What To Do in Kos – 19 Best Things to do on the Island
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If it’s your first time visiting Kos then you’ve come to the right place as we share what to do in Kos and tips for visiting the island.
Kos is one of our favourite destinations to visit, it’s come to be somewhat of a second home to us. We could be a little bit biased because we got engaged in Kos but there is so much beauty on offer.
From awesome waterparks for families and adult children, incredible Greek nights, gorgeous sandy beaches and plenty of water activities.
Not just that but if you’re staying in Kos for a week or two, there are a few other Greek islands nearby for you to visit too. If you choose to visit some of the other islands, you may also get to see some dolphins.
We would recommend trying to visit Kalymnos if you are travelling to any of the other islands. It is an upcoming destination with plenty of things to do. It is a small island of paradise with beautiful golden beaches, cute little tavernas and plenty of quirky shops to purchase souvenirs.
If you’re planning a visit to Kos and looking to enjoy some lovely sunny weather then try to plan your vacation between June – September. Whilst you will find that this is a much busier time to visit the island, the weather will be beautiful and there will be much more things to do in Kos as everything is open for the peak seasons.
Where to Stay in Kos
When you’re visiting Kos, Greece, there are plenty of different places to choose from for accommodation. Where you choose to stay in Kos will depend on what your budget will allow for.
Below, we’ve listed a few different options for a range of budgets so that you can find the perfect place to stay in Kos for you.
There aren’t any hostels in Kos but there are plenty of cheaper options available if you are travelling on a low budget. Not everything has to be expensive for you to enjoy the best things to do on Kos Island.
Best Budget Hotel
Efthia Apartments
For anyone that is looking for budget options whilst they’re staying in Kos, Efthia Apartments is an excellent option.
Not too far from the main town, these apartments will have everything you need including cooking facilities. If you’re keeping to a strict budget then you will be able to cook at the apartments so that you don’t spend too much money eating out.
Best Luxury Hotel
Diamond Boutique Hotel
This is such a beautiful hotel in Kos with plenty of luxury for you to enjoy.
The modern vibe of this hotel is really something to admire and the pool just screams relaxation. If you’re looking for a couple weeks in the sunshine then this is the place that you should stay.
If you’re looking for something in between then there are plenty of options to choose from. For those that are renting a car, Kardamena is a great option but if you’re not renting a car then you will want to look at staying closer to Kos Old Town.
What to do in Kos
1. Greek Night
You can’t visiting a beautiful Greek island like Kos without having an experience of a proper good Greek night.
There are quite a few different spots to enjoy a Greek night and you may find that your own hotel has a Greek night at some point during the week.
If your hotel doesn’t have it’s own Greek night then don’t worry, we’ve got some great recommendations for you!
If you’re looking for something close to Kos town then it would be worth looking at visiting Zorba’s Greek Night. Zorbas is a restaurant in the Old Town and has the most delicious food. Once a week, they combine with the other restaurants in the square for one large Greek night filled with yummy food, plate smashing and Greek dancing.
Alternatively, if you’re on a budget then we have the perfect solution. In Psalidi, we frequently stay in Nicon Apartments and they put on an absolutely incredible Greek night.
It costs around 10 euros for the Greek night and this includes a pitcher of wine, a Greek buffet meal, a shot of Ouzo and lots of entertainment.
If you head to Nicon Apartments for their Greek night then make sure to let Costas or George know that Amy & Liam from Plain2Plane sent you! They’re really good friends of the family and are the loveliest people we know on the island.
2. Lido Waterpark
This is great fun for the whole family, no matter your age. We act like complete children 90% of the time so a waterpark is the perfect place for us to let that inner child out.
There are plenty of waterslides to keep you amused. One of the best parts about this waterpark is taking part in the tidal wave sessions. You will see lots of people running towards the main pool to enjoy the wave machine.
Be mindful that the floor is extremely hot when queuing for the slides so take some flip flops with you and leave them at the bottom of the stairs. We promise that you will thank us for this!
There are a few options available to you if you’re planning to go to Lido Waterpark. You can either rent a car and drive there yourself but we would suggest booking your entrance tickets in advance.
