Kos Holidays

Kos, Greece is the third-largest Dodecanese island and one of the country's strongest all-rounders for a beach holiday. 112km of coastline, an active volcanic island day-trip, the partying side at Kardamena, the family beach scene at Tigaki and Marmari, and the laid-back wellness vibe at Psalidi, all on the same island.

Highlights - Holidays to Kos 2026 and 2027

• 112km of coastline, and the best beaches in Kos are spread right across it, from the party sand at Kardamena to the hidden coves near Kefalos

• Birthplace of Hippocrates, ancient ruins, medieval castles and the Asklepieion healing temple

• One of the best Greek islands for cycling, flat roads, coastal paths and bikes everywhere

• Day trip to Nisyros volcano, walk into an actual crater, then grab lunch in a whitewashed village

• Kardamena's legendary nightlife, the liveliest on Kos, plus laid-back sunset drinks in Zia and harbourside cocktails in Kos Town

🎉 Good to Know for your Kos Holidays 2026/2027

• ☀️ Weather: Kos weather runs warm and long. July and August peak around 31°C with the Meltemi wind taking the edge off, and Kos in October is still hitting 24°C with the sea at 23°C, which is why the shoulder is so popular here.

• 💰 Price of a Pint: Expect around €3.50 to €5 depending on where you are. Beach bars run pricier, but the views make up for it.

• 🤩 Fun Fact: Kos is the birthplace of Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine". You can visit the Plane Tree of Hippocrates in Kos Town, where he is said to have taught his students. The tree standing there now is about 500 years old, so it is more likely a descendant than the original.

Making the most of your holidays to Kos...

"The best thing we did was visit Old Pyli, an abandoned village, on the side of a hill, inland from the resorts. You need a car but it's free to get into. Goats wander through the ruins and there's a castle at the top. The lower village is an easy walk. The climb to the castle is basically a natural staircase of slippery rock and the path isn't marked, so wear proper shoes, not flip flops. An amazing experience, worth it for the view (and the chance to defend the castle from ghosts). Taverna Oria at the bottom does fantastic homemade lemonade and is cash only. Two more tips. Swim out to the little white chapel on the islet off Agios Stefanos, but buy water shoes first, the rocks are brutal. And unless you're lactose intolerant you have to get some krasotyri at the market in Kos Town, the local goat cheese, aged in red wine."

-Rob Brooks, OtB Holiday Expert

A holiday in Kos is perfect for you if...

• You want a Greek island holiday where you can cycle to the beach (on a flat road)

• You are after cheap holidays to Greece but you still want ancient ruins, a volcano and a Turkish bazaar within a day trip.

• You want the party option and the quiet option on the same island, so nobody in the group has to compromise.

• You reserve the right to walk into a live volcanic crater one day and do nothing at all the next.

• You want somewhere the season runs properly into October.

What are the best beaches to visit on your holidays to Kos?

Kos is all about the eternal sunshine, emerald waters, and your choice of non-stop activities or complete calm when you're chucking your towels down on the sand. When it comes to your Greece holidays, you don't wanna miss out on these beaches:

• Marmari Beach – the place for water sports and home to many private boats - that's if the white sands and clear blue waters aren't already enough to draw you in!

• Paradise Beach – one of the most popular beach spots, perfect for families with its golden sands and non-stop entertainment.

• Camel Beach – snorkelling fans will love the clear waters at this quiet, rocky cove

• Agios Stefanos Beach – a unique beach with golden sands and the scenic ruins of an ancient Christian Basilica.

• Kardamena Beach – if you’re looking for endless good times, this is the beach for you.

• Lami Beach – an idyllic, kilometre-long stretch of sand close to Kos Town.

• Tigaki Beach - the perfect pick for families and thrill seekers, you've got shallow waters for the littleuns to paddle in and top-tier wind conditions for all the wind-surfers out there.

🏨 Top Hotels in Kos - 2026 / 2027

Whether it's a family-friendly jolly in Tigaki, a couples escape in Psalidi or a party week with your mates in Kardamena, there is a hotel for everyone here.

