Last updated: September 2026
Kos holidays offer a well-rounded and thoroughly enjoyable Greek island experience that has made this Dodecanese island one of the most popular destinations for UK travellers. The island combines some of Greece’s finest sandy beaches, a cosmopolitan harbour town rich in ancient and medieval history, lively family-friendly resorts and the unique bonus of easy day trips to Turkey – all within a compact, flat island that is perfect for exploring by bicycle. Kos punches well above its weight as a holiday destination.
Kos suits families, history lovers, beach enthusiasts and active travellers with equal ease. The island’s flat topography makes cycling a genuine pleasure – hire bikes are available throughout the main resorts and a network of paths connects the key sights and beaches. The lively resort of Kardamena caters to younger British holidaymakers, while the family-friendly bays around Tigaki and Kefalos offer calmer alternatives. Kos Town itself is a destination worth exploring beyond the beach.
Kos Town is one of the most attractive and interesting harbour towns in the Dodecanese, combining layers of ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Crusader and Ottoman history with a lively modern waterfront of cafes, restaurants and bars. The medieval castle of the Knights of St John – the Knights’ Castle – dominates the entrance to the harbour, its massive walls reflected in the water below. The castle is open to visitors and offers excellent views from its battlements.
Just outside the castle walls stands the famous plane tree under which Hippocrates – the father of modern medicine, born on Kos around 460 BC – is said to have taught his students. While this particular tree is around 500 years old rather than 2,500 (Hippocrates’ own tree would long since have died), the tradition of gathering here to learn medicine has been maintained. The Asklepion, the ancient healing sanctuary and medical school, sits on a hillside outside town and is one of the most important Hippocratic sites in the world.
Kardamena on the south coast is Kos’s largest and liveliest resort, long popular with British package holiday-makers seeking a vibrant beach atmosphere. The main beach is long and sandy with excellent facilities, while the resort itself has a busy strip of bars, clubs, restaurants and shops that caters well to younger travellers and families alike. The harbour at Kardamena is busy with fishing boats and water taxis.
Day trips to Nisyros volcanic island depart regularly from Kardamena’s harbour – the short crossing gives access to one of Greece’s most extraordinary natural sites: an active volcano with a massive caldera that visitors can walk into. The experience of descending into the caldera and watching the sulphurous vents steam is genuinely unforgettable and completely unlike any other Greek island excursion. Nisyros village itself is charming, with excellent fish tavernas and a relaxed pace of life.
Tigaki, on the north coast of Kos roughly 12 km west of Kos Town, is one of the island’s most beloved beaches. A long, wide stretch of fine pale sand runs parallel to a shallow, calm sea that is ideal for young children and non-swimmers. The beach is backed by a nature reserve – a salt lake that attracts flamingos in autumn and winter – adding a wildlife dimension to the beach experience. Facilities are good, with sun loungers, tavernas and water sports available.
Marmari, just west of Tigaki, is equally attractive and tends to be slightly less crowded. Both beaches benefit from the reliable north Aegean breeze that makes the intense summer heat manageable. The coastal road between Kos Town and these beaches is flat and well-suited to cycling – the ride from Kos Town to Tigaki takes around 40 minutes on a bike, passing through fields and orchards along the way.
The southern peninsula of Kos, centred on the village of Kefalos, is the island’s quietest and most scenically dramatic area. The peninsula culminates in a series of beautiful bays with crystal-clear water, dominated by the rocky islet of Kastri with its tiny white chapel – one of Kos’s most photographed scenes. The beaches at Paradise, Bubble Beach and Kamari are among the finest on the island.
Kefalos village sits high on a hill overlooking the bay, with traditional tavernas, a working windmill and panoramic views. The area has a much more authentically Greek character than the main resorts and is popular with those seeking a quieter holiday experience. Agios Stefanos beach just below Kefalos has impressive ruins of an early Christian basilica right on the waterfront – a unique combination of archaeological interest and excellent swimming.
One of Kos’s most popular and genuinely exciting excursions is the day trip across to Bodrum on the Turkish coast, just a 45-minute ferry ride away. Bodrum is a lively Turkish resort city with a spectacular medieval castle, a vibrant bazaar selling textiles, spices, leather and ceramics, excellent seafood restaurants and a very different cultural atmosphere to Greece. The contrast makes for a fascinating and memorable day out.
Ferries between Kos and Bodrum operate daily in summer from the harbour in Kos Town. Visitors need to carry their passport for the border crossing. The Bodrum Castle – built by the Knights of St John, the same crusading order who built Kos Town’s castle – houses the excellent Museum of Underwater Archaeology, one of the finest of its kind in the world. Day trip excursions with guides are also available from most Kos resorts.
