Kos Holidays

Away from the sun, sea and sand, you can explore the atmospheric lanes of Kos Town’s historic Old Quarter, picnic with peacocks in lovely Peacock Valley, or visit the ancient Roman site of Asklepion and the birthplace of Hippocrates, father of medicine.

Kos Town has plenty of elegant and chilled-out restaurants and bars, many lining the seafront, where the mood slides from relaxed and balmy during the day to atmospheric and romantic at sunset, and there are lively clubs for those who prefer to dance into the night.

The island is easily explored by car, with hire services readily available, and one of the most popular destinations is Zia, a pretty mountain village about 20 minutes’ drive, on an often winding road, from the capital. Apart from the typical blue-and-white architecture and shops selling local honey and other produce, Zia has wonderful views, especially at sunset.

If you want to explore the Aegean beyond bathing on its shores, try a boat trip to lovely islands like Kalymnos, Plati or volcanic Nisyros, or even to Bodrum, on the Turkish coast.

Holidays in Kos are perfect for visitors dreaming of vibrant sandy beach resorts, where an enviable range of watersports awaits you. The resort facilities and sublime beaches also make this a popular venue for the perfect wedding or honeymoon. The island is also the ideal choice for those in search of a little piece of traditional Dodecanese life at a quieter pace, with lots of hidden coves and sleepy villages to explore amongst the stunning scenery. Then, you have the old town of Kos with its idyllic hilltop scenery, providing the perfect backdrop to make memories.

With up to 10 hours of glorious sunshine each day at the height of the summer, Kos basks in the wonderful climate of the Aegean Sea. Temperatures average in the mid-20s from June to September, with highs of up to 29 in July and August, and swimmers enjoying waters only a little cooler.

Airports/flights: We fly from numerous UK airports to Kos Airport. Flights take around 4 hours from Gatwick.

Bus: The Kos Town (DEAS) buses offer service within roughly 7km (4 miles) of the town centre, while the Kos island (KTEL) buses will get you nearly everywhere else.

Taxi: For a taxi, drop by or call the harbour taxi stand beneath the minaret and across from the castle.

Boat: As the transportation hub of the Dodecanese, Kos offers, weather permitting, a full menu of options: car ferries, passenger ferries, hydrofoils (Flying Dolphins), excursion boats, and caiques (converted fishing boats).

The beautiful island of Kos is home to a wealth of incredible beaches. Take a look at our Kos beach guide and see if you can tick-off them all during your next Greek Island holiday.