Kos Town, at the north end of the island, is usually the first stop for tourists. A sophisticated and lively city, it features a harbour which offers many amazing restaurants alongside chic bars serving classic cocktails, with many bars also hidden away in the windy little back streets.

Kefalos in the south is another popular destination. It may seem a little on the traditional side, but visitors will soon see that alongside the ancient ruins and quaint windmills is a bustling town packed with tavernas, bars and restaurants, with the nearby resort area of Kamari a hot spot.

Psaladi is little more than a long stretch of beach with a few drinking spots, but it is perfect for those heading to Kos to get away from it all. It is also only a short way from the capital, so a great night out can be had here with ease.

Kardamena on the south coast is a bustling beach resort that is ideal for water sport enthusiasts, as jet-skiing and waterskiing are popular activities here. There are plenty of beachside bars and shops, too. This is easily the most popular beach on the island and although it can feel crowded, there is a great atmosphere and plenty of amenities.

Banana Beach near Kefalos is often named as the most photogenic beach on the island, with rolling dunes creating a great backdrop. For those seeking luxury, neighbouring Paradise Beach more than lives up to its name. The volcanic bubbles in the sea here make for a natural sea spa.

The north of the island is easily the best spot for deserted shores. Selveri Beach has a great view across the waters to the Turkish coast and a low-key atmosphere, with few resorts and plenty of secluded spots.

Kos is steeped in history; after all, Greece is one of the oldest civilisations. The Castle of the Knights was the main defence against the Ottomans and is now a stunning spot to visit. Built in 14th century, it was damaged by an earthquake in 1495 but was perfectly resorted in the 16th century. Just south of the castle is the ancient Agora. This open site where visitors can stroll through ancient Greek ruins dates back to the 3rd century.

The Archaeological Museum is a great place to visit for those interested in learning more about the history of the island. Here, tourists can see many 3rd century mosaics and an impressive statue of famous ancient Greek physician Hippocrates.

Asklepion is another great place to witness the ruins of the ancient Greek empire. Cycling to this site is a popular but strenuous activity. Plenty of buses head here too and there are stunning views across the island from this vantage point.

The Church of Christ, in Kos Town centre, is a popular religious point of interest. Here, there are a number of Greek paintings and sculptures, with Greek Orthodox services on throughout the week.

The tiny village of Zia, found at the top of the Dikaion Mountain, has a nice little church and a number of local tavernas. This is also the location of Traditional Nature Park of Zia, which produces a huge amount of natural products that are then turned into things such as soaps. There are some great trails for visitors to explore and children can pet animals in the petting zoo.

Depending on the type of nightlife visitors prefer, Kos has a number of places to head in an evening. However, the undisputed queen of nightlife is Kardamena. Here, those looking for a lively evening can spend their time in the numerous bars, clubs and karaoke joints. Most of the clubs play current chart music or classics, so it’s not surprisingly this area is popular with the 18-30s crowd. The Starlight club is one of the top clubs here, with a foam party held every weekend.

Kos Town offers a great night out, but with a considerably more sophisticated feel. Many of the bars here serve classic cocktails on the harbour front and live music is generally tasteful and subdued. Many bars are open late, as are restaurants, so an evening meal can be enjoyed over a number of hours. Diakon Street and Naflirou Street are set back from the harbour, with a distinctly cosmopolitan feel to them.

Haman bar is a popular bar in the centre of Kos Town. Formally a Turkish bath, it’s now a high end bar with a number of chill-out rooms along with an open-air dance floor. During the summer months, it’s a DJ spot and the whole place oozes style.

Heaven, in Lambi, is another open-air disco. The vibe here is more funky and bohemian, with a swimming pool only a short walk from the dance floor.

The open-air theme extends to the island’s cinemas. Orfeos, in Kos Town, is an open-air cinema that shows a mixture of classic Greek films and Hollywood blockbusters. Films tend to be in English with subtitles, but it’s best to check before purchasing a ticket.

Kos Town is the place to find the majority of the traditional restaurants; however, Greek cuisine is easy to find across the island.

The Greek meze is similar to Spanish tapas. It’s great as a starter or a main meal, as it gives visitors the chance to sample a number of dishes. It’s also an extremely sociable way to try the local cuisine. Tzatziki, a yogurt, cucumber and garlic dip, is perfect with the warm pitta bread and olives that often come with meze.

Saganale, deep friend goat’s cheese, is another favourite dish in Kos, along with stuffed vine leaves and mousaka, which is similar to lasagne but made using aubergine and other vegetables. Another local delicacy to try is spedzofai, a stew made from spicy sausage and flavoured with spice.

Meze can be enjoyed at lunch or dinner and of course, should be accompanied by a few glasses of wine. Briki, a Greek style of coffee, is popular in the tavernas. Many restaurants offer the tradition sprit ouzo as an aperitif―a strong aniseed flavoured drink. Mythos beer and the local wine, Hatziemmanouil, can be enjoyed by those not keen on strong spirits.

Dinner in Kos tends to be eaten late, as is the custom in Greece, and although many restaurants open early for tourists, the late evening is when the towns and harbours come to life. As an island, Kos features seafood as one of its must-tries, and fish restaurants can be found across the island.

For those seeking a taste of home, there are a number of British style pubs in Kos Town, while Kardamena is the place to head for major fast food chains and fish and chip places.