Things to do in Kos: beaches, villages and local flavours

Leave a few days beyond the hotel when visiting Kos. Spend a morning in town and its market, choose a beach in Kefalos Bay, then head to Zia for dinner on another day. There is also island-made wine to discover, along with a distinctive cheese matured in wine lees.

For a first visit, we suggest grouping outings by area: Kos Town and the Asklepieion on one day, the southwest on another, with Zia and the winery planned around opening arrangements and your meal. This leaves time to stop for coffee, look inside an interesting shop or stay longer at the beach.

Kos Town and its market: begin on foot

From the harbour into the Old Town

The harbour is a convenient starting point. Walk beside the boats, then explore the streets around Eleftherias Square and towards Diagoras Square. There are shops, cafés and tavernas along the way, with archaeological sites to add according to your interests.

If you come during the day, consider returning in the evening for dinner and a walk. Choose one historic site rather than trying to cover every excavation in the same outing, leaving time for the town around them.

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The Municipal Market: spices, honey and something to take home

The covered Municipal Market, Dimotiki Agora, stands on Eleftherias Square. The arcaded building houses stalls selling spices, olives, olive oil, wine, honey, sweets and souvenirs. It makes a useful stop while exploring town, especially for edible discoveries to enjoy during your stay or take home.

Ask what is made on Kos and read the label. Look for krasotyri, also known as posa cheese: it is matured in wine lees, giving it a reddish exterior. Another name to recognise is domataki, a tomato spoon sweet. Local honey is worth looking for too; stock varies between shops.

Keep the names straight: the Municipal Market is a present-day shopping stop. The Ancient Agora is a separate archaeological site in town.

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The Asklepieion: make time for the setting

The Asklepieion lies outside Kos Town. It was a sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of medicine, and a centre for healing and medical teaching in antiquity. Its remains occupy three terraces on a hillside, with stairways, columns and views towards the sea.

Understanding the arrangement makes the visit rewarding: where the temples, baths and spaces used by visitors stood, and how the levels connected. Follow the information boards, or choose a guided visit for more context.

We suggest a cooler part of the day, with water and comfortable shoes. There are stairs and an uphill route between levels. Check current opening and admission arrangements, especially outside summer. Plan this as a separate stop from walking around the town centre.

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Beaches and southwest Kos: choose somewhere to linger

Agios Stefanos: the sea, church ruins and Kastri

At Agios Stefanos in Kefalos Bay, explore the end beside the basilica ruins. The two churches date from the 5th and 6th centuries, with surviving columns and mosaics beside the sea.

Across the water is Kastri islet, with its blue-domed chapel. The beach combines sand and pebbles and makes a good choice for a longer stop rather than visiting several beaches in one day. Check sea conditions and operating facilities on arrival; a photograph of the bay cannot tell you what swimming conditions will be like during your visit.

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Kefalos and Kamari: village above, harbour below

After the beach, consider going up to Kefalos village for a walk among the houses and lanes. It adds a village visit and a view over the area to your day by the water.

When navigating, distinguish the two names: Kefalos is the hilltop village, while Kamari is the coastal settlement with the harbour. In Kamari, walk beside the boats and choose a café or taverna. Decide which stop suits the time available and where you would like to sit; you need not add both simply to tick them off.

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Find Kamari harbour on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Tigaki: a beach day on the north coast

Tigaki offers a long sandy shore, with organised sections and stretches with fewer facilities. Cafés and restaurants line the road near the beach.

Choose your section according to what matters that day: an umbrella, lunch nearby or somewhere to spread a towel. Wind can be noticeable here, so adapt to the forecast and conditions on arrival rather than sticking to a beach decision made several days earlier.

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Zia: arrive before sunset and stay for dinner

Zia sits on the slopes of Mount Dikeos, with views towards the coast and neighbouring islands. Its lanes have shops, cafés and tavernas. Many visitors come for sunset, but leave time to explore in daylight too.

We suggest arriving before your meal, walking through the village and looking for a local drink or product that interests you. Try kanelada, a cinnamon-based drink, and browse herbs and local sweets. If coming by taxi or arranged transport, plan the return before sitting down to dinner.

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Oromedon: local cooking with a view

Oromedon is a family taverna in Zia with a terrace facing the sea. The cooking draws on Kos traditions, with wood-fired dishes among its specialities.

When reserving, ask about your table's position and view. Check what is being served that day rather than arriving with a list from an old online menu. This suits an evening built around dinner after exploring the village.

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Wine tasting at Ktima Akrani

Ktima Akrani is in the Asfendiou area. Consider it if you would like to spend part of your holiday discovering wines made on Kos. The winery offers visits and tastings, including options pairing wine with local food.

Before booking, check what your chosen experience includes: a tour, tasting only or wine with food. Not every visit has the same programme. Arrange ahead and allow enough time to enjoy it without rushing to the next stop. If tasting wine, plan suitable transport afterwards too.

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Tam Tam: a meal beside dunes and the sea

Tam Tam is on the north coast in the Mastichari area. The restaurant sits above a beach with dunes and serves Greek and European cooking, including vegetarian options. Combine it with a beach day or choose it for an evening meal by the sea.

Its shop sells art, design pieces and souvenirs, with some items made on site. For sunset, reserve ahead and ask which tables face the sea. Check operating days too: even during the season, the restaurant lists a weekly closing day.

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How to divide your outings

For a town day, start at the Asklepieion and continue to the market and streets of Kos Town. In the southwest, choose Agios Stefanos, adding Kefalos or Kamari when you feel like leaving the beach.

Save Zia for an afternoon and dinner. A winery visit can fit the same part of the island, provided its hours leave a comfortable interval before your meal. On another day, choose Tigaki or the Tam Tam area on the north coast according to the weather and what you feel like doing.

These are ideas for several days. Choose the places that suit you and leave time for the holiday itself. For choosing your base, explore our Kos destination guide.