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Things to do in Kos

This quintessential Greek island is peppered with ancient ruins, sandy beaches, and lush vegetation.

Our most recommended things to do in Kos

From the Port of Kos: Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands

1. From the Port of Kos: Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands

Explore three islands on a full-day boat trip from Kos. Enjoy lunch on board and explore the islands of Kalymnos, Plati, and Pserimos with plenty of time to swim in the paradisical water. First, arrive at Vathi, a beautiful village on the island of Kalymnos. Enjoy the magnificent views of a natural fjord and take pictures of the surrounding gulfs and caves. Get 1 hour to explore its peaceful streets and try local specialties. Return to the boat for a buffet lunch with pork or chicken souvlaki, salad, tzatziki, and bread. There is also a vegetarian option with beans and dolmades instead of meat. After lunch, visit the fish farms nearby and look out for wild dolphins. Continue to Plati islet to jump in the turquoise waters and swim around the boat. Enjoy happy hour on board with refreshing cocktails at low prices. Finally, arrive at Pserimos island. Have 1 hour to explore the island at your own pace before returning to Kos in the evening.

From Kos: Cruise to Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Plati with Lunch

2. From Kos: Cruise to Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Plati with Lunch

Embark on a 3-island cruise on a pirate-style boat from the port of Kos. Visit the 3 beautiful islands of Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Plati and enjoy a traditional Greek BBQ lunch. While you visit the islands you can relax on board, or on the beach, swim in the crystal-clear waters, or use the snorkeling equipment to explore the vibrant marine life in the sea. On some days, you may be lucky to see curious dolphins swim next to the boat. Savor traditional Greek cuisine cooked freshly on board with a delicious BBQ lunch. Choose between chicken, pork, or fish, as well as vegan and vegetarian options.

From Kos: Nisyros Island Volcano and Panagia Spiliani

3. From Kos: Nisyros Island Volcano and Panagia Spiliani

Depart from the port of Kardamena in Kos and take a 1-hour cruise to the volcanic island of Nisyros. Upon arrival, transfer to a waiting bus that’ll take you on a short drive to the volcano. Listen to an informative guide along the way. Get information about the volcano and the history of the island. Then, feel the force of the lava rumbling deep beneath your feet as you enter the volcanic crater. See the bubbling mud pools and steam geysers, and imagine that you have landed on the moon. Return to the port and get the chance to wander around the town of Mandraki. After a short walk through the narrow streets of blue and white painted houses, visit the monastery of Panagia Spiliani, considered one of the most beautiful monasteries of the Greek Islands. Make your way back to town for some free time for lunch (own expense) or do some shopping before boarding the boat back to Kos at 4:00 PM.

From Kos: Independent Day Trip to Bodrum

4. From Kos: Independent Day Trip to Bodrum

After being picked up from the port in Kos, take a stunning boat cruise across the Aegean Sea to Bodrum. Once you have passed through passport control and customs, enjoy a full day to explore this incredible ancient city on your own.  When you arrive in the port, gaze in awe at the beautiful white houses built amphitheatrically on the hillside, dozens of sailboats and yachts, plus one of the most imposing castles in the world. Take a walk along the picturesque streets and admire the architecture. Take in the historical sights and ancient ruins, including the Castle and the ancient Greek city of Halicarnassus, the Windmilles, and the ancient Greek Theatre with 13,000 seats. If you are not a history lover, take a stroll through the small streets and get to know the local cuisine instead. Enjoy a Turkish coffee or tea at a traditional coffee shop, or try 'kebab' and other traditional 'mezedes' and sweet 'kazandibi' - some of the most popular Turkish specialties. After that, head into the really big bazaar for a chance to practice your bargaining skills. Shop for all kinds of souvenirs, folk art, crafts, and clothing. Soak up the incredible lively atmosphere and enjoy the aromas of the spices and local produce. Many stallholders accept euros and almost everyone speaks Greek or English. For a truly Turkish experience, visit a Turkish bath for a little relaxation. Discover how Turkish bathhouses have held a special place in the Turkish culture for hundreds of years. Relax in the steam roam while a highly skilled masseur works away the stresses and strains that have built up in your body during the year. At the end of your incredible day trip, take the boat back to Kos Port in time for your onward journey. 

Kos Town: Kalymnos & Pserimos Day Cruise & Optional Transfer

5. Kos Town: Kalymnos & Pserimos Day Cruise & Optional Transfer

Embark on a full-day boat tour around the islands north of Kos. Relax on the shores of pristine beaches, explore the islands, soak up the views from the boat, and enjoy lunch prepared by the crew. Choose from a tour with or without hotel pickup from select locations in Kos. Depart from Kos Harbor in the morning for a full-day sailing tour north of Kos Island. Relax on board the boat as you travel to Pserimos, a small island with only 60 inhabitants. Spend over an hour in Pserimos enjoying the sun, water, and lovely views on the sandy beach. Hang out in one of the local taverns located directly on the beach. Later, leave Pserimos and make your way toward the small island of Plati. Anchor near the coast of the island to enjoy some free time to swim while the crew prepares lunch. Savor a lunch of traditional Greek dishes such as souvlaki, Greek salad, tzatziki, and fruit. head to Vathy, one of the most beautiful fishing villages in the Dodecanese. Vathy looks like a fiord and lots of people go for a swim in the clear water of Rina. Join the locals in jumping off a cliff diving platform. If you like, treat yourself to a mouth-watering traditional seafood meal in one of the local taverns before heading back to your starting point.