Package holidays to Kos put the flight and the hotel in one booking, and the Kos Greece hotels below are the ones we would pick ourselves. See all hotels in Kos, or browse our top picks.

💑 Where should couples stay on a Kos holiday?

• KOIA All-Suite Wellbeing Resort is the adults-only wellness retreat with a private beach, floating breakfasts, local tastings and seriously zen vibes. All suites come with private sunbathing terraces, the romantic-getaway pick of the island.

• Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites is the five-star beachfront option with Aegean views, a swim-up bar and an adults-only White Lounge. Strong reviews and a guest favourite for the romantic weekend version.

• Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel + Spa - Adults Only is the boutique adults-only pick in Lambi, just north of Kos Town, a strongly-reviewed five-star with a spa and that intimate-luxury feel. One of the highest-rated couples hotels on the island.

✨ Which are the best luxury hotels in Kos?

• Ikos Aria in Kefalos is the headline luxury pick and the highest-rated hotel on Kos on our books, at 4.9 out of 5 from thousands of reviews. A lagoon-style swimming pool, a kids' football academy, a choice of restaurants and the famously generous Ikos all-inclusive.

• Diamond Deluxe is the Lambi five-star with strong recent reviews, polished design, beach access and a modern-luxury feel that is missing from most of the older Kardamena giants. Properly upmarket without being fussy.

• Mosay Kos All Suites is the Kos Town five-star alternative, all-suite layout with an on-site spa and a private beach club. A strong fit for couples or small groups wanting a city-edge base rather than a resort one.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Which hotels in Kos are best for all-inclusive family holidays?

• Canvas by Mitsis Family Village is the headline family pick in Kardamena, with a private beach, kids' clubs, splash pools, a beach pizzeria, a late-night family disco and ten bars and restaurants across the resort. It sits at the foot of Mount Dikeos.

• Michelangelo Resort and Spa is the strongly-reviewed five-star family option, with over 5,000 reviews, polished facilities, a beachfront location and a more refined family experience than the bigger Kardamena resorts.

• Mitsis Norida is another major Kardamena family resort, beachfront, with eight outdoor swimming pools, an open-air theatre with nightly shows and the full ultra all-inclusive treatment. A guest favourite at this scale of resort.

• White Olive Marine Aquapark in Tigaki has its own on-site aquapark with slides, a wave pool and an activity pool, so a waterpark day does not mean a separate trip. Greek, Italian and all-day poolside barbecue dining.

• Atlantica Thalassa Hotel has plenty of activities for the kids, a Mediterranean restaurant, a mini club and a disco, and an easy walk into Kos Town for the evening.

🎉 Where should groups stay in Kos?

• Mitsis Selection Blue Domes is the standout group ultra all-inclusive on the island, a five-star with nine swimming pools joined into one, a choice of restaurants, the Sapphire Spa and the highest review volume of any hotel on Kos. It splits beautifully across a ten-plus booking.

• Mitsis Summer Palace is the next-door alternative, ultra all-inclusive five-star with four restaurants, some rooms with private pools, and the Kardamena nightlife strip a short walk away.

• Sovereign Beach Hotel in Kardamena is the more affordable group option, with a kids' pool for anyone bringing children along, evening entertainment, sports facilities and the easiest access to Kardamena's beach club scene.

💰 Which are the best cheap hotels in Kos?

• Tigaki Beach Hotel is the Tigaki value pick, a spacious, comfortable property in beautiful gardens just 100m from the beach. A pool, a playground and easy access to the sand, without the all-inclusive price tag.

• Cleopatra Superior Hotel is the Kardamena value option, a three-star with strong reviews and the easiest access to the nightlife strip. Brilliant for groups wanting Kardamena buzz on a budget.

• Grecotel Casa Paradiso is a solid family option near Marmari, with a kids' pool, a playground, a Discovery Adventures club and a beachfront taverna. The GrecoBaby service sorts cots, highchairs and bottle-making gear for travelling families.

👉 All hotels in Kos

🏨 Where to stay on your Kos holidays?

