What to Do and See in Kos and Exploring by Boat

Kos is the green, easy-going giant of the southern Dodecanese. Flat and fertile where its neighbours are bare, it has been a crossroads since antiquity — birthplace of Hippocrates, home of the great healing sanctuary of the Asklepion, later a stronghold of the Knights of St John, and today one of the most visited islands in Greece.

That popularity comes with real advantages: excellent services, an airport, a big modern marina, and a coastline that runs from long sandy beaches to volcanic springs. And it sits at the centre of a superb sailing ground — Pserimos and Plati a few miles off, Kalymnos just north, the smoking volcano of Nisyros just south.

This guide covers what to see, what to do, the best beaches and swim stops, where to eat, and everything you need to plan a visit by boat.

Why visit Kos?

Start with the layers of history. Few islands this size pack in so much: the ancient agora and the tree of Hippocrates in Kos Town, the fortress-like Neratzia Castle guarding the harbour, and above all the Asklepion, the ancient world's most celebrated hospital, terraced into the hillside a few kilometres inland.

Then the ease. Kos is flat enough to cycle end to end — the island is famous for its bikes — and organised enough that a crew can provision, repair and recharge without effort. Beaches, villages and tavernas follow one another along a coast made for casual exploring.

And the position. Kos is the perfect springboard: a short hop to quiet Pserimos, a morning to Nisyros' crater, an afternoon to Kalymnos' fjords. Few islands offer so much variety within so few miles.

What to see in Kos

Kos Town

The capital rewards a full morning: the ancient agora and the plane tree said to shade Hippocrates, the massive Neratzia Castle built by the Knights of St John, the excavated Roman Casa Romana with its mosaics, and the lively lanes and waterfront in between. The harbour is working history — ferries, caiques and yachts against castle walls.

The Asklepion

Four kilometres inland, the sanctuary of Asklepios was the most famous healing centre of the ancient world, where medicine was practised under the god's name. Three terraces rise through pines to a temple colonnade with a view to the sea — atmospheric at any hour, magical in the late afternoon.

Villages of the hills

Kos' interior is overlooked and lovely. Zia, on the slopes of Mount Dikeos, is the island's sunset village — tavernas with views across the whole island. Asfendiou is a cluster of quiet hamlets below the mountain, Pyli keeps an old centre and the Roman-era Tomb of Kleandros, and Antimachia holds a Venetian castle and a row of restored windmills.

What to do in Kos

Soak in the hot springs

At Thermes (Empros Thermes), on the southeast coast near Agios Fokas, volcanic hot springs bubble up between dark rocks and pool in the sea — a natural spa where hot and cold water mix by the metre. Go at off-peak times and bring shoes for the pebbles.

Boat to Pserimos and Plati

The island of Pserimos, a short sail northeast, is a sandy bay with a village, a beach and a pace set entirely by boats. Tiny Plati, just off Kos Town, is the classic lunch stop. Both are half-day trips that make you feel the Dodecanese's scale immediately.

Day trip to Nisyros

The volcano of Nisyros lies just to the south, and standing inside the steaming crater of Stefanos is one of the great experiences of the Aegean. Excursion boats run from Kardamena; with your own boat, you set the schedule — see our Nisyros guide for the details.

Cycle the island

Kos is famously flat and famously bike-friendly: rent a bicycle and ride the coastal path from Kos Town, or take a bike on the local bus and roll back from a village lunch. It is the best way to feel the island's scale.

Chapels and quiet corners

Away from the resort strips, whitewashed churches and stone chapels appear along the roads and headlands — stop wherever the light looks good. Kos rewards the unhurried drive.

Beaches and swim stops in Kos

Kos' beaches range from long organised sands to wild volcanic coves — and the best of them are easy by boat or bike.

Paradise Beach

On the southeast coast between Kefalos and Kos Town, Paradise Beach earns its name twice over: soft golden sand and warm bubbles rising from volcanic springs on the seabed. Swim out past the buoys to feel them — a natural spa in the sea.

Agios Stefanos and Kastri

The island's most photographed scene: a sandy bay with ancient basilica ruins on the shore and the tiny islet of Kastri — white chapel and all — standing just offshore. Swim across in calm weather for the view back.

Kefalos and Kamari Bay

At the island's southwestern end, the old village of Kefalos sits on a hill above Kamari Bay — clear water, a long beach and the most sheltered anchorage on the island's south side.

Camel Beach

A small volcanic beach with grey sand and dramatic rock backdrops on the Kefalos peninsula — quieter and stranger than its neighbours.

