• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-140237138569
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "greece/dodecanese/kos",
  "destination": "Kos",
  "title": "kos",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Mediterranean-Europe",
  "country": "Greece",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Kos

Greece

Greece Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Ruins on island of Agios Stefanos.

Matt Munro

Overview

Fringed by the finest beaches in the Dodecanese, dwarfed beneath mighty crags, and blessed with lush valleys, Kos is an island of endless treasures. Visitors soon become blasé at sidestepping the millennia-old Corinthian columns that poke through the rampant wildflowers – even in Kos Town, the lively capital, ancient Greek ruins are scattered everywhere you turn, and a mighty medieval castle still watches over the harbour.

Meet your new travel partner

Stay connected in Kos

Get unlimited data while you travel with Holafly eSIM. Peace of mind and no hidden fees wherever you go.

LEARN MORE

Take your Greece trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Dreams of Greece: 12 Days in Athens and the Cycladic Islands

highlights

  1. 1Adventuring through antiquity on a guided visit to the relics and ruins of the Acropolis
  2. 2Cruising on a catamaran to the saturated blue waters of Galazia Nera
  3. 3Witnessing an ethereal Naxos sunset from the iconic Portara gate
from $3,750

per person

book this tripsee trip details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-826976669145
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "greece/dodecanese/kos",
  "destination": "Kos",
  "title": "kos",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Mediterranean-Europe",
  "country": "Greece",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

From beaches to ruins to inland adventures, here are the best things to see and do on the the Dodecanese island of Kos.

Read full article
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-16185516707
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "greece/dodecanese/kos",
  "destination": "Kos",
  "title": "kos",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Mediterranean-Europe",
  "country": "Greece",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Kos

Kos and beyond

View all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-443548279865
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "greece/dodecanese/kos",
  "destination": "Kos",
  "