Must See~£4
Castle of Neratzia
Kos Town
A medieval knights’ fortress guarding the harbour, with a moat and stone bridge.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers · Photographers
Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 8:30–15:30
Kos
A flat, sunny island of sandy beaches, cycle lanes and ancient ruins.
Plan your Kos trip
- Flight + Hotel PackageRecommended Best option if you want the trip arranged together. View Packages Packages
- Hotels Prefer to book accommodation separately? View Hotels Hotels
- Flights Already have accommodation? View Flights Flights
- Things To Do Tours, attractions and experiences. View Activities Activities
Overview
Why go to Kos
Kos is a relaxed family holiday island with long beaches, a flat landscape for cycling, and ancient sites including an old healing sanctuary. Boats link it to nearby volcanic and quieter islands.
- Where
- Dodecanese, Greece
- Recommended stay
- 5–8 nights
- Best time to go
- May–June and September–October for warm sea.
- Approx. daily budget
- £55–110 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.
What does Kos cost?
Full cost guide- Budget traveller£50–70a day
- Mid-range traveller£100–145a day
- Luxury traveller£200+a day
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
Things To Do
See all 9 Top picks in Kos
Must See~£8
Asklepion of Kos
Asklepion
The ruins of a healing sanctuary where Hippocrates taught, on terraces with sea views.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples · Culture lovers
Daily, roughly 8:30–15:30
FamilyFree
Kos Cycling Tour
Kos Town
Kos is very flat and well-supplied with cycle lanes, making a bike the best way to get around.
- Suggested time: 4 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Families
Open-air; hire shops open daily
BeachesFree
Tigaki Beach
Tigaki
A long sandy beach with shallow water, watersports and a salt-lake with flamingos behind.
- Suggested time: 4 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Families · Beach lovers
Open access; loungers for hire
Hidden Gems
See all 3 Beyond the checklist
FamilyFree
Kos Cycling Tour
Kos Town
Kos is very flat and well-supplied with cycle lanes, making a bike the best way to get around.
- Suggested time: 4 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Families
Open-air; hire shops open daily
Day Trips~£40
Nisyros Volcano Day Trip
Nisyros (boat)
A boat trip to a small island with a walk into a volcanic crater.
- Suggested time: Full day
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Everyone
Boats run daily in season
Hidden Gems~£6
Therma Hot Springs
Empros Thermes
A seaside hot spring pool warmed by volcanic activity, in a rocky cove.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples
Open daily; hours vary
Hotels
All 3 hotels Best-value hotels in Kos
Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.
Best ValueBest Mid-Range Hotel
Example listingKos Harbour Hotel
Kos Town, Kos
Excellent valueValue score 81 out of 100
Rated 8.6/10, about 9% below typical 4★ prices in Kos, in a central location.
From £85 per night · check current availability
Best Budget Choice
Example listingZia Hillside Inn
Zia, Kos
Very good valueValue score 76 out of 100
Rated 8.8/10, priced in line with similar 3★ hotels in Kos, in Zia.
From £60 per night · check current availability
Best for Families
Example listingTigaki Beach Resort
Tigaki, Kos
Very good valueValue score 69 out of 100
Rated 8.4/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Kos, right by the beach.
From £95 per night · check current availability
Food & Restaurants
Food guide Where to eat
-
Pitaroudia
-
Grilled fish
-
Halva and local honey
A suggested Kos itinerary
3 nights Couple
Kos · Highlights
Kos in 3 nights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Kos picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
- Day 1 · Asklepion of Kos, Kos Cycling Tour, Kos Bar Street
- Day 2 · Nisyros Volcano Day Trip, Castle of Neratzia
- Day 3 · Paradise Beach Kos
Plan Kos your way
Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you enjoy. We’ll build a first draft you can edit.