Dodecanese, Greece
Kos is the Dodecanese island where ancient medicine and an easy beach holiday share the same coastline: the birthplace of Hippocrates, with the terraced Asklepieion sanctuary above the sea, a Knights of St John castle on the harbour, a flat, bike-friendly main town and long sandy beaches down the north coast.
This guide covers the island properly, with 21 things to do including old town walks, the Asklepieion, sunset in the mountain village of Zia, off-road safaris, a hamam, tastings of local wine, oil and honey, and boat days to Pserimos and the nearby islands or across to the volcano on Nisyros. It pairs those with 10 hotels in Kos Town, Lambi, Psalidi, Mastichari and Kefalos, and six planning guides on where to stay, how to eat well, when to go and which day trips to choose.
Asklepieion of Kos and Hippocrates Heritage Tour
The hillside healing sanctuary where Hippocrates is said to have taught, with three terraces of temples and baths looking across the water to Turkey. Best seen with a guide who can explain the medicine.
Sunset in Zia Mountain Village
An evening trip up the slopes of Mount Dikeos to Zia, the island best-known village, for sunset views over the Aegean, craft shops and tavernas.
Nisyros Volcano Island Full-Day Tour
A full-day excursion to the volcanic island of Nisyros, with a walk around the crater floor, the whitewashed village of Mandraki and a long lunch by the sea.
Captain Morgan 3 Island Luxury Cruise with Swim Stops
A highly regarded full-day boat cruise to three islands with four swimming stops in clear water, a relaxed pace and plenty of time for sun and snorkelling.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
The hillside healing sanctuary where Hippocrates is said to have taught, with three terraces of temples and baths looking across the water to Turkey. Best seen with a guide who can explain the medicine.
A guided stroll through the compact centre of Kos Town, taking in the harbour, the castle walls, the Ancient Agora and the plane tree linked to Hippocrates.
A shared sightseeing tour that gives first-time visitors an overview of the island in a single outing, from Kos Town to the villages and viewpoints.
A guided circuit of Kos that builds a meal into the day, mixing ancient sites, mountain villages and a traditional Greek lunch.
A low-cost, self-paced puzzle walk through Kos Town that turns the main sights into clues and challenges, handy for families and independent travellers.
An evening trip up the slopes of Mount Dikeos to Zia, the island best-known village, for sunset views over the Aegean, craft shops and tavernas.
A full-day excursion to the volcanic island of Nisyros, with a walk around the crater floor, the whitewashed village of Mandraki and a long lunch by the sea.
A highly regarded full-day boat cruise to three islands with four swimming stops in clear water, a relaxed pace and plenty of time for sun and snorkelling.
A well-reviewed three-island cruise that adds an audio guide to the swimming and sunbathing, handy for travellers who like to know what they are looking at.
A lively pirate-themed boat day to three islands, with swimming, music and a family-friendly party atmosphere on deck.
A shorter glass-bottom boat excursion to the island of Pserimos, with underwater views, a beach stop and a relaxed pace for families.
A small-group catamaran day with a meal, drinks and swim stops, a quieter and more comfortable alternative to the big three-island cruises.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Kos Town waterfront
A four-class waterfront hotel in the middle of Kos Town, a few minutes on foot from the Tree of Hippocrates, the Ancient Agora, the port and the castle, with a pool and a sea-view restaurant.
Check rates →
$$Near the Port of Kos
A larger four-class hotel near the port with 186 rooms, a seasonal pool and children pool, tennis courts, a gym and all-inclusive rates available.
Check rates →Lambi, Kos Town
A four-class hotel with 85 air-conditioned rooms, a pool and children pool, free breakfast and Lambi Beach about three minutes on foot.
Check rates →Lambi Beach
An adults-only boutique hotel and spa right on Lambi Beach, rated very highly, with suites, a private beachfront and Mediterranean dining. It closes for the winter.
Check rates →Lambi, Nea Alikarnassos
A large all-inclusive resort at Lambi with direct beach access, free water park access, indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river and five restaurants.
Check rates →Lambi, Kos Town
A four-class resort-style hotel at Lambi with an outdoor pool, gym, playground and on-site restaurant, about three minutes from Lambi Beach.
Check rates →Psalidi
A large resort at Psalidi with 384 rooms and bungalows, several pools including a lazy river, the Elixir Thalasso Spa and four restaurants.
Check rates →Psalidi
A five-star all-inclusive beach hotel near Psalidi with 338 rooms, three outdoor pools, a waterslide, a private beach and four restaurants.
Check rates →Mastichari and Marmari, north-west coast
A very large all-inclusive resort on the north-west coast with 329 rooms, direct beach access, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a kids club and a winery. It is closed from late autumn to spring.
Check rates →Kefalos, south-west Kos
A small, simple two-class hotel in Kefalos with a seasonal pool, free continental breakfast and Kefalos Beach three minutes on foot. A quiet base for the far south-west.
Check rates →Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Asklepieion of Kos and Hippocrates Heritage TourStay
Kos Aktis Art HotelKos Town waterfront
Do
Sunset in Zia Mountain VillageStay
Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel and SpaLambi Beach
Do
Nisyros Volcano Island Full-Day TourStay
Grecotel LUX ME KosPsalidi
A first-timer guide to Kos, covering the island layout, getting around, the best sights, boat days and the practical details that make a week run smoothly.
A guide to choosing where to stay on Kos, comparing Kos Town, the Lambi coast, Psalidi, the north-west coast and the quiet south-west.
A three-day Kos itinerary that gives the town and the Asklepieion a day, the sea a day and the hill villages an evening.
A guide to the food of Kos, from harbour tavernas and village kitchens to honey, olive oil and wine, with tips on ordering, timing and tasting.
A seasonal guide to Kos covering spring, summer, autumn and winter, the meltemi wind, sea temperatures, crowds and which resorts and sights are open.
A guide to day trips from Kos, including the volcano on Nisyros, the three-island cruises, Pserimos, a ferry to Bodrum in Turkey and tips on choosing the right boat.
