Kos Holidays

Kos is one of those islands that doesn't demand much from you. It's not dramatic like Santorini or lush like Corfu. But what it does offer is ease. The beaches are sandy and shallow (perfect for families), the roads are flat and bike-friendly, and the main town of Kos is easily walkable, with ruins tucked between modern shops and a castle guarding the harbour.  

Like most of the other Greek islands, May, June, and September are the right times for Irish holidaymakers - warm weather, manageable crowds, and a sea temperature that's just right.  

July and August are hot, busy, and more expensive. Book accommodation and car hire well in advance if you plan on travelling then. The island stays warm into October, with fewer tourists and lower prices, though the evenings are a bit cooler (nothing that a sweater won't fix).  

Getting around is straightforward. The island is flat, which even makes cycling a genuine option. Bike hire is cheap, and the coastal route from Kos Town to Tingaki is an easy ride.  

A hire car gives you more freedom to explore the west coast, the mountain villages like Zia and Pyli, and the quieter beaches. The roads are good, and distances are short - you can cross the entire island in under an hour. Taxis are available but not cheap; bus services cover the main routes but are limited on Sundays.  

Kos Town is the cultural centre - with good nightlife, shopping, restaurants, and easy access to the castle, the Roman Odeon, and the Asklepieion. Kardamena has the island's most famous nightlife strip, but it also has a family-friendly beach and a pleasant harbour. 

Tingaki and Marmari on the north coast are purpose-built family resorts, with sandy beaches and shallow waters. Kefalos, in the west, is quieter and more traditional, with spectacular views and a laid-back vibe.  

Kos is good value compared to many of the other more popular Greek islands. Eating out certainly won't break the bank, a souvlaki is a few Euros, a sit-down meal with wine is €15–€20 per person. The local wines are young and fresh, and the house white in most establishments is reliably drinkable. Supermarkets are well-stocked for picnics and bottled water, and the bakeries sell excellent bread and pastries.  

The island is generally very safe, but use common sense: lock your rental bike or car, don't leave valuables on the beach, and be aware that ambulance response times can be slow in remote areas (health insurance is essential).  

Plus, the sun is strong here, even when there's a breeze. Sunscreen, a hat, and a long-sleeved shirt for the middle of the day are not negotiable, they can be a lifesaver. The water from the tap is safe to drink, but many prefer bottled water, but it's cheap and available pretty much everywhere.  

The wind on the north coast can pick up in the afternoon, especially in July and August. If you're a kite-surfer, that's a bonus, if you're just trying to keep your umbrella from flying away, head to the south coast or the west.  

And one last - but important thing - don't miss the ferry to Nisyros. Walking into that volcano crater is unlike anything else you've experienced. 

You could do a lot worse than spend your first morning in Kos Town just wandering and getting the feel of the pace of life. The harbour is lively without being frantic, the castle ruins are free to explore, and the Plane Tree of Hippocrates - ancient, sprawling, and supported by metal crutches - sits in a square where you can drink coffee and watch the world go by. Once you've done you'll want to explore further.  

Start with the Asklepieion, a hillside sanctuary of healing, built on three terraces overlooking the sea. Hippocrates taught here, or so the story goes, and the views alone feel restorative. The ruins are well-preserved enough to imagine the patients, priests, and physicians moving between the altars, the baths, and the sleep chambers where dreams were interpreted as cures. Go early to avoid the heat and the tour groups.  

Next, why not rent a bike. Kos is famously flat, and the coastal road from Kos Town to Tingaki is an easy, pleasant ride with the sea on one side and farmland on the other. You'll pass the salt flats where flamingos gather in spring and autumn, and you can stop at any of the beachside cafés for a cold drink. The whole route is about fifteen kilometres each way - manageable for most, even in the summer heat (bring plenty of water).  

The volcano on Nisyros is a proper day trip. The ferry leaves from Kos Town or Kardamena, and the journey takes about an hour. The island itself is white-washed and quiet, but the crater is the draw - a lunar landscape of grey rock, yellow sulphur, and steam rising from vents in the earth. The ground is hot, the smell is strong, and the feeling is unlike anything else in the region.  

For that perfect sunset picture, head to Agios Stefanos. A pebble beach on the west coast, with the ruins of a Christian basilica at one end and the islet of Kastri just offshore. The chapel on the islet is tiny, white-washed, and floodlit after dark. Swim across if you're confident - the water is shallow and calm - or just watch from the beach as the sun dips behind the sea. The light turns everything gold, and the crowd are few.  

Back in Kos Town, the castle is worth the climb. The Knights of St John built it in the 14th century, and the outer walls are impressive. The inner courtyard is a ruin, but the views over the harbour and across to Turkey are worth the entrance fee. The nearby Roman Odeon is small, well-preserved, and free - tucked behind the main square, it's easy to miss, but peaceful in a way that the busier sites aren't.  