Tigaki, Marmari and Mastichari

The north coast's trio of long sandy beaches, with shallow water and easy beach-club comfort. Best in the morning, before the meltemi ruffles that shore.

The coast between the beaches

Between the named beaches, Kos' coastline is one long invitation: coves behind the capes, flats off the sandbars, water that shifts from jade to cobalt within a mile. With a boat, the island never repeats itself.

Food and where to eat in Kos

Kos' kitchen is rooted in its produce — the island grows more vegetables than it eats — and its signature dishes are simple and excellent. Order pitaroudia, the chickpea fritters that are Kos' trademark meze; dolmadakia made with local vine leaves; goat slow-cooked with pasta; and the island's honey-drizzled sweets. Fresh fish is best sought away from the resort strips, at the little ports where the caiques land.

Kos Town

Behind the harbour, the old town's lanes hold tavernas and ouzeri at every price point — the ones a street back from the water cook for locals. Across from the ancient agora, cafés under the trees make the best afternoon stop on the island.

Fishing ports and villages

Mastichari, on the north coast, is the island's classic fish-taverna village — grilled catch with your feet near the water. Kefalos village serves mountain plates with a view over Kamari Bay, and at Zia the hillside tavernas turn sunset into a three-course event. Book Zia for the terrace table; everywhere else, follow the Greeks.

Exploring Kos by boat

Kos is the Dodecanese's best-equipped sailing base, and its position makes almost every itinerary possible.

Kos Marina and the town harbour

The modern Kos Marina, just south of the castle, offers full services — berths, fuel, chandleries, repair yards — and is the region's natural provisioning stop. The town harbour beside the castle takes smaller craft. Both face north: in a fresh meltemi the harbour entrance gets lively, and the north coast builds a chop — plan passages to the south and east sides accordingly.

Kefalos and Kamari Bay

On the southwest corner, Kamari Bay is the island's favourite anchorage: good holding over sand, shelter from the meltemi, tavernas ashore and the view up to Kefalos village. Cape Krio beyond it is windier than the chart suggests — respect the corner.

Pserimos, Plati and the islets

Pserimos' sandy bay is the classic first-night stop out of Kos, and Plati the easy lunch. Watch the ferry and excursion traffic in the channels — they run fast and often.

Nisyros and the south

The run south to Nisyros — about ten miles via the pumice islet of Yali — is the volcano day: anchor at Pali or Mandraki and take the crater road. In meltemi conditions the passage is easy with the wind abaft the beam in the morning.

Cruising tips

Kalymnos lies about five miles north, Nisyros ten south, Leros and Leipsoi beyond — the northern Dodecanese strings itself out from Kos like beads. The meltemi builds the north coast and funnels between the islands; the south and east coasts give calmer water. Kos' airport and marina make it the standard start or finish for southern-Dodecanese charters.

Getting around Kos

Kos is the easiest island in the Dodecanese to travel around: an excellent local bus network reaches every major beach and village, the roads are flat and well-surfaced, and rental cars, scooters and especially bicycles are everywhere. The airport, a few kilometres southwest of Kos Town, connects with Athens and Europe all summer, and ferries link the island with Piraeus, Kalymnos, Rhodes and the whole Dodecanese chain.

How many days do you need in Kos?

Two days cover the essentials: Kos Town and the Asklepion, a beach afternoon at Paradise or Agios Stefanos, and dinner in the old town or at Mastichari.

Three or four let the island open up: a Nisyros volcano day, the villages of the hills, a Pserimos overnight and a slow morning at Kamari Bay. On a sailing route, Kos is typically the first or last night — arrive for provisioning and a castle sunset, leave with the fuel tanks full and the wind plan made.

Islands to visit after Kos

Kos sits at the centre of the Dodecanese's cruising ground, with short, varied legs in every direction.

Kalymnos, five miles north, is the sponge island — Pothia's amphitheatre of houses, the fjord of Rina and world-class climbing.

Nisyros, ten miles south, is the volcano — walk the steaming crater, then swim off the black pebbles at Hohlaki.

Leros, north, brings art-deco Lakki, the castle of Pandeli and the region's finest sheltered bays.

Astypalaia, west, is the gateway island — a Venetian castle and the coves of Kounoupa.

Linked together, Kos, Kalymnos and Nisyros make the classic first week of a Dodecanese charter — three islands, three characters, all within a morning's sail.

Final thoughts

Kos is the island that makes a route work: history worth a full morning, beaches worth a full week, services that remove every excuse, and neighbours worth every mile of open water.

Start here or finish here — just leave time for one last swim off Kastri before the boat turns north.