With something old and something new, a holiday in Kos allows you to experience a wonderful blend of ancient and cosmopolitan cultures. The island has long stretches of soft, sandy beaches, picturesque harbours and blue seas. Flying over the magnificent mountain villages is a pleasure in itself with journeys taking less than four hours from most UK airports throughout the summer season. Kos is part of the Dodecanese, a group of Greek islands off the southwest coast of Turkey that have a rich history, and this often spectacular region is no exception.
With it's huge diversity of resorts, Kos is a haven for families and partygoers alike....
Kos can offer something for everyone, but choosing the right resort within the island is crucial if you are to get what you want from your holiday. The three most popular resorts are diverse with Kefalos a peaceful hillside town that is suited for holidaymakers looking to relax, Kardamena a very lively, busy resort ideally suited to partygoers and Kos Town offers a blend of both worlds with history, nightlife and a charming seafront. Kos is a haven for beach lovers and sightseers alike.
With excellent dry and sunny weather, Kos is ideal for summer holidays, and the island has established a reputation internationally for its bustling club scene. The winter will find nearly all resorts closed and flights only available from Athens.
The resort of Kardamena, which is just 15 minutes from the island's airport, is the perfect haven for young adults seeking a great nightlife. It has a particularly vibrant scene with bars and clubs in the town centre, while the waterfront is lined with cocktail lounges. There are a number of discos meaning that the party atmosphere continues deep into the early hours, though there is plenty to see by day too. Many clubbers like to chill out on the silver sand and shingle beach, while there are pedal boats, boat trips and watersports for those who are more active along with a host of great places to eat with shops, supermarkets, restaurants and fast food outlets.
Kos Town also has a pulsating nightlife with bars, open-air cafes and the island's largest disco. The most popular area is aptly named 'Bar Street' and there is a great variety of restaurants with traditional dishes on the menu - including grilled and fried fresh fish. Kos Town has the island's best shopping centre, selling everything from pottery and textiles to rugs and 'goat skin bags'. Its harbour is the most picturesque on the island and there are two good beaches as well as a great historical epicentre that incorporates the Old Quarter with narrow streets, ancient mosaics, the 14th Century Castle of the Knights and the 3rd Century Temple and Alter of Dionysos.
Those looking for a more tranquil setting should head to Kefalos, which is less than an hour from the airport and still has plenty to offer with shops, restaurants and bars. However, this peaceful hillside town is certainly about relaxation as it overlooks the sweeping sands of Kamari beach. Both Paradise and Magical beaches are just a short drive away, making Kefalos one of the most accessible points on the island.
Tingaki and Marmaris Beach are two of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the island that are well worth a visit, while the mountain hamlet of Agios Dimitris is popular for day trippers. Ferries run regularly to the Turkish port of Bodrum with voyages taking as little as 20 minutes.
