we prefer September as the best time to visit Kos with mild temperatures, warm sea and tranquility.
→ More information about the weather in Kos can be found in our separate article: Weather in Greece
#2 Kos Airport
The airport of Kos is called Cos Hippocrates (KGS). It is located on the outskirts of the village of Antimachia in the center of the island. Many airlines fly directly to Kos Airport from Germany. Among them are Condor, EasyJet, RyanAir and TUI. It is recommended to take an airport transfer in advance (bookable on GetYourGuide*) to the hotel.
How long does a flight to the island of Kos take?:
- Berlin to Kos Flight time: approx. 3 hours and 20 minutes
- Frankfurt to Kos Flight time: approx. 3 hours and 10 minutes
- Munich to Kos Flight time: approx. 2 hours and 45 minutes
→ About our partner Skyscanner* you can research cheap flights to Kos and book directly if necessary:
➲ To cheap flights to the island*
→ By ferry to Kos? This article will provide you with all the information you need: Ferries in Greece
#3 Size of Kos Island
With a length of 45 km and a maximum width of 11 km, Kos a compact island. Kos has an area of 290 km², the island of Rhodes is five times larger than Kos. Nevertheless, Kos, with its more than 33,000 inhabitants, is one of the most popular islands in Greece.
From west to east on Kos you need by car only a little more than an hour. So you can explore many beautiful places on your Kos holiday. Popular means of transport on Kos are not only rental cars but also buggies, quads and scooters.
Our recommendation for car hire 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:
#4 Where are the most beautiful beaches in Kos?
In the west, north and south are the most beautiful sandy beaches of the island of Kos. Especially on the north coast, these slope gently into the sea and are therefore also ideal for a family holiday. Kos scores as a Greek bathing paradise and on almost ten beaches on the island even the Blue Flag flies as a sign of good bathing water quality.
Most beautiful beaches in Kos:
- Kavo Paradiso
- Agios Stefanos Beach
- Blue Beach at Cape Helona
- Marmari Beach
- Sunny Beach
- Magic Beach
- Kochylari Beach
- Agios Theologos Beaches
In the east of the island, the beaches of Kos are mostly covered with gravel or stones. Bathing shoes (link to Amazon.com*) should always be in your luggage, because despite the sandy beach there are a few stones scattered in the water here and there.
→ Our personal beach recommendations for Kos can be found here: Kos Beaches
#5 Capital of Kos
The capital of Kos is called Kos Town and is located in the northeast of the island. With 19,000 inhabitants, more than half of the island’s population lives in the lively port city. You should definitely visit the city during your vacation on Kos.
→ Our tips for Kos Town we will tell you in this article: Kos Town
A Kos holiday in and around Kos Town is worthwhile for those who are looking for a lively nightlife and hip bars. You’ll also find a wide range of restaurants and plenty of options for shopping in Kos Town.
💡 Island hopping from Kos: Get on the ferry and off to the Aegean Sea! Our guide Island Hopping Dodecanese takes you to 9 islands, shows you the best highlights, beautiful beaches, cozy taverns, great accommodations and explains how you can organize an island hopping on your own. More information and excerpt here: Dodecanese Guide
#6 Who is a Kos holiday suitable for?
Kos is considered one of the most versatile Greek islands. A Kos holiday is interesting for almost every type of traveller. Kos is suitable for a beach holiday for two as well as for a family holiday with children. Both Greek newcomers and old hands feel at home on Kos.
→ Everything you need to know for your family holidays in Kos can be found in our article: Kos with children
Due to the good wind conditions, Kos is a popular destination for windsurfers and kiters. On the north coast around Marmari and Mastichari, in the east at Cape Psalidi and on the Kefalos peninsula there are surf stations that offer courses and equipment rental.
→ First time in Hellas? Here is the most important information about the travel destination: Greece
Kos is not without reason as a Greek bicycle island denoted. The flat profile in the north and east and the well-developed cycle paths invite you to take long tours on your bike. Bikes and e-bikes can be rented almost everywhere on site.
History buffs will visit the Archaeological Museum and the numerous archaeological sites in Kos Town, including the Ancient Agora. That Asklepieion of Kos is the most important historical site of Kos. A visit is worth it just for the beautiful view of Kos’ north coast.
Kos or Rhodes? Still not sure which Greek island you want for your next vacation? Then take a look at our island guide: Which Greek island is right for me?
#7 Our experiences on holiday in Kos
We have been traveling to the island of Kos since 2009. Every landing approach to the island feels like coming home to us. The enthusiasm for Kos has not diminished over the years. On the contrary, every time we get to know new corners of the Greek island.
