Greek Summer Holiday: Kos Island

Kos is a gorgeous island in the Dodecanese, where ancient history meets golden beaches, vibrant villages, and a laid-back Mediterranean vibe. 

A couple of summers ago, we took a family holiday to Corfu and loved every minute of it. Wanting to explore a different part of Greece, we settled on the Dodecanese islands in particular Kos. For ten days, we savored Kos’ delightful blend of ancient history, vibrant culture, and seaside charm. For the first three nights, we stayed in a seafront serviced apartment in Kos Town as an easy base for nearby excursions. Here are some things to do and explore whilst in Kos Town. 

Kos Old Town

Compact and pedestrianised with historic architecture, Kos Old Town stretches from Eleftheria Square to Diagoras Square. Lively cafes, restaurants and artisan shops (olive wood crafts and evil eye bracelets)  lined the seafront promenade along with the unmissable “I Love Kos” sign. Kos Old Town blends ancient ruins spanning from Ottoman-era mosques to Italian-era buildings, reflecting Kos’ layered history. Walking around the cobbled-stone streets, you cannot miss Hippocrates Plane Tree,  Casa Romana, Altar of Dionyus, Ancient Agora of Kos, or Nerantzia Castle. 

Walk the Seafront Promenade 

I love going on sunrise runs on holidays. The 2km stretch from Kos Marina to Kos Port is a perfect length to get your heartrate up. All whilst enjoying the calmness of the Aegean Sea at dawn. Like the Kos Harbour, Vasileos Georigou V is lined with small boutique hotels and serviced apartments, cafes and restaurants. Some even have tables right on the beach for the ultimate alfresco dining Mediterranean-style. Even if you’re not a runner, this promenade is perfect for a post-dinner walk. 

Yummy Greek Cuisine

We love eating at local eateries and trying new dishes. Greek cuisine has a strong emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients and simple preparation that lets flavors shine. Olive oil is used liberally as are various herbs such as oregano, thyme, mint, and of course lemon. At traditional Greek tavernas, you can always find the classics: mezzes, souvlaki and gyros, moussaka and baklava. 

Our favourite meal in Kos Old Town is Elia, which sits in a restored 1890s building full of character. The food was delicious – authentic Greek flavours in a cozy atmosphere. Family-run restaurant, Mom’s Kitchen, was a hidden gem adjacent to the Sanctuary of Aphrodite. Under the shady archway, enjoy traditional Greek dishes and a cold drink. 

3 Islands Boat Tour

The  full-day 3-Island Tour is a popular excursion from Kos for laid-back Mediterranean vibes on the sparkling Aegean Sea. On board Barco de Pirata, the captain took us to Pserimos, a tiny island with soft white sand and shallow turquoise water, perfect for swimming. Then back on the boat, a typical BBQ lunch of grilled souvlaki, salad, and bread awaited us as we sailed to the next stop: Kalymnos. But first, the captain took us to a popular dolphin spot where we saw a few dolphins jumping around. A fisherman’s village, Kalymnos is known for sponge diving with a picturesque Greek Orthodox church. The final stop is to the uninhabited island of Plati for more swimming fun. A relaxed day at sea with wind in your hair and a chance to see the lesser known Dodecanese island. 

Day Trip to Bodrum

Only a quick 30 minute ferry ride from Kos, we did a day trip to Bodrum for a dose of Turkish culture. The majestic Bodrum Castle awaits us as the ferry pulls into the port. After a quick walk around the harbour and a few photos of the “Bodrum 2025” sign, we made a beeline to Otantik Ocakbaşı, a Michelin Bib Gourmand, where we sat in the covered alleyway. Here we ordered everything from authentic Turkish kebabs, mixed grills, and pide and enjoyed the local vibes. Bodrum Bazaar is worth spending some time to soak up the atmosphere and purchase goodies such as Turkish coffee and Turkish delight. We had refreshments at Mahfel Cafe with great views of Bodrum Castle before heading back to Kos. 

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After a few days of exploring Kos, nearby islands, and even neighboring countries, we took a short taxi to Pelagos Hotel & Spa for a weeklong stay focusing on rest and relaxation.