While much of the island is very commercial, attracting many people on package holidays, there are also parts of the island where the standard tourist does not travel. There are a number of quiet beaches, historic sights and beautiful mountains to explore, all of which are off the beaten track.
Must-sees include the 14th-century Castle of the Knights, the Asklipieion and the ancient archaeological site, the Agora. Once you have exhausted all of the sights, you will also find a wide range of activities available which include water sports, horse riding, hiking, cycling and of course sunbathing.
There is plenty to keep the children occupied and even more to keep the adults entertained. The busy resort of Kefalos Bay is home to a number of beaches as well as an abundance of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. It is where the young party into the early hours and where those who like seafood come to enjoy a good meal. Other places offering a good choice of restaurants include Kos Town and the harbour.
Accommodation options are plentiful and depending on your budget, you can either stay in a top five-star luxury resort or, if your budget won’t allow, you can opt for a much more modest establishment which is functional rather than extravagant. There are many midrange hotels located throughout the island and many guesthouses offering budget rooms and limited services.
When you arrive at the international airport, your hotel may have arranged free transfers to and from the hotel; however, if you are not lucky enough to have this luxury, you will find taxis available outside Arrivals and local buses on hand which offer comfortable services to the main resorts. When you are on the island, public transport options come in the form of local buses, which offer a cheap way to get around; taxis, offering a private and more comfortable way of travelling; the tourist train, which is more of a novelty and fairly expensive; and the hiring of cars and bicycles.
Kos experiences a mild, Mediterranean climate with most of the days of the year seeing some sun. Even during the winter months the skies are blue and the sea is warm enough to swim in. Summers can get very hot and often uncomfortable and despite being the peak season, temperatures often reach 40°C. Winters can get quite chilly at night so if you are travelling in hope of some winter sun, make sure you bring a couple of jumpers. Winter also sees the highest rainfall.
The best time to visit the island is in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn as the island is far less crowded, prices are cheaper and the weather is all round far more pleasant. There is virtually no rain, the sun shines every day and temperatures are bearable, in the high 20s and low 30s.
