Kos Holidays

Holidays to Kos offer up a whopper of a shoreline, with 112 kilometres to play with. That said, it’s easy to explore all four coasts. And, from Dublin, you can fly direct to this Dodecanese island in four and a half hours.

The peaceful north coast

Peace and quiet reigns supreme on the north coast of Kos. Here, you’ll find a mix of luxurious beach retreats and laidback nightlife, all wrapped up in an easy-going atmosphere. The towns of Marmari and Tingaki are located here, with long stretches of sandy beach that are ideal for kicking back and relaxing. And, for when you’re in the mood for a livelier scene, the island’s buzzing capital, Kos Town is just a 20-minute taxi ride away.

The fun-loving south

Kos’s south coast is a big contrast to the quiet north. This is the island’s party hub, with lively towns, adrenaline-pumping watersports and great nightlife. Kardamena Beach is one of the most popular stretches of sand in all of Kos. But it’s not just about the parties. Stays on the south coast also mean easy access to the natural thermal hot springs and the historic ruins of Asklepieion.

Ancient sites in the east

The east coast of Kos is the place to go for natural scenery and ancient history. The coastline here is raw and rugged. Destinations like Agios Fokas boast volcanic black-sand beaches, plus clear waters for snorkelling. The island’s capital of Kos Town is located here, too. You can stroll around the walls surrounding the 15th-century castle and learn more about Greece under Roman rule.

The authentic west

The west is considered to be Kos’ most traditional coast, with classic harbours and old fishing ports. Hillside villages like Kefalos offer traditional Greek dining and authentic cuisine in cosy little tavernas. The west coast of the island is also a big hit with outdoors enthusiasts. Not only can you take in the great views of the 846-metre-tall Mount Dikeos from here, but you can also hike in the Katafigio Agrias Zois nature reserve.

At a glance

Get a bird’s-eye view of the island from Mount Dikeos
Step back in time at the ruins of Asklepieion
Relax on the white sands of Mylos Beach

Destinations in Kos

Top Destinations

The big beach

One of the biggest and most popular beaches in Kos is Kardamena Beach, on the island’s south coast. This sandy beach is lined with beach bars, and there’s a very lively atmosphere. There’s always something going on, whether it’s boats sailing out of the harbour, or jet-skis whizzing past. The Kardamena Watersports Centre is based here, too, so you can wakeboard, banana-boat, or hop in a pedalo.
Volcanic sands

For a change of scenery, head over to the east coast. Here, Agios Fokas Beach boasts dark grey, almost black, volcanic sands. The waters here are known for being really clear, so swimming and snorkelling are popular activities. This is a great beach for families as it’s a little quieter than Kardamena Beach. Thanks to the trees down to the left side of the beach, you’ll find plenty of natural shade, as well.
Peaceful sunbathing

For peaceful sunbathing, a great option is the north coast’s Marmari Beach. There are plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas here, and some natural shade thanks to the trees. The beach is lined with cosy beach bars with facilities for sunbathers, so you can stay here all day. And, there are fantastic views of Pserimos Island, which is three kilometres away.

Bargain Buys

The Agora Indoor Market in Kos Town is one of the best places on the island to pick up bargain souvenirs. It’s located in the Kos Market Hall, which is a massive Italian-style arched building. It's a major attraction in itself. Kids will love it here, too. All sorts of Greek hero outfits and action figures are on offer. You’ll also find little beachfront gift shops in practically every resort in Kos, selling T-shirts, magnets, and more.
Mid-Range Buys

Local produce is an excellent choice for high-quality yet affordable holiday souvenirs. Glyko tomataki, which is a type of sweet tomato jam, is popular. There’s also thyme-infused Koan honey, wines, olive oil and olive-oil-based cosmetics. The island of Kos played a big role in Homer’s epic Greek poem The Iliad, so you’ll find lots of items related to Greek mythology and legend, too.
Designer Buys

In Kos’ old town, there are lots of independent clothing boutiques and jewellery stores that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. These offer goods from a huge range of local designers. Right in the heart of town there’s also a Hondos Center. This is a Greek department store that sells high-end cosmetics and beauty products from major international brands like Prada, Michael Kors, and Ralph Lauren.

Laid-back evenings

In places like Marmari and Tingaki, the nightlife centres around a few laidback bars and traditional Greek tavernas. Hotel bars in the newer complexes are another option. There are also some handy local supermarkets for picking up local wines to enjoy in your room after a busy day seeing the sights. Many of the local bars here stay open until the early hours, and you’ll even find some have a small dancefloor.
Lively evenings

Kos Town is popular with travellers who want just as much entertainment in the evening as they do during the day. Bar Street is the town’s main hub of activity. You’ll find it between the port area and the archaeological ruins. While lively, Kos’ nightlife is still quite traditional. People of all ages come to enjoy a night out here. There’s a massive choice of everything from cosy cocktail bars to energetic nightclubs. On the south coast, things are a bit different. Kardamena is a true 18 to 30 hotspot, popular with young Irish travellers and Brits. Club reps can help you find the best places to drink and dance.

Unique cuisine

Although Kos is part of the Greek Islands, you’ll find that the cuisine here is a bit different to other islands in the Dodecanese chain. While it combines classic Greek tastes with Mediterranean and Aegean flavours, it also puts its own stamp on things. Kos produces many dishes which are exclusive to the island.
Pitaridia

One of the most comforting and delicious local dishes is pitaridia. This is a type of homemade pasta that’s sliced into long strands. It’s gently simmered in meat stock, which gives it a rich flavour, then topped with butter and grated cheese.
Posa cheese

If you love cheese, you should definitely sample one of Kos’ most famous foods. Posa is a type of goat’s cheese made exclusively on the island. It’s known for its vibrant red appearance, which it develops as it matures in red wine. You can find it at restaurants and markets, and it’s also used to make cheese pies.
Glyko tomataki

For something a little different, be sure to order glyko tomataki for dessert. This preserve, made with tomatoes, is a bit like a syrupy pie filling or fruit sauce. Pomodori tomatoes are cooked with sugar, almonds, and vanilla. The finished sauce is often served with yoghurt or drizzled over ice-cream.
Kos wines

There are two PGI-certified wineries on the island, with many of the vineyards located on the northern slopes of Mount Dikeos. Most grapes are grown at high altitudes for slower ripening. Dry, medium, and sweet varieties of reds, roses, and whites are produced here, including Chardonnay.

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Account & Booking

Kos Holidays

The peaceful north coast

The fun-loving south

Ancient sites in the east

The authentic west

At a glance

Destinations in Kos

Top Destinations

Top things to See and Do in Kos

The big beach

Volcanic sands

Peaceful sunbathing

Bargain Buys

Mid-Range Buys

Designer Buys

Laid-back evenings

Lively evenings

Unique cuisine

Pitaridia

Posa cheese

Glyko tomataki

Kos wines

SIMILAR DESTINATIONS

Our destinations in Kos

Helona Beach

Kardamena

Kos Town

Marmari

Psalidi

Tingaki

Mastichari

Kefalos

Lambi

Agios Fokas

Popular holidays

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