Kos has got the goods for a perfect jolly, whatever the weather, and whoever you're jetting off with, kinda like the Taylor Swift of Greek Islands, everyone's kinda obsessed with her. We've got a few thoughts about where you should settle down, so keep on scrolling:

• Kardamena - this one’s the life of the party. Packed with bars, buzzing beach clubs, and nightlife that goes way past bedtime, it’s the place to be for group getaways and stag or hen dos. Don’t worry though – there’s a gorgeous beach and water sports galore for the day-after recovery.

• Kefalos - if peaceful vibes and postcard-worthy scenery are your thing, Kefalos is calling. With historic ruins, whitewashed buildings, and a long, sandy beach that’s more zen than Zante, it’s ideal for couples and travellers wanting the authentic Greek island feel.

• Kos Town - where ancient ruins meet modern vibes. The capital of the island is perfect for city lovers who still want beach time. Explore the castle, sip cocktails by the marina, and get lost in backstreets full of shops and tavernas. Great for culture seekers and night owls alike.

• Lambi - just a short stroll from Kos Town but with its own beachy identity, Lambi mixes laid-back charm with easy nightlife access. Great for families, couples, and anyone wanting a balance of chill and thrill.

• Marmari - peaceful and pretty, with soft sands and shallow swimmers. Ideal for family holidays or couples after a slower pace, but still with enough restaurants and cafés to keep you fed and watered. Plus, it’s got serious sunset game.

• Mastihari - a charming fishing village-turned-holiday haven. Expect golden beaches, seafood fresh off the boat, and easy ferry links to Kalymnos. Great for relaxing beach holidays or a base for island hopping.

• Psalidi - the wellness capital of Kos, home to spa hotels and beach bars made for sipping smoothies in the sun. If you’re chasing adult-only vibes, beachfront luxury and cycling paths along the coast, Psalidi’s the one.

• Tigaki - long, wide beaches, chilled tavernas, and super calm waters make this a family favourite. It’s also a hotspot for kite and windsurfing if you fancy mixing sunbathing with a bit of splashy fun.

Cheap holidays to Kos

Kos is already one of the more affordable Greek islands, and cheap holidays to Kos get cheaper still if you move a few weeks either side of the school holidays. May, June and September are the sweet spot: hotel prices drop noticeably, the beaches empty out, and September still has 27°C days and a sea at 24°C. October holds up too, and most of the beach businesses stay open through it.

All-inclusive usually works out cheaper here than paying as you go, particularly for families and bigger groups, there are lots of great options here, to name just one, the Mitsis resorts in Kardamena are always popular.

If you would rather eat out, when picking your spot, go one street back from the seafront: a souvlaki wrap or a gyros from a local grill house costs a fraction of the promenade price and is usually better. Stick to Mythos or Alpha rather than imported beer, and pick up bottles from a mini-market for the beach instead of the beach bar.

Getting around costs almost nothing if you plan it. KTEL buses run from the airport to all the main resorts and between them for a couple of euros, against a taxi fare several times that. Most hotels lend bikes for free and the island is flat enough that the coastal paths are a genuine alternative to paying for an excursion. Cheap Kos holidays for 2026 and 2027 are mostly a question of when you go rather than what you give up.

👉 All hotels in Kos

🗣️ Local Lingo

Greek is the official language and English is widely spoken across all the resort areas, hotel staff are fluent and most restaurant menus are bilingual. Step into a small village taverna or a Mastihari fish bar though and the Greek comes out, and locals warm noticeably to anyone who tries. A handful of phrases earns the smile.

• Kalimera, kah-lee-MEH-rah (Καλημέρα), Good morning

• Efharisto, ef-hah-ree-STOH (Ευχαριστώ), Thank you

• Parakalo, pah-rah-kah-LOH (Παρακαλώ), Please / You're welcome

• Yiamas, YAH-mas (Γειά μας), Cheers (the only word you'll need before noon at the harbour)

• To logariasmo, parakalo, toh loh-gar-yas-MOH pah-rah-kah-LOH (Το λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ), The bill, please

• Nero, neh-ROH (Νερό), Water

• Signomi, see-GHNO-mee (Συγγνώμη), Excuse me or sorry

🧳 Your Kos holidays 2026 and 2027 travel guide

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 What can families do on a Kos holiday?