Alternatively, you can get this booked through a tour company which is definitely the easiest option especially if you have children. The tour company will be able to pick you up from your hotel or a recommended meeting point. You then can enjoy your day at the waterpark and the coach will pick you up and drop you off at a set time.
We highly recommend taking a visit to Lido Waterpark no matter your age. It’s also a great place to top up on your tan, relax on the lazy river and lounge around by the pool.
3. Tam Tam Beach
This is one of Kos’ best not so secret beaches. The beach itself is absolutely beautiful and as there are limited sunbeds, it’s rare that you will see it overcrowded.
There is a cute little shop just before you head down to the beach that sells trinkets and vintage type clothes and jewelry. You can also have some lunch in the Tam Tam restaurant and the food is gorgeous, you won’t be disappointed! We couldn’t recommend this enough.
It is also one of the most romantic spots in Kos because not too many people know about this beach. You’ll find that it is much more secluded and relaxing than some of the more touristy beaches in Kos.
If you’ve got some time then why not try some watersports whilst you’re here? There are plenty of different options but we’ve listed some of the best ones below.
4. Kitesurfing
One of the best things to do in Kos is to do a bit of kitesurfing. If you’ve never done this before then it is one of the most ultimate bucket list experiences.
There are plenty of different beaches that offer kitesurfing as an activity. This is something unique to try whilst you’re visiting a beautiful Greek island.
You can try this activity in lots of wonderful places but Kos is definitely one place to tick off this bucket list adventure!
5. Jet Skiing
If you’re looking to try more watersports then jetskiing in Kos is another wonderful activity to try!
There are a lot of places that now have stopped jetskiing but trying this in Greece is a great experience. Jumping across the waves in the Aegean Sea is one of the most amazing experiences within Greece.
Give this watersport a try whilst you’re enjoying a stunning break away!
6. 3 Island Cruise
It is one of the most advertised things on the island so it’s hard to miss doing this whilst you’re visiting. However, if there’s any part of you that is uncertain then we can assure you that you won’t regret going on this 3 island tour in Kos.
Depending on the day, you will be taken to around 2 islands where you can get off to explore. You will also stop at a small uninhabited island where you can jump into the water to snorkel and experience the local marine life.
We would highly recommend taking a trip on the 3-island day tours for a unique experience from Kos. Not only will you have the chance to see dolphins on the waters but you’ll get to experience the culture and atmosphere of different smaller islands near Kos.
Most of the 3-island boat trips from Kos will also include a buffet lunch of traditional Greek food and some snacks. If you’re heading out on one of the boat trips then make sure that you keep yourself well-hydrated as you’ll be out in the sun a lot.
When visiting the other islands, we in particular really enjoy Kalymnos. This is an upcoming location for tourists now as well with beautiful street art, small tavernas and stunning sandy beaches.
BEST GREEK ISLAND TOURS FROM KOS
- Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands with Optional Pickup
- Full-Day Tour to Nisyros The Volcano Island
- Full Day 3-Island Boat Cruise from Port of Kos
7. Plaka Forest
This might be a surprising addition but if you’ve rented a car then this Is a great spot to visit. In Plaka Forest, you will find peacocks roaming around and will be able to get up close to see their beauty.
There is plenty of space for you to wander around and enjoy a bit of time in the nature of Kos. It is such a serene place to visit and you’ll find some lovely views on the island on the way to Plaka Forest.
There is also the Kitties of Kefalos charity situated up there so you can see the little cats and small kittens. If you have any spare change we know they would greatly appreciate it. They are usually there between 10:30am – 11:30am so keep an eye out for them!
It is a really lovely place to visit and experience a unique side of Kos island. It will also give you some beautiful views of the island too. Bring a picnic with you and enjoy a bite to eat in the most beautiful setting.
8. Something Special
If you’ve got a sweet tooth then visiting Something Special is the way to go!
This is an incredible sweet restaurant that serves plenty of sweet pastries treats to make anyone’s mouth water! From full size cases, Italian and Greek pastries to doughnuts, you will have plenty of choice!
