10 must-see things to do in Kos, Greece

Kos, the island of Hippocrates, is a Greek island belonging to the Dodecanese archipelago off the Turkish coast. It’s a very touristy island in summer. It attracts almost as many tourists as Rhodes. The island is nonetheless very beautiful. And culturally interesting. So, the 10 must-see things to do in Kos

If you have the chance, go off-season to discover its sublime beaches and lush valleys.

We went to Kos during a rather special period, in the summer of 2020. It was our first post-coronavirus trip and there were hardly any tourists in Greece at the time. It’s an island we really liked. So here we share our top 10 things to see and do in Kos. The must-sees and our favorites.

And if you want to know where to stay in Kos, we’ve made a selection of hotels on Booking and rentals on Airbnb in our Where to sleep in Kos article.

And all the practical information you need to prepare your Vacations on the island of Kos: How to get there? When? For how long?

1- Relax on Kos’s beautiful beaches

If you’re wondering what to do in Kos, you should definitely start with the beaches. The island is renowned for boasting some of the most beautiful beaches in the Dodecanese.

Black sand, pebble or fine sand beaches, lively beaches with beach bars and water sports or wild coves…. there’s something for everyone!

If you don’t have a car, you’ll probably want to swim on the beaches of Kos-ville, which are within walking distance of the port. Alternatively, you could opt for the beautiful beaches of Kefalos Bay. And at the southern tip of the island, our favorite: Agios Theologos beach.

We take a look at our favorite places to spread your towel in our article Kos’ most beautiful beaches.

2- Discover Kos town

Strolling around Kos – also known as Chora – is very pleasant. As you wander around, you’ll discover ancient ruins scattered all over the town, bringing to life the island’s glorious past. Ancient remains can be found on almost every street corner… or almost.

We recommend you start at the marina and stroll along the harbor up to the Château des Chevaliers (closed indefinitely following the 2017 earthquake). Then head deeper into town to the pretty Place Platanou, where you can admire the Hippocrates plane tree. Legend has it that the famous doctor planted the tree himself and passed on his knowledge to his pupils under its shade. In fact, the plane tree we see today is “only” 600 years old, and would have been planted in the same spot as the original tree.

Just off Platanou square, admire the agora and stroll through the ruins of the ancient city. The site is free of charge. Then move on to Eleftherias Square, where you’ll find a covered market selling local produce at low prices, as well as the Archaeological Museum. The latter is small but interesting. It features a statue of Hippocrates.

Finally, head for the western excavation site, south of the port (500m away), on the Rue Grigoriou side, where you can admire numerous remains dating back to Antiquity. Walk up the pretty cobbled ancient road and don’t miss the Roman house. It is well preserved and gives a good idea of everyday life in Roman times.

3- What to do in Kos Admire the sunset at Zia, of course!

Among the things to do in Kos, a visit to the village of Zia is a must. This charming little mountain village is surrounded by green fir and cypress trees. Go at the end of the day, as the sunsets over the sea are spectacular!

Unfortunately, Zia is on the organized tour program and at certain times it’s very crowded. The main street is lined with tourist stores of varying taste. Nevertheless, head a little further up the village’s cobbled streets to find some peace and quiet. The view is magnificent.

The best place to watch the sunset is certainly the large bend at the entrance to the village.

For a sunset dinner, take a seat on the terrace of the Oromedon restaurant, one of the best on the island. Not only is the food good, but the views are magnificent.

4- Visit the Asklepion

Located 5km from Kos town, this sanctuary dedicated to Asklepios (God of medicine) is one of the must-see things to do in Kos. Indeed, this archaeological site, built amidst pine, eucalyptus and cypress trees, is truly magnificent.

The Asklépiéion in Kos was not only a place of worship, but also a medical school and therapeutic center. It was renowned throughout the ancient world, and people came from far and wide for treatment.

Today, the remains can be admired on three terraced levels, giving an idea of the site’s former importance. The Asklepiezion also offers superb views over Kos town and as far as neighboring Turkey.

5- Savour the local gastronomy

Kos is located just twenty kilometers off the Turkish coast. The island is therefore at the crossroads of East and West. These influences can be seen in the architecture, the culture and, of course, the local gastronomy.

The right address? Ali. A restaurant that doesn’t pay much attention to its decor, but serves succulent Turkish specialties. We recommend the “village kebab”, mantis ravioli and papoutsakia. The yiaourtlou, a house specialty, is also very good.

Another address we liked, 3km from Kos town, was Arap, a restaurant run by a Turkish family. It’s good and cheap (around 12€/pers). An address frequented by a local Greek clientele, that’s not misleading.

Finally, if you’re craving Greek sandwiches and souvlaki, choose Lambros in the main town. Nothing special about the setting, but the meat is delicious. Their specialty is souvlaki, which they make with a specific bread and minced meat… but all the other à la carte options are also excellent and the service is super fast.

6- Discover the island by bike

The island of Kos has an excellent network of cycle paths… which is still rare enough on the Greek islands to be worth mentioning.

We really recommend exploring Kos by bike, from the northeast side to the Asklepion site, via a ride along the marina.

7- Hiking on Mount Dikeos

The highest point on the island,Mount Dikeos rises to an altitude of almost 850 metres. The hiking trail starts from the village of Zia. And the round trip takes around 2h-2h30.

What’s more,the scenery is magnificent. Legend has it that an 80-year-old woman comes up with two buckets of paint every year to refresh the church.

Scattered across the green slopes of Mount Dikeos are a number of somewhat abandoned mountain villages. What a contrast to the tourist hustle and bustle of other parts of the island!

This hike is one of the things to do in Kos for those seeking peace and authenticity.

8- Take a day trip on a boat

Several boat excursions are available to neighboring islands (Psérimos, Kalymnos, Léros, Patmos, Lipsi, Nisyros, Rhodes) or to Turkey (in this case, remember to bring your passport). An excursion to Bodrum even offers the chance to swim with dolphins.

The boats compete with each other to offer you a memorable day. However, we advise you to compare offers carefully before making your choice. Information and reservations can be made at the port or online.

GetYourGuide offers a good choice of boat excursions at affordable prices. In particular, we spotted this one-day cruise departing from Kos which takes you to three neighboring islands, for a very reasonable price (and what’s more, it’s cancelable and refundable up to the day before the visit).

9- Water sports and fun at the aquapark

Kos is a family-friendly island. There are many water sports activities along the beaches. Children and teenagers are never bored. Why not try scuba diving or snorkeling, windsurfing or kitesurfing lessons, or rent a jetski? For windsurfers, take a look at our article The best sailing spots in Greece.

There are also water parks to keep the kids happy. And especially the Lido Water Park. Located in Mastihari, 25 km from Kos town center, this park covers 75,000 m², making it one of the largest water parks in Greece.

And for those who prefer to see the sea from above, we’ve spotted this parasailing session departing from Psalidi beach.

10- Horseback riding in the mountains

Horseback riding is another way to discover Kos, which we tried out with our family and really liked. This allows you to pass through wilder landscapes, on dirt roads, and see the island differently. You can also go for a walk on the beach.

On a personal level, we called on the services of Kardamena Horse Riding Center. Alfa-Horse was also recommended to us.

*****

To get to Kos, you can book your ferry tickets on the Ferry Hopper website. This is the site we still use personally.

To find out more about Kos, read our other articles:

• Practical information on how to get to Kos, in what season, how long to stay, etc.
• Where to sleep in Kos? Our selection of hotels and Airbnb accommodations
• Kos’ most beautiful beaches

Finally, if you’re looking for accommodation in Kos ,take a look at Booking and/or Airbnb.

Laure M.