Kos is packed with fun stuff for the whole family, so don’t worry about anyone saying "I’m bored" this holiday.

• Lido Water Park – a massive water wonderland in Mastihari with slides, lazy rivers, and splash zones for kids and grown-ups alike.

• Kos Natural Park – get up close to animals and nature in Zia village with walking trails, petting zoos and knockout views of the island.

• Tigaki Beach – super shallow waters and calm waves make it ideal for the little ones to paddle safely.

• Glass-bottom boat trips – sail the coastline and spot fishies without getting your hair wet – a win-win.

• Therma Beach – warm natural springs bubbling into the sea – like nature’s jacuzzi, and the kids will love it.

❤️ What is there to do in Kos for couples?

From romantic ruins to hidden beaches and sunset sips, Kos is serving all the couple goals.

• Zia Village – tucked in the hills, this is sunset central. Grab a wine, snap the view, and swoon at the scenery.

• Therma Beach – a quiet(ish) spa-like experience with natural hot springs – pack a towel and some wine for peak romance.

• Kos Old Town – cobbled streets, boutique shopping, and candlelit tavernas that are made for date night.

• Agios Stefanos Ruins – explore ancient temples right by the sea – then head for a swim after.

• Horse riding at sunset – gallop (or gently trot) along the coast with your other half. Ultimate honeymoon vibes.

🎉 What can groups do in Kos?

If your mates are looking for big laughs and big nights, Kos has group holiday written all over it.

• Bar-hopping in Kardamena – beach bars, clubs, shots with sparklers – need we say more?

• Beach volleyball at Lambi – pack a ball and some snacks, and make a day of it.

• Watersports in Psalidi – banana boats, jet skis, and inflatable rides that'll have you clinging on for dear life.

• Villa days in Tigaki or Marmari – chill out with your crew by the pool, BBQ in hand, cocktail on deck.

🥙 Where should foodies eat in Kos?

Whether you’re a meze master or just here for the gyros, Kos will keep your belly happy.

• Try moussaka with a local twist – many tavernas in Kos add courgette or eggplant straight from the garden.

• Order Psarás (grilled fish) by the sea – head to Mastihari or Kamari for the freshest catch.

• Don’t skip the meze plates – little bites, big flavour. Get your hands on dolmades, tzatziki, keftedes and saganaki.

• Visit a winery near Zia – sample local wines made from Muscat grapes and volcanic soil. Very boujee, very tasty.

• Grab a honey-drenched baklava – pair it with a Greek coffee and pretend you’re not planning your next meal already.

🗺️ What are the best day trips from Kos?

Kos is perfectly placed for island hopping and cross-border adventures — here's where to head when you fancy a change of scenery.

• 🌋 Nisyros — hop on a boat from Kardamena and you're on a volcanic island within the hour. Walk down into the Stefanos crater, wander the whitewashed streets of Mandraki, and grab lunch before heading back. One of the most unique day trips in Greece.

• 🇹🇷 Bodrum, Turkey — a short ferry from Kos Town gets you to this buzzing Turkish resort town. Browse the bazaar, explore the medieval Castle of St Peter, and haggle your way through the leather and spice stalls. Don't forget your passport.

• 🏝️ Kalymnos — the sponge-diving island is just a 20-minute ferry from Mastihari. Climb the rocks (it's a world-famous climbing destination), explore the harbour town, and pick up natural sponges as souvenirs.

• ⛪ Patmos — a longer day trip but worth it for the Monastery of St John and the Cave of the Apocalypse, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Organised boat trips run from Kos Town during summer.

• 🏖️ Three Island Cruise — several operators run day cruises taking in Kalymnos, Pserimos and Plati, with swimming stops, lunch onboard and plenty of Aegean blue. Great for groups and families.

Other Greece Holidays:

• Athens

• Corfu

• Crete

• Halkidiki

• Kefalonia

• Mykonos

• Peloponnese

• Preveza

• Rhodes

• Samos

• Santorini

• Skiathos

• Thessaloniki

• Zante