Kos is one of the few Greek islands where cycling is genuinely practical as a way to get around. The island’s flat terrain, relatively short distances and network of cycle paths make two wheels an excellent option for exploring independently. Bike hire is widely available in Kos Town, Kardamena, Tigaki and Mastichari. The cycle path from Kos Town westward along the coast to the resort areas is well maintained and scenic.
For those interested in ancient history, the Asklepion – a vast ancient sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius the god of healing – sits on a pine-forested hillside 4 km outside Kos Town. In antiquity it was one of the most important healing centres in the ancient world and is exceptionally well preserved, with three terraced levels of temples, colonnades and treatment facilities. The views from the upper terrace over Kos Town and across to the Turkish coast are superb.
Kos International Airport Hippocrates (KGS) receives direct charter and scheduled flights from UK airports, with a flight time of approximately 4 hours from London. Direct flights operate from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and other UK regional airports during the summer season. The airport is 25 km from Kos Town.
Taxis, buses and pre-booked transfers provide onward connections from the airport to all main resorts. The bus service on Kos is good by Greek island standards, connecting the main resorts along the north coast. Car hire and bike hire are both available throughout the island. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected.
| Airport | Kos International Hippocrates (KGS) |
| Main resorts | Kos Town, Kardamena, Tigaki, Marmari, Mastichari, Kefalos |
| Highlight | The Tree and birthplace of Hippocrates; Nisyros volcano day trip |
| Best for | Families, history lovers, beach, cycling |
| Climate | Hot and sunny June-September, mild winters, reliable summer breeze |
| Flight time from London | Approximately 4 hours |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Language | Greek |
Search4Sun compares thousands of Kos holiday deals from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from local airports across the UK. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected.
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Kos is one of the best Greek islands for families. The long, shallow sandy beaches at Tigaki and Marmari are ideal for young children, with calm water and good facilities. The flat island terrain makes getting around easy, and cycle hire provides a fun family activity. Kardamena has a good mix of family hotels and facilities without being exclusively aimed at adult party-goers.
The Lido Water Park in Kos Town and the many watersports operators along the beach provide excellent entertainment for children of all ages. The history of Kos – from Hippocrates to the crusader castle – also makes for genuinely engaging sightseeing that older children and teenagers can appreciate.
Absolutely – the day trip to Bodrum is one of the most rewarding excursions available from any Greek island. The short 45-minute ferry crossing to Turkey delivers a completely different cultural experience: a busy bazaar, outstanding Turkish food, a magnificent crusader castle and a dramatic coastal setting. It is one of those excursions that guests remember long after their main holiday.
The trip is straightforward to arrange independently – ferries run daily from Kos harbour in summer – but guided excursion packages that include transfers, guiding and sometimes lunch are also widely available from hotel reps and local agents. Remember to bring your passport for the border crossing, and arrive at the harbour with time to clear Greek exit formalities before departure.
Tigaki is widely regarded as the finest beach on Kos – a long stretch of fine sand with shallow, calm water and good facilities that make it ideal for families and beach lovers of all ages. The nearby salt lake adds a nature interest dimension that sets it apart from a typical resort beach.
For more dramatic scenery, the beaches in the Kefalos area at the island’s southern tip are spectacular, particularly the view of Kastri islet from Agios Stefanos beach. Bubble Beach (also called Agios Theologos) near Kefalos has natural CO2 bubbles rising through the sand and sea floor – an unusual natural phenomenon that makes for a memorable swim.
Kos airport (KGS) is located at the southern end of the island, about 25 km from Kos Town and 3 km from Kardamena. This makes Kardamena the most convenient resort for transfers, while Kos Town and Tigaki require a longer transfer. Taxis, shuttle buses and pre-booked private transfers are all available from the airport.
Pre-booking your airport transfer through your tour operator or a local transfer company is recommended, particularly on late-night arrivals when taxis can be in short supply. The airport has several car hire desks, and collecting a hire car on arrival is a great way to start your Kos holiday with maximum flexibility from day one.
June and September are the best months for a Kos holiday. The sea is warm enough for comfortable swimming, and the island is noticeably quieter than during the July-August peak.
July and August are the hottest and busiest months, particularly around Kardamena and Kos Town, though the flat terrain and sea breeze keep cycling pleasant most days.
May and October offer a quieter, cooler alternative still well suited to sightseeing and the day trip to Bodrum. Most tourist facilities close between November and April.
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