Kardamena Holidays

Once a chilled-out fishing village, Kardamena's now one of Kos' liveliest resorts – and it's got the perfect mix of gorgeous beaches, mental nightlife, and enough history to keep things interesting. Whether you're here for Bar Street carnage, lazy beach days, or boat trips to volcanic islands, Kardamena delivers. It's basically the Goldilocks of Greek resorts – not too quiet, not too mental, and the sunbeds are just the right size for a good holiday. 🎉

Destination Highlights

🏖️ Long sandy beach with crystal-clear water and full facilities
🎉 Bar Street – Kos' biggest nightlife scene outside the main town
🌋 Gateway to Nisyros volcanic island day trips
💦 Aquatica Water Park perfect for families
🍹 Mix of beach bars, traditional tavernas, and waterfront dining

🎉 3 Fun Facts About Kardamena

🏛️ Ancient Roots: Kardamena was once called Alasarna and was a major commercial centre in ancient times. You can still visit the ruins of the Temple of Apollo – considered Kos' oldest temple – right on the outskirts of town.

🌋 Volcano Neighbour: Kardamena's harbor is the main jumping-off point for boat trips to nearby Nisyros Island, which has an active volcano you can literally walk into. Proper end-of-the-world vibes. 🔥

🍺 Bar Street Madness: Kardamena's Bar Street has clubs that stay open until 4am during peak season (6am on weekends). That's commitment to the cause right there. 😂

🏖️ Best Beaches in Kardamena

Kardamena's got a gorgeous long stretch of mostly sandy coastline with crystal-clear water. Here's the lowdown:

Kardamena Main Beach 🌊

The star of the show – a long sandy beach right in town with full facilities (sunbeds, umbrellas, beach bars, tavernas). The water's crystal clear and usually calm, though it can deepen quickly in places so keep an eye on little ones. Loads of water sports available – jet skis, parasailing, banana boats, the works. Gets busy in peak season but there's enough space that you can usually find a spot. Beach bars serve everything from cocktails to gyros, so you don't need to leave for food. 🍹

Banana Beach 🍌

At the north end of Kardamena, this is where you go for a quieter vibe. Less organized than the main beach, more space to spread out, and the name's brilliant. Still sandy with clear water, just minus the crowds and louder music. Perfect if you want beach vibes without the beach bar chaos.

Paradise Beach 🏝️

A bit further along the coast, this one's got a beach bar and a more laid-back atmosphere. Some areas are rockier so bring water shoes if you're fussy about the seabed. Gorgeous spot for swimming and snorkeling, and the beach bar does decent snacks and drinks.

Nearby Beaches Worth Visiting 🚗

Camel Beach: Stunning secluded cove on the way to Kefalos with fine sand, rock formations, and brilliant snorkeling. Needs a car to get there but absolutely worth it.

Lagada Beach: More spacious than Kardamena's main beach, brilliant for swimming, and way less crowded. About 20 minutes away.

🏨 Top Hotels in Kardamena

Kardamena's got everything from budget apartments to five-star luxury. Here are some crackers:

Atlantica Mikri Poli Park 🌟 - Five-star modern hotel on the southern coast with multiple pools, stylish rooms and suites (some with sharing pools!), choice of restaurants, and loads of sports facilities. Proper luxury without being pretentious.

Atlantica Belvedere Resort & Spa - Adults Only 💑 - Stunning five-star adults-only spot perfect for couples. Beautiful outdoor pool, spa that'll leave you rejuvenated, three restaurants, two bars, and all the peace and quiet you need.

Island Resorts Valynakis Beach Hotel 🏖️ - Right on the beach overlooking the Aegean, with large outdoor pool, 24-hour reception, and walking distance to shops, tavernas, and restaurants. Proper Greek hospitality vibes.

Cleopatra Superior Hotel 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 - Part of the Cleopatra Group (three hotels within 80m of each other where you can use all facilities). Perfect location in the centre, great for families and couples, and brilliant value.

Grand Blue Beach Hotel 🌴 - Quiet location close to the beach, 2km from town centre. Mediterranean and international restaurants, spa, fitness centre, tennis courts. Ideal for a laid-back beach break.

🎒 Kardamena Travel Guide

Things to Do in Kardamena for Families 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Aquatica Water Park 💦 – One of two water parks on Kos, this one's just southwest of Kardamena with exhilarating slides, splash pools, and a dedicated kids' area. Day passes available and it's brilliant for keeping the kids entertained for hours.

