Kos holidays

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 fun beach bars, and there’s a very lively atmosphere all around. 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, so you can wakeboard, banana-boat, or hop in a pedalo.

Over on the east coast, Agios Fokas Beach boasts dark grey, almost black volcanic sands which create a different kind of scenery. The waters here are known for their clarity, 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, there’s plenty of natural shade.

For peaceful sunbathing, there’s perhaps nowhere better than the north coast’s Marmari Beach. There are plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas here, and some natural shade under the shadows of the trees. The beach is lined with cosy beach bars with facilities for sunbathers, so you can stay here all day. While laying back under the sun, you’ll enjoy fantastic views of Pserimos Island, which is three kilometres away.

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. All sorts of Greek heroes 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.

Local produce is an excellent choice for high-quality yet affordable souvenirs from your holiday. Glyko tomataki, which is a type of sweet tomato jam, is popular, along with thyme-infused Koan honey, Koan 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.

In Kos’ Old Town, there are many 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 selling high-end cosmetics and beauty products from major international brands like Prada, Michael Kors, and Ralph Lauren.

Away from the island’s capital and the larger beach resorts, Kos is actually a very quiet holiday destination when it comes to nightlife. In places such as 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 Koan 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 dance floor.

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 18-30 hotspot, popular with young Irish travellers and Brits. Club reps can help you find the best places to drink and dance.

Although Kos is part of the Greek Islands, you’ll find that it has a very different gastronomic identity to others 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.

One of the most comforting and delicious of local dishes is pitaridia. This is a type of homemade pasta that’s sliced into long strands, a little like Italian lasagne. But it’s eaten very differently. Pitaridia strands are gently boiled in meat stock to infuse a rich flavour, then topped with butter and grated cheese.

If you love cheese, you should definitely sample one of Kos’ most famous foods. Posa is a type of goat 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 this at restaurants and markets, and it’s also used to make cheese pies.

For something a little different, be sure to order glyko tomataki, the ‘tomato spoon sweet’ for dessert. This preserve is a bit like a syrupy pie filling or fruit sauce, except it’s made with tomatoes. Pomodori tomatoes are cooked with sugar, almonds, and vanilla. The finished sauce is often served with yoghurt, or drizzled over ice cream.

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.