Kos Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Kos featuring heritage architecture
This island town impresses with magnificent Roman and Ottoman ruins, Hellenistic artifacts and medieval architecture.

From the Greeks to the Romans to the Ottomans, the world’s most powerful civilizations have left their mark on the remarkable Kos Town. Strewn with medieval castles and ancient marketplaces, as well as a Roman Odeon and one of history’s earliest medical centers, this village overflows with history. Explore the fascinating ruins before hitting the beach.

Kos’s archaeological ruins are some of the most popular in the Dodecanese. Visit the central square and stand under the Tree of Hippocrates, a plane tree where Hippocrates once taught his students. Meander along the port to the impressive Castle of Neratzia. Built by the Knights of St. John, this defensive structure overlooked the water passage between Kos and Halicarnassus. The inner Keep was built in the 14th century while the outer Keep dates back to around the 16th century.

South of the harbour is the excavation of the Ancient Agora where ancient houses with mosaics, columns, temples and bathhouses recall the lives of bygone civilizations. Stroll through the Ancient Market, which dates back to the third century B.C.

Continue your explorations in the Northern Baths area, home to the Ancient Stadium, and at the ruins of the Western Archaeological Site. Examine the intricate mosaic floors in the restored Casa Romana then rest on the stone steps of the nearby Roman Odeon Amphitheatre, which was built between the first and second century. Look to the stage area and imagine that in its time, up to 750 people would gather here to watch theatre, music performances and Roman games. Many excavated relics from this area can be viewed at the Archaeological Museum on Eleftherias Square.

Other impressive sites include the House of Count Francesco Sans, the Mosque of Gazi Hasan Pasha and the Panellenion Complex, where the Italian National Fascist Party held office. Day-trips to the ancient structures of the Asclepeion are also popular. This famed healing resort is where Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, is thought to have trained.

After a day of sightseeing, unwind on Zouroudi Beach or the quieter Psalidi Beach. For further relaxation, sink into the warm mineral baths at Therma.

Kos Town is located on the northeast coast of the island. Get here by boat from Piraeus, Rhodes or Turkey or fly into Kos Island International Airport, Hippocrates.

Kos Divine Hotel and Suites
Kos Divine Hotel and Suites
4 out of 5
2 Charmilou Str., Kos, Kos Island
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £69 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
£69
per night
29 Mar - 30 Mar
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Kos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Kos Marina and Shrine of Aphrodite are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
"As a family group of 5 adults we all had a fantastic time at the Kos Divine. Everything was catered for. The staff were very friendly and we particularly liked the roof top bar in the evening. Would highly recommend."

Reviewed on 6 Sep 2023

Kos Divine Hotel and Suites
Mitsis Norida
Mitsis Norida
5 out of 5
Kardamena, Kos, Kos Island
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Kos. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (164 reviews)
"Staff were wonderful, definitely not a five star hotel, rooms very basic"

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2023

Mitsis Norida
OKU Hotel Kos
OKU Hotel Kos
5 out of 5
Marmari, Kos
The price is £192 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
£192
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kos. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions Tigaki Beach and Marmari Beach are located nearby. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (167 reviews)
"We were upgraded to a suite with a pool and the room was excellent. Yoga on the beach every morning was a great addition and the teacher was excellent! We had a lovely stay and enjoyed all the evening activities including the cinema night and star gazing. The food was great and we can’t wait to come ..."

Reviewed on 5 Sep 2023

OKU Hotel Kos
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Kos Divine Hotel and Suites
Kos Divine Hotel and Suites
4 out of 5
2 Charmilou Str., Kos, Kos Island
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Kos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Kos Marina and Shrine of Aphrodite are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
"As a family group of 5 adults we all had a fantastic time at the Kos Divine. Everything was catered for. The staff were very friendly and we particularly liked the roof top bar in the evening. Would highly recommend."

Reviewed on 6 Sep 2023

Kos Divine Hotel and Suites
Chrysoula Hotel & Apartments
Chrysoula Hotel & Apartments
3 out of 5
Kefalos, Kos, Kos Island
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly aparthotel in Kos. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool and breakfast. Popular attractions Agios Stefanos Beach and Kefalos ...
7.8/10 Good! (15 reviews)
"Good room, pool and breakfast. Near the beach. A longish but flat walk into town."

Reviewed on 26 Sep 2022

Chrysoula Hotel & Apartments
Antimachia: Villa with private pool
Antimachia: Villa with private pool
ANTIMACHIA, South Aegean
Stay at this holiday home in Kos. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools and a water park. Popular attractions Plaka Forest and Mastichari Beach are located nearby. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (38 reviews)
Brossette Villa
"Beautiful place, exactly what I expected. Plenty of information, lots to make you comfortable"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2023

Antimachia: Villa with private pool
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Kos

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
41
" "5 - Excellent 44.086021505376344%
4 - Good
42
" "4 - Good 45.16129032258065%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 9.67741935483871%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 1.075268817204301%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
14 Oct 2019

Our resort was lovely and no reason to leave the resort. However its a shame that many historical sites in Kos Town have been ruined by 2017 earthquake and not repaired or reopened due to safety. We were disappointed that we were unaware of this.

4/5 - Good

Emma
11 Oct 2019

Beautiful beaches, lovely restaurants and food, nice little shops in Kardamena and Mastichari but very barren and run down outside the tourist spots

4/5 - Good

Kamil
6 Oct 2019

Not so much to see and explore in Kos. Good for all inclusive holidays with kids if you don't plan to move around too much.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
6 Oct 2019

Relaxing. Easy to get around. Fairly cheap food, drinks and buying gifts.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Oct 2019

Very good town, lot to go at.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
29 Sep 2019

Didn’t go there for sightseeing but for a couple of days serious rest and relaxation, which is what we got with the lovely hotel.

Cities near Kos