This is one of our favourite spots to visit when we go to Kos. We often just stock up at the start of the week on plenty of sweet bakes to last us for the whole holiday in Kos.
In our opinion, this is one of the best hidden gems in Kos that most tourists don’t know about. There is a Something Special bakery near Kos Old Town but there’s an even better one a bit further out (we’ve popped on the map below) that is easily accessible if you’ve rented a car…
9. Mylotopi
This is definitely an incredible hidden gem in Kos and it is an absolutely beautiful area to visit. Located within Kefalos, this is certainly a unique area of Kos to explore.
If, like us, you have a blog or an Instagram that you like taking photos for then this is definitely the place to go.
To visit Mylotopi, we would recommend renting a car in advance as it is a little bit out of the way of other touristy attractions in Kos.
For anyone that is looking to see a bit more of an authentic side of Greece, Mylotopi will certainly give that to you. It is a small traditional village with it’s main attraction being a dated windmill.
There is something about Mylotopi that really draws you in. You can enjoy a nice cocktail and some food at the restaurant which affords beautiful views of the island. If you rent a car for the day then we highly recommend visiting this stunning village.
10. Lofaki Restaurant
We may be a little bit biased because this is where we got engaged but we feel that Lofaki is one of our favourite parts of the island.
Everything about this restaurant is incredible from the food to the spectacular views of Kos. Most people will be recommended to visit Xia but we find that Lofaki is less touristy, better value for money and would even go as far to say better views too.
If you want to read about our experience of Getting Engaged in Greece at Lofaki for tips on proposing abroad.
11. Xia
Whilst in our opinion Lofaki is one of the best viewpoints, if you’re visiting Kos, Greece for the first time then you need to take a trip to Xia to make your own mind up.
When you head to Xia, you will be on top of the mountain with a stunning backdrop view of the island. You will be taken aback by a view of the island.
Also, another reason why we enjoy visiting Xia is that there are plenty of unique shops and a little village at the top of Xia. There are a lot of little local shops available at the top of Xia that are really worth a visit!
Another thing that we like about visiting Xia is that there are a few different restaurants that you can try. If there is one particular restaurant in that you would like to try then we would recommend booking your table in advance as it can get quite busy at times.
12. Mount Dikaios
Sitting at 846 metres high, Mount Dikaios is the highest mountain within Kos and makes for a beautiful viewpoint of the island.
For anyone that enjoys hiking, beautiful views and exploring destinations in a unique way then heading to the top of Mount Dikaios is for you.
It is a fairly easy hike but we would recommend going early in the morning because the longer the day goes on, the hotter it gets. Make sure to take with you plenty of water so that you don’t get dehydrated with the heat.
This is a great activity for couples to enjoy together and if you’re feeling up for it then you may want to take a picnic with you. Sitting on top of Mount Dikaios with a picnic is one of the most romantic spots in Kos in our opinion. It is easily the best place in Kos for couples to enjoy together.
13. Eleftherias Square
One of the main spots within Kos town is Eleftherias Square. This is the most amazing square within Kos Town and you will also find that there are sometime music concerts held here too!
Within Eleftherias Square, you will also find a really awesome little market where you can shop for souvenirs, spices, body products and much more.
At times during the summer, you will be able to sit out on the square and enjoy a music concert. This is a really unique thing to do in Kos and has such an awesome vibe where locals and tourists will meet and dance the night away.
14. Orfeas Open Air Cinema
Another romantic spot to visit in Kos is the outdoor cinema. If you don’t drink or you’re not sure what to do with your evenings then the outdoor cinema in Kos is a great choice.
There are different movies available throughout the week at different times. If you’re on vacation in Kos as a family then this will certainly keep both the adults and the kids occupied for a really fun night out.
The films are in English with Greek subtitles so you also won’t need to worry about not understanding the movie. We find that the bar at the cinema is very reasonably priced too so you won’t be ripped off if you want to get a few drinks and snacks.
Tickets for Orfeas Open Air Cinema costs approximately 7 euros for an adult and 5 euros for children so we feel that this is really reasonable for the cinema. You can purchase tickets at the box office once you’ve arrived in Kos.
