white and blue boat on sea during daytime

Kos

Kos is a Dodecanese island known as the island of Hippocrates, with the Asklepieion healing sanctuary, a Knights' castle, beaches and many cycling routes.

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Kos is a Greek island in the Dodecanese, in the southeastern Aegean Sea, and the third largest of those islands after Rhodes and Karpathos. Kos town is the capital and main port. The island is known as the island of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. The Plane Tree of Hippocrates stands in the town centre and is traditionally said to be where he taught. About 4 km from town, the Asklepieion, an ancient healing sanctuary, lies in a cypress grove, and only foundations and some columns survive. The Castle of the Knights stands on the right side of the harbour.

Beaches and tourism are the island's main attraction and industry. Tigaki, Marmari, Kamari and Cavo Paradiso are among the notable beaches, and Kos has many cycling routes. For the sights, Kos town keeps the Plane Tree, the castle and the museums close together. For beaches and bars, Kardamena is a seaside resort popular with young holidaymakers, mainly from the UK and Scandinavia.

Kos in five

Cycle the north coast instead of renting a carCycle paths run along much of the flat north coast, and bike hire is common in Kos Town. A car or scooter only matters for the hilly south and the far west.
Bring your passport for the Bodrum ferryBoats to Bodrum cross an external Schengen border, with checks at both ports. Non-EU visitors are checked back into Schengen on return under the EES, so leave margin before a flight.EES explained
Go to the Asklepieion in the morningThe ancient healing sanctuary stands on terraces a few kilometers from town, with little shade. Go early, wear a hat and check opening times with the Greek culture ministry before you set off.
Match your base to your beachKos Town has sights and nightlife, Tigaki has flat sand and bike paths, Kardamena is a busy party resort and Kefalos is quiet with wind for kitesurfers.Kos Town
Book the Nisyros boat for a calm dayExcursion boats to the volcano island leave from several ports and can be canceled in strong summer wind. Take the early sailing and keep a spare day.Dodecanese

Things to do in Kos

See all attractions in Kos

Historic site · KosAncient Agora of Kos

Beach · KosParadise beach

Historic site · KosSanctuary of Hercules

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to KosPut the places you like in Kos on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Kos Hippocrates (KGS), about 25 km west of Kos Town; many charter flights
Getting there: Flights from Athens and Europe; ferries from Piraeus, Rhodes and nearby islands
Getting around: Bike on the north coast; buses, taxis, scooters or a rental car
Best base: Kos Town for services; Tigaki or Kardamena for beaches
Time needed: 4–7 days; add boat days to Nisyros or Kalymnos

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low12°Cool, quiet
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low12°Cool, quiet
MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low13°Spring walks
AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh18°Low15°Easter, mild
MayClear4 rainy daysHigh21°Low18°Warm, beaches
JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low22°Hot, sea warm
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Hot, meltemi
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Hot, peak
SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low23°Warm, calm
OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh22°Low20°Mild, quieter
NovemberClear8 rainy daysHigh19°Low17°Rain, closing
DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low14°Mild, wet

Average daily high and low in Kos Town, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Kos

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 18°
Humidity: 77%
Wind: 18 km/h
Chance of rain: 80%

Kos Town

10:46 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today20°19°80%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 80%.
Tue20°19°63%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 63%.
Wed21°18°50%Wednesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 50%.
Thu20°16°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri17°14°0%Friday: Clear. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat18°14°0%Saturday: Clear. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun18°14°0%Sunday: Clear. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 07:32 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Nisyrosabout 1 hour by excursion boatA volcanic crater you can walk into, with a small village above the harbor.
Bodrum, Turkeyabout 30 min by passenger ferryCastle, markets and bays across the border; carry your passport.
Kalymnosabout 40 min by ferry from MastichariA sponge-diving island known for rock climbing.

Before you go to Kos

Car or scooter on KosThe south and west are spread outCompare car hire

Nisyros and Bodrum boat tripsVolcano walks and a day in TurkeyCompare tours

eSIM for KosData for ferry apps and bus timesRead the guide

Insurance for KosCover for scooters and canceled boatsRead the guide

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Rules for Kos, checked

Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly or sail.Source
Non-EU visitors may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's current EES guidance before you travel.
Cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries, and take off your shoes before you enter the mosque in Kos town.
Before you rent a scooter or car, check that your driving licence is valid in Greece and that the rental includes a helmet and insurance.

Plan around Kos

Kos Town

Castle, harbor, Asklepieion and the Bodrum boat

Read the guide All of Greece

Entry rules, ferries and island planning

Read the guide Dodecanese

Island chain from Kos to Rhodes

Read the guide Rhodes

Bigger neighbor with a medieval old town

Read the guide Tourist taxes in Europe

What hotels add at checkout

Read the guide EES explained

Border checks on the Bodrum return

Read the guide

Kos FAQ

How many days do you need in Kos?

Four to five days covers Kos Town, the Asklepieion, two or three beaches and one boat trip. A week adds Nisyros, Kalymnos and the quiet southwest without hurrying.

Where is the best place to stay in Kos?

Kos Town for sights, ferries and nightlife, Tigaki for flat sand and cycling, Kardamena for a busy resort and Kefalos for quiet beaches and wind. Pick the beach before the hotel.

Can you visit Turkey from Kos for a day?

Yes, passenger ferries run from Kos Town to Bodrum, about 30 minutes each way in season. Carry your passport and check Turkish entry rules for your nationality before you book.

Is Kos or Rhodes better?

Rhodes is bigger, with a medieval old town and Lindos, and needs more driving. Kos is flatter, easier by bike and cheaper for a simple beach week. Choose Rhodes for history, Kos for beaches.

Do you need a car in Kos?

Not on the north coast, where bikes, buses and taxis cover Kos Town and Tigaki. Rent a car or scooter for the southwest, mountain villages and remote beaches.