Boat trip to Nisyros Island 🌋 – Take a boat from Kardamena harbor to see an actual active volcano you can walk into. The island's gorgeous, the volcano's mental, and kids love the adventure of it. Tours usually include time in traditional villages too.

Main beach activities 🏖️ – The beach has shallow areas perfect for paddling, loads of space for building sandcastles, and pedalos you can rent. Beach bars do kids' menus so you're sorted for food.

Things to Do in Kardamena for Couples 💑

Sunset dinner at the harbor 🌅 – The waterfront's lined with romantic tavernas serving fresh seafood, local wine, and those Greek island sunset views. Proper date night material.

Boat trip to secluded coves ⛵ – Charter a boat or join a tour to explore hidden beaches and coves around Kos. Swimming stops, snorkeling, and having the place to yourselves. Lovely stuff.

Visit Antimachia Village 🏘️ – About 10 minutes inland, this traditional village has bougainvillea-filled courtyards, authentic tavernas, and a proper Greek vibe away from the resort. Perfect for a chilled afternoon.

Things to Do in Kardamena for Groups 🥳

Bar Street carnage 🎉 – The legendary hub of Kardamena nightlife. Bars and clubs stay open until 4am (6am weekends), there's paint parties, foam parties, brilliant music, and the energy's absolutely bouncing. This is what Kardamena's famous for.

Beach bar hopping 🍹 – Start with cocktails at the beach bars, work your way along the waterfront, then hit Bar Street when things really kick off. Classic Kardamena day-to-night progression.

Boat party to Nisyros 🚤 – Some boat trips to the volcano island include drinks, music, and swimming stops. Perfect group day out that's half adventure, half party.

Things to Do in Kardamena for Adventure Seekers 🏄

Water sports galore 🏄 – The main beach has jet skis, parasailing, banana boats, windsurfing, and more. Adrenaline sorted.

Scuba diving & snorkeling 🤿 – Local diving centres offer courses and excursions to explore Kos' underwater world. Clear water, loads of marine life, and some interesting dive sites.

Mountain biking 🚵 – The dirt tracks and canyons around Kardamena are brilliant for mountain biking. Rent bikes in town and explore the rugged terrain.

🌍 Day Trips from Kardamena

Nisyros Island 🌋 – The big one. Boat trips take you to this volcanic island where you can walk into an active crater and see steam vents up close. The villages (Mandraki and Nikia) are gorgeous too. Full day trip, absolutely worth it.

Kos Town 🏛️ – 30km away (30-minute drive), the island capital's packed with ancient ruins, Kos Castle, the Tree of Hippocrates, museums, and loads of shops and restaurants. Proper history and culture fix.

Bodrum, Turkey 🇹🇷 – Boat trips from Kos let you visit Turkey for the day – explore Bodrum's castle, markets, and waterfront. Two countries in one holiday, sorted. Need your passport though!

Asklepion 🏥 – Ancient Greek sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, god of healing. One of Kos' most important archaeological sites with incredible views. Short trip from Kardamena.

Three Islands Cruise 🏝️ – Full-day boat trips visiting Kalymnos, Plati, and Pserimos islands. Swimming, snorkeling, relaxing on beaches, and lunch included. Brilliant way to see more of the Dodecanese.

📅 When to Visit Kardamena

Peak Season: July & August ☀️ – Hottest weather (28-32°C), everything's open and buzzing, Bar Street's at full capacity every night. It's the full Kardamena experience with guaranteed sunshine, but the prices are reflective of that. Perfect if you want the full nightlife and guaranteed beach weather.

Sweet Spot: June & September 🌸 – Gorgeous weather (24-28°C), sea's still lovely and warm, everything's open, but it's less manic and better value. Early June and September are brilliant – proper summer vibes without peak-season crowds.

Shoulder Season: May & October 🌤️ – Still warm (20-25°C), great for beaches and exploring, and brilliant value. Some nightlife venues operate reduced hours, but there's still plenty going on. May's lovely as the island's green and blooming.

Off-Season: November-April ❄️ – Most hotels, restaurants, and bars close. It's mild (12-18°C) but not beach weather, and Kardamena's nightlife shuts down completely. Only visit if you want a quiet Greek island escape and don't care about resort facilities.