15. Thermal Springs
If you’re wanting to take some time to relax then Thermal Springs is definitely the place to go. We would say that during the day, it can get pretty busy with tourists so we have known people to visit early in the morning instead.
The Thermal Springs are located in Agios Folkas and you can enjoy the warmth of the Springs. In the rock pools, the water is usually approximately 45c but when the sea meets in the middle, you will find that the temperature is really pleasant.
You definitely don’t need to wonder what to do in Kos in this area because there are plenty of beautiful beaches to explore near the Thermal Springs. This is one of the best things to see and do in Kos for a unique experience.
This is great fun for any solo travellers or couples travelling together. It is a lovely activity in Kos for families too but this would greatly depend on how old your children are too.
16. Roman Odeon of Kos
If you want to learn more about Kos’ history then you need to visit the Roman Odeon of Kos. It was originally built by the Romans and ended up being found in the 20th century.
It won’t take you long to wander around the Roman Odeon but you may find that during the summer months that it can get a little bit busy.
The path to the Odeon is really beautiful as it is filled with Cypress trees and flowers during the summer. Bet you didn’t expect to see a Roman Amphitheatre whilst you are in Greece! If you were at this point deciding between Italy and Greece then here, you will find the best of both worlds.
17. Antimachia
For anyone that is renting a car, Antimachia is another beautiful Greek village to visit whilst you’re exploring Kos island.
This picturesque village is a beautiful get away from the hustle and bustle of Kos Town. It is well-known for the traditional windmills and they can be seen from every area of the village.
If you’re visiting Kos in June then you will want to try and visit Antimachia for their feast. You will find the Feast of the Apostles on the 30th June or alternatively, you can attend the Feast of Assumption on 15th August.
It really is a stunning village to visit and perfect for anyone that wants to visit a less touristy area of Kos Island.
18. Kos Old Town
No trip to Kos is complete without exploring Kos Old Town. There are plenty of things to do in Kos Old Town. With plenty of small markets, shops and activity in this bustling hub.
If you’re interested in the nightlife in Kos then you will find plenty of places to party the night away along bar street. We personally like visiting Charisma as there is always something fun going on there.
Another wonderful part of Kos’ Old Town is wandering around the waterfront and admiring all the wonderful boats. If you’re looking to find more information about the boat day trips from Kos then this is the best place to go.
You will be able to find boats that offer excursions from Kos to Bodrum, 3 island boat tours, dolphin watching, snorkelling and diving tours.
There are so many different restaurants to try whilst you’re in the Old Town. We would recommend avoiding restaurants that are on the main street leading up to the Old Town. The prices tend to be a lot more expensive and the quality of food is not as good.
If you’re looking for some lovely restaurants to try in Kos Old Town then we can highly recommend Zorbas and Koako. If you’re heading just outside of Kos Old Town then we also advise going to Broadway. It can get quite busy at Broadway so try to book a reservation to avoid missing out on an incredible meal.
BEST DAY TOURS FROM KOS
- Kos Local Tasting – Wine, Oil & Honey
- Independent Day Trip to Bodrum
- Sunset Safari in Kos
- Half Day Boat Diving Experience in Kos, Greece
- Private Greek Cooking Class in Kos with Lunch
19. Aquatica Water Park
Another great place for families in Kos is going to Aquatica Waterpark. We would recommend that this waterpark is better for older kids as they are quite large waterslides.
There are not a large amount of waterslides but they are really good laugh for big kids. It is one of the best fun things to do in Kos. You could spend a few hours to a full day here if you would like.
It is one of the top 10 things to do in Kos Greece and plenty of fun for the whole family!
Before You Go…
Kos is a stunning island in Greece with plenty of things to do no matter who you’re travelling with and what budget you have.
If you are on a budget then you will find that there are lots of free things to do in Kos too so that you can keep your costs low. No matter what happens, we would recommend visiting Lofaki for one of the best views in Kos. You certainly won’t regret it!
Amy has been visiting the island for approximately 14 years now and it has truly become her second home. When we got engaged in Greece, Amy introduced this wonderful island to Liam and it’s now become an even more special place for the both of them.
Comment below one of your favourite spots on the island…