→ All our tips for the island of Kos can be found here: Kos Island Overview
Personally, we like the West coast of Kos with its largely quiet peninsula of Kefalos. This region is more pristine and not quite as taken in by tourism as the rest of the island of Kos.
Around the southwestern cape of Kos near Agios Theologos, you will discover numerous blue and white chapels, lonely bays and secluded beaches (including Cavo Paradiso) on a quad bike tour. Here you can also enjoy the high season in Kos still undisturbed.
In Kos Town, on the other hand, we love to stroll through the shopping alleys, in one of the numerous cafés (tips: More Cafebar, Lemon Café or The Cup) or stock up on island souvenirs, such as olive oil or honey from Kos.
You should also not miss the authentic neighboring islands Nisyros and Kalymnos. Both can be used as part of a guided day tour from Kos or can be visited individually. About our partner GetYourGuide* you will receive further information about the tours:
➲ To the boat tour to Nisyros*
➲ To the boat tour to Kalymnos*
You can explore most of the highlights on Kos in a relaxed way on a day trip. We have explored a lot on Kos over the years, from ancient sites to hidden beaches. You can find all the information and tips in our Kos travel guide, which is already an indispensable companion for many holidaymakers on Kos.
🗺️ 10 road trip routes with maps
🏖️ Beautiful beaches & swimming spots
🏛️ All top sights & attractions
🤫 Unpublished insider tips
🍽️ Accommodation, tavernas & cafés
#8 Kos Hotels: Tips & Recommendations
The island offers beautiful hotels for a Kos holiday in all price categories. We have our Kos Hotels mostly via the platform Booking.com* booked. Here you will find luxury hotels, family hotels, as well as apartments and holiday apartments in Kos.
→ About Booking.com* you will find many accommodation in Kos and you can check prices here:
Hotel recommendations for Kos
Neptune Luxury Resort (Mastichari)
5-star hotel about 5 km outside the coastal town of Mastichari. Extensive green area, several swimming pools as well as restaurants and various leisure activities. You can get more information about the accommodation and check prices via Booking.com*:
➲ To book from Neptune Luxury Resort*
Nissia Kamares Hotel (Kardamena)
Aparthotel in the heart of the resort of Kardamena, yet in a quiet location. Cosy complex with tastefully furnished apartments, communal pool and bar. You can get more information about the accommodation and check prices for your holiday via Booking.com*:
➲ To book from Nissia Kamares Hotel*
Horizon Beach Resort (Mastichari)
Located just outside Mastichari, this 4-star hotel has a wide sandy beach in front of the hotel. Spacious, modern rooms, several pool areas, friendly staff and quiet location. You can book the hotel directly through our partner Booking.com*:
➲ To book from Horizon Beach Resort*
Blue Lagoon City Hotel (Kos Town)
City hotel located directly in the centre in a quiet side street. Good breakfast, courtyard pool and modern design and quality equipment. You can book the hotel directly through our partner Booking.com*:
#9 Kos Holiday Homes and Villas
Kos is ideal for an individual holiday. The many supermarkets and shops are ideal for self-catering. Numerous taverns and restaurants provide for the physical well-being. In Kefalos, Mastichari and around Zia you will find tasteful villas for a Kos holiday. On Booking.com* you can get a beautiful Kos holiday home:
➲ To holiday homes on the island*
#10 Kos Holiday Packages and All-Inclusive
There are numerous authentic and inexpensive taverns on Kos, which basically make all-inclusive superfluous. If you still want to be pampered all around, then you will find yourself in terms of a Kos package holidays especially along the north coast in Marmari and Tigaki.
Numerous Kos hotels with half board are located in the north between Mastichari and Tigaki. Also in Kardamena and Psalidi, as well as in the surroundings of Kos Town you will find many hotels, clubs and resorts. On the portal Check24* you can compare cheap offers for Kos package tours with each other:
💡 Help with the Greece Holiday Planning: You don’t know where to start and how to go about planning your Kos vacation? No problem, benefit from our years of experience with traveling to Greece and let us help you. We advise you on all your questions and concerns, even via video chat. You can book your consultation here: Travel Advice Greece
#11 Even more travel tips for your Kos holiday
There are many sights on the island of Kos that you can discover during your Kos vacation. You should definitely have a rental car on Kos or rent scooters to explore the island. The mountainous region around the Dikeos summit (846 m) has its charm and invites you to explore it. Children feel right at home in the Peacock Forest Plaka in Kos probably.
Here you can get more information and travel tips for your Kos holiday:
- The best hotels in Kos
- Our highlights on Kos
- Kos Excursions & Tours
- Kos Resorts – All holiday resorts at a glance
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