Kos Holidays 2021 / 2022

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Sandwiched between Kalymnos and Nisyros, Kos is one of the larger Dodecanese Islands and has firmly established itself as a favourite with both families and couples. It boasts some of the best beaches in the Aegean, complete with caramel-coloured sands that shelve gently into the navy-blue waters. 300 days of sunshine and cloudless skies make holidays to Kos a superb choice at virtually any time of year.

However, if basking on a sun-bleached beach isn’t your thing or you’re travelling with children, you’ll find plenty of attractions and things to see and do. Couples looking to enjoy some quality downtime together will find the island offers a vibrant nightlife scene. With excellent shopping and some superb, authentic restaurants to enjoy, Kos Greece has all the ingredients for the perfect holiday.

Things to do

Get into the Kos way of life and explore its dazzling golden coastline, with gorgeous beaches to chill out on and a top choice of water sports on hand for when you’re feeling energetic. If you feel like taking an excursion, kids love the local Lido Water Park with its water slides and huge pools. Kos is one of the best Greek islands for sailing, with yachting enthusiasts flocking to sail around the island. In the evenings, you can pick the pace of your nightlife. The quieter resorts have plenty of restaurants and waterfront bars to relax in, or you could turn it up a notch in one of the island’s clubbing capitals.

Amazing beaches

Kos has some fantastic beaches to lay back and soak up the warm Greek sun on. If you want plenty of things to do in the form of water sports, music, bars and cafés close by, then head to Kardamena beach for non-stop entertainment. The beautiful Tingaki Beach offers a much more laid back vibe, which is perfect for chilling out on. This is particularly popular with couples and families looking for a more peaceful spot in the sun. Paradise Beach on the island’s south coast offers exactly what it says on the tin. The crystal clear waters make it perfect for snorkelling and you can also experience the amazing thermal bubbles that rise from the sea bed, warming the water around you.

Perfect for families

The island of Kos is the ideal choice when chosing a destination that the whole family will enjoy. There are cultural experiences to be had around every corner and the excellent choice of beaches makes for great, lazy days spending quality time together by the sea. You can spend the day making a splash at the amazing Lido Water Park or, for something really different, why not take a day trip to the resort of Bodrum in Turkey, which is just a short boat ride away.

Great nightlife

Kos has gained a great reputation for those looking for a holiday where partying is the main priority. The resort of Kardamena offers the best nightlife on the island and some of the best in the whole of Greece too. Spend your days topping up your tan on the beach before dancing the night away in the many bars and clubs that line the famous ‘Bar Street’.

Map of Kos Town

The main town on the island of Kos is Kos Town although there are several other popular with visitors. Wherever you stay on the island, visiting Kos Town is a great day trip where you can soak up the culture, walk the beautiful winding streets and see what traditional Greek life is like.

Centred around the historic port, looking at any map of Kos Town will show you just how many ancient archaeological sites there are. With Neratzia Castle, the ancient Greek Agora (meeting place), ancient baths and a stadium, visiting Kos Town is the perfect blend between a modern holiday destination and the incredible history of Ancient Greece.

Places to stay

On Kos’ sun-drenched northern coast are the laid-back beach resorts of Lambi and Tingaki. Lambi is within walking distance of the cosmopolitan island capital, Kos Town. A peaceful place for families and anyone wanting to get away from it all, you can still experience the capital’s attractions anytime you like. A 20 minute bus ride from the capital is Tingaki, a resort famous for its gleaming white-sand beach. Down on the south coast, Kardamena is the best choice for spending long days on the beach and long nights with your mates. Clubbing, karaoke or beach parties – you name it.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations including: Kardamena | Kefalos

10°C to 26°C

Kos enjoys typically Mediterranean weather, with long, hot summers and mild winters. The coldest months are between December and February when temperatures tend to hover in the low teens.

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Flights to the island land at Kos International Airport, which is about half an hour’s drive from the town centre.

Weather and climate in Kos

Temperature: Average of 30°C in July and August.

Best time to visit: Come for the hottest sunshine between June and September.

Sitting in the Aegean Sea, this beautiful island enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters. August is the warmest month, with temperatures peaking in the high 20s and rarely dipping below 21°C. You can expect around 14 hours of sunshine a day and only three rainy days during the whole month. If you’d prefer fewer crowds and cooler temperatures for sightseeing, October and November see the temperatures hovering between the high teens and the low 20s. From December to February you’ll catch the occasional shower, with temperatures averaging at around 10°C.

Kos is best for...

Clubbers: Kardamena is the place to go for those who want to kick their heels up by night and sleep it off by day. For the best watering holes, head to the appropriately-named ‘Bar Street’, where you’ll find a seemingly endless array of themed bars and kicking clubs. The vibe is a very friendly one, with older partygoers made to feel as welcome as the younger crowd that come for the drinks, music and fun.

Couples: Kos Town is quieter than you might expect at night, and offers plenty of scope for couples to enjoy a quiet meal or watch the sun slip over the horizon, with a cocktail in hand. By day, the town is an atmospheric labyrinth of whitewashed streets, where you’ll find quaint and quirky shops and see some fine examples of ancient architecture. Eleftherias Square bustles with locals, enjoying al fresco coffees and lunchtime wine.

Families: For young historians and mini myth-hunters, Kos is a treasure trove. Explore the Asklepion, one of the oldest hospitals on the planet, visit the Archaeological Museum, or step back in time at the Castle of the Knights. If you’ve got the kids with you and want some splashtastic fun in the sun, the island has two waterparks: Aquatica and Lido. If you’re travelling with younger children, Lido is the more appropriate of the two.

Fast facts for Kos

Language: The official language spoken on the island is Greek. While most of the locals speak good English, a well-placed “sas parakaloúme” and “efcharistó” will go a long way.

Currency: You’ll need to exchange your British Sterling for Euros, before zipping off on your holidays to Kos.

Local time: The island is two hours ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Kos International Airport. Transfers to Kefalos take 30 minutes, to Kardamena it's around 35 minutes, while to Psalidi it's roughly 45 minutes.

Flight time from the UK: The flight time to Kos takes about four hours.

Tourist Information: Further Kos tourist information can be found at https://www.kosinfo.gr/

Visa / Health: Before you travel, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday to Kos, Greece.

Holiday destinations related to Kos:

Kefalos

Kardamena

Psalidi

Getting around Kos

By bus: There are two important bus services to be aware of. The DEAS bus service is a great way to travel in and around Kos Town, while the KTEL buses will take you virtually anywhere on the island.

By bicycle: Unlike most of the other Dodecanese Islands, Kos is remarkably flat, making it perfect for cycling. You’ll find cycle-hire outlets in virtually every town, leaving you free to soak up the scenery from your saddle.

By taxi: Taxis are plentiful, reliable and cost-effective. Book online, by phone, or flag one down from the roadside in larger towns.

Events in Kos

Mastichari Wine Festival: Every year in early August, the little village of Mastichari, in the northwest of the island, holds a wine festival. A more traditional affair than wine buffs may be used to in the UK, the festival features strictly locally-made wine plus Greek dancing for entertainment.

Hippocratia Festival: The biggest event on the island, the Hippocratia Festival takes place throughout the summer, between July and September. The celebrations are held in honour of Hippocrates and showcase a variety of art exhibitions, performances and concerts, highlighting Greece’s long and fascinating history.