Scuba Dive Adventure off Kos Island

6. Scuba Dive Adventure off Kos Island

Climb aboard for a scuba dive adventure in the Aegean Sea and complete all the required formalities. Fill out a medical statement, and then set sail from Kos Harbour at 10:00. Head for the small island of Pserimos, and journey between 2 countries as you explore the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean. Get an in-depth briefing about your dive, including how to use the equipment to ensure your experience is safe and enjoyable. Then, dive with 2 instructors in a small group of just 4 people for maximum attention. Put on your wet suit, mask, and fins before getting help from your guide to put on the scuba diving equipment. Get into the water and swim with your group to a small beach where the sea is waist deep. Practice breathing techniques in complete safety, before getting help to breathe underwater with one of your Instructors.  Stay within the confines of the protected bay for gentle dives at a location where the water is never more than 5-6 meters deep. Benefit from the services of guides who are always on hand in the unlikely event that you need any assistance. Kokina Bay is perfect for beginner divers, with clear warm water and lots of marine life to see. Take a break to relax after your dive, and then opt to take a 2nd dive or participate in a PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program. Alternatively, relax on the sundeck and top up your tan, or go for some gentle snorkeling and swimming adventures. If you opt for a 2nd dive, learn more advanced techniques to explore and see more of the marine life of the Eastern Mediterranean. Go for a longer and deeper dive that will allow you to experience the sensation of feeling weightless in the water. Dive without stops to get a real connection with nature. 

Kos: Full-Day Jeep Safari with Lunch

7. Kos: Full-Day Jeep Safari with Lunch

Explore the real Kos on a 7-hour tour in a 4X4 vehicle driven by an expert local escort. Drive along unpaved, off-road routes. Continue through dense vegetation, visit places off the tourist track and take in unique panoramic views. After exploring the inland area of Kos, you’ll stop at a traditional coffee shop, where you’ll have a break and enjoy a cup of coffee. The road trip continues to the peak of Mount Dikaios, where you’ll take in some amazing views. Head to a tavern in Zia village and feast on Greek mezedes for lunch, accompanied by local wine. After lunch the tour continues to the peacock park before heading back to the starting point.

Kos: Blue Lagoon Snorkeling Cruise by Speedboat

8. Kos: Blue Lagoon Snorkeling Cruise by Speedboat

Enjoy a relaxed day in the sea. Go swimmming, sunbathing and snorkelling. Go with your whole family, group of friends, acquaintances, on this day boat trip for an exploration in a beautiful blue lagoon with crystal clear water and snorkel around under the indirect supervision of our instructors. Our boat is in Kos harbour, 50 meters away from the Dolphins roundabout. And she departs every morning for the island of Pserimos, wind permit it and availability, at around 09:00 and we are back in Kos at around 14:00-14:30.

Kos: Island Tour to Asklepieion and Zia

9. Kos: Island Tour to Asklepieion and Zia

Explore the attractive island of Kos and admire white sandy beaches, crystal-clear water and idyllic mountain villages. Start above the city of Kos and visit Asklepieion. It is reported that the origins of this former temple date back to around the 4th century BC. The former temple consists of three levels and was once the place for the foundation stone of modern medicine, because there Hippocrates wrote the oath of the same name, which has survived to this day. Drive on to the small village of Antimachia and see an old windmill and a traditional farmhouse. Continue through olive groves and unspoilt countryside to the Kefalos peninsula. Admire the island's most beautiful beaches and enjoy a Greek lunch (optional) in the picturesque Kamari Bay or take advantage of the opportunity for a short refreshment in the crystal clear sea. Another highlight of the eventful day is a visit to the typical mountain village of Zia with its old houses on the slope of the imposing Dikeos mountain. Stroll through the small alleys and get to know the tranquil way of life of the Greeks. Discover the numerous spice stands and taste the typical cinnamon water.

From Kos: Boat Tour to the Volcanic Island of Nisyros

10. From Kos: Boat Tour to the Volcanic Island of Nisyros

Climb aboard at Kos for a boat tour to the fascinating volcanic island of Nisyros. Reach the picturesque harbor of the island after about an hour and discover the traditional way of life and authenticity of the island. The bus takes you up a winding road until you reach the largest accessible volcanic crater in Europe. On the way up you will see a rugged landscape with strange trees and shrubs on one side, while you enjoy the magnificent view of the sea and the surrounding islands on the other. Once at the top admire the view of the active volcano crater – four kilometers in diameter – and look out onto a unique lunar landscape. In the afternoon stroll through the narrow streets of the port of Mandraki, enjoy a traditional lunch in one of the many traditional tavernas or visit the famous monastery. Be enchanted by the magic of the island.

Top sights in Kos

Frequently asked questions about Kos

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What people are saying about Kos

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 5,057 reviews

Everything worked out perfectly. From the hotel transfer to the catamaran ride to Bodrum. We had a very nice tour guide who explained everything to us. You could have taken a tour of Bodrum Castle, but we didn't want that. I can only recommend it, Bodrum is very beautiful and if you want to go shopping, you are in good hands here and at a good price. Of course you have to act.

From young to old, there were many people on the boat, the atmosphere was exuberant and always great, which of course was due to the great crew! Lunch was delicious and the highlight of the day was definitely the last stop: jumping/sliding straight into the sea and swimming in the turquoise water. Huge recommendation for the tour

100% recommend had a great time on our boat trip was the best day of our holiday

A special trip to an interesting geological phenomenon. Fun for kids too.

Cheap efficient, on time but was a longer journey than expected.