Wine tasting on Kos is a quiet pleasure that you'll love. The island has a handful of small wineries, producing fresh whites and rosés from local grapes. Most require advance booking, but the tasting room in Kos Town's old quarter is an easy introduction. The food pairings - local cheese, olives, and honey - are worth the price of admission.  

And then there's the nightlife.  

Kardamena has the clubs, and in July and August, they're busy. The strip is lively without being intimidating, and the crowd is mixed - British, Scandinavians, and Greeks from the mainland. Kos Town offers a more sophisticated evening: bars (yes, even Irish bars) along the harbour, live music in the old quarter, and a slower pace for those who've had their fill of loud bass.  

That's the great thing about Kos; wild nightlife, lazy days, historical sites, and great food and drinks, you choose the pace that suits you. 

Kos is blessed with a coastline that suits every kind of beachgoer. The north coast offers long, sandy stretches with shallow water and family-friendly amenities. The south coast is rockier, with clearer water and a quieter feel. The west has dramatic views and a few hidden coves. And everywhere, the sea is that inviting shade of blue. 

• Tingaki Beach - A long, sandy stretch on the north coast with shallow water and a view across to Turkey. Family-friendly, organised, and perfect for young children. 
• Marmari Beach - Quieter than Tingaki, with soft sand and a relaxed vibe. Sunbeds, a few tavernas, and a kite-surfing school when the wind picks up.  
• Paradise Beach (Kefalos Bay) - A long, sandy stretch below the village of Kefalos, with shallow water and a handful of laid-back tavernas. Sunbeds, windsurfing, and peace.  
• Kardamena Beach - A sandy bay in front of the resort, with shallow water and plenty of amenities. Lively but family-friendly, with a lovely harbour at one end.  
• Mastichari Beach - A long, sandy stretch in a working fishing village. Shallow water, excellent seafood tavernas, and a ferry to Kalymnos. Sunsets are spectacular here.  
• Lambi Beach - The closest sandy beach to Kos Town, just a short walk north. Organised sunbeds, a few tavernas, and a view across to the castle.  
• Agios Stefanos Beach - A pebble cove on the west coast, with the ruins of a basilica at one end and the islet of Kastri offshore. Quiet, scenic, and good for snorkelling.  
• Limnionas Beach - A small pebble cove on the west coast, with turquoise water and a single taverna on the rocks. Perfect for snorkelling, even better for lunch.  
• Camel Beach (Agios Theologos) - A sandy bay on the west coast, named for the camel rides once offered here. Quieter than the north coast, with clear water.  
• Kefalos Beach - A long, sandy stretch below the village of Kefalos, with shallow water and a handful of laid-back tavernas. Less crowded than the nearby Paradise Beach.  
• Therma Beach - A rocky cove near the village of Agios Fokas, known for its natural hot springs. The water is warm, sulphur-rich, and reputedly therapeutic. It can be a bit stinky.  
• Helona Beach - A small, family-friendly beach near Mastichari, with shallow water and a taverna serving fresh fish. Quieter than the main resorts, worth the short drive.  
• Agios Fokas Beach - A pebble beach on the east coast, with a 'Wetherspoon's-style' bar and restaurant. Not the island's prettiest, but convenient for Kos Town and reliably organised.  
• Psalidi Beach - A pebble and shingle beach east of Kos Town, popular with windsurfers and those seeking quiet. A few tavernas, sunbeds, and a view across to Turkey.  
• Kakapetra Beach - A tiny, rocky cove near Kefalos, known only to locals and the curious. No facilities, just clear water and a sense of discovery. Follow the path down.

Kos's food is straightforward and satisfying. The island's fertile soil produces delicious tomatoes, olives, and watermelons. The sea provides fish, squid, and octopus. And the kitchens, whether in a beachside taverna or a mountain village, know what to do with them.  

The signature dish on the island is poulet sto fourno - oven-baked chicken with potatoes, lemon, and oregano - it's simple, it's everywhere, and it's always good.  

The sea gives more than fish. Lakerda is cured tuna, served in thin slices with olive oil and lemon - a specialty of the Dodecanese. Atherina are tiny fried fish, eaten whole, crispy, with a squeeze of lemon. And kalamari is everywhere; the best versions are grilled, not fried, with nothing but olive oil and a pinch of oregano.  

The vineyards of Kos are small but they're well worth a visit. The island's winemaking tradition dates back to antiquity, and a handful of family-run estates still produce wine from local grape varieties. The whites are fresh and with a minerally bite that are perfect with seafood. The reds are light and easy to drink. The tasting rooms are informal, the prices are low, and the views are often spectacular. A great way to spend an afternoon on the island. 

The culture of Kos comes in many layers, just like its history.  

The Knights of St John left the castle at the harbour. The Ottomans left mosques and a market hall. The Italians left grand public buildings and a grid plan for Kos Town. Each wave added something, and the result is a small city where you can walk from a Roman ruin to a medieval fortress to a war memorial in ten minutes.  

The healing tradition is the island's oldest story - still drawing wellness tourists and spa-lovers to this day.  

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, was born on the nearby island of Kos in the 5th century BCE. He taught at the Asklepieion, a sanctuary where patients came to be healed through a combination of ritual, diet, and exercise. The site is hauntingly beautiful, set on a hillside overlooking the sea. Go early, take water, and imagine the priests moving between the altars in the morning light.  

The villages have their own rhythm. Zia is famous for its sunset views and tourist shops, but the walk up through the old village, past stone cottages and tumbling bougainvillea, is a pure delight.  

Pyli has an abandoned settlement above the modern town, with a ruined Byzantine church that offers sweeping views across the plain. Kefalos, perched on a hill, is quieter and more traditional, with a handful of tavernas serving home-cooked food and local wines.  

In July, the Hippocratia festival celebrates the island's ancient heritage with music, dance, and theatre. In August, the Kos International Film Festival brings movies to the castle courtyard, and in the villages, the panigiria - religious festivals with live music and dancing - are the best kind of chaos and fun.  

It's worth noting that Souvlaki is not just a kebab; it's a way of life here. Gyros is the stacked version, sliced thin, and loukaniko is a spicy pork sausage, grilled and served with bread and mustard. And the honey from Kos is on a whole new level - dark, thick, sweet, and aromatic. You'll definitely want to take a jar or two home with you. 

The beautiful about Kos is that it doesn't pretend to be something it's not. The food is simple, the culture is alive, and the welcome is genuine, and that's the real attraction. 

Kos is one of those islands that's can be pretty easy to figure out, but a few things are worth knowing before you go. The airport is small, the roads are flat, and the locals have been hosting Irish tourists for decades.  

Direct flights from Dublin and Cork run from spring through autumn, taking about three and a half hours. The airport is just outside Kos Town, and the queue for passport control can be long in peak season - patience is your best friend here (even if you're anxious to get your holiday started).  

A hire car is the best way to explore the island's interior and the west coast. Bikes are a real and great option for the flat east coast, but you'll want a car for the hills around Kefalos and the drive to Zia.  

It's really important to remember that the sun is strong here, even with a breeze (you won't even notice the sun burn happening). Sunscreen, a hat, and a long-sleeved shirt for the middle of the day are an absolute necessity.  

Mosquitoes are present near wetlands and in the evening - pack a good DEET-base repellent and an after-bite cream to ease the itching. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for the Asklepieion, the castle, and the volcanic crater on Nisyros. For electronics, Greece uses 230V voltage (same as Ireland), but the sockets are two-pin Type C or F. You'll need a simple travel adaptor for your Irish three-pin plugs.  

Kos is good value in comparison to many of the other Greek islands. A gyros is only a couple of Euros, and a sit-down meal with wine is less than €20 per person. The local wine is young and fresh, and delicious. Supermarkets are well-stocked to take care of your picnic need, and the bakeries sell the most amazing breads, pastries, and cheese pies. Cards are accepted in most places, but carry some cash for smaller villages, remote beach tavernas, and the local wineries.  

Greeks greet with a "kalimera" (good morning) and a smile, try to learn a few simple words of Greek, the locals will really appreciate it. Tipping is appreciated; rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is fine. When entering churches, cover your shoulders and knees - a light scarf or shawl is more than enough. And because the pace of life is slower here waiting for your meal make take a little extra time. 

In the unlikely event that you'll need it, the emergency number is 112. Pharmacies are easy to spot with their green crosses, and the tap water is safe to drink, but you might prefer bottled - it's cheap, and the taste is better (especially for making tea). The sun is the real risk on Kos, so don't underestimate it; dehydration and sunburn are both common and dangerous. Drink water, find shade, wear a hat, and reapply sunscreen as often as you can.  

A few other things to know about Kos. The north coast beaches are lovely, but the afternoon wind can be strong - plan your beach days for the morning if you can. The ferry to Nisyros is a day trip, but the return times can be limited; be sure to book ahead during the busy summer season. The Asklepieion is best visited early or late, when the light is soft and the crowds are scarce. And the nightlife in Kardamena is loud and late - if that's not your cup of tea, think again. The team at Cassidy Travel will be more than happy to advise you.  

One last thing you should know; the airport on the way home can be pretty crazy during the peak season. Arrive two hours early, bring snacks and water, the air conditioning struggles, and the queues move slowly. The most important thing to bring with you to the airport is patience and a big smile, you don't want your trip to the airport to ruin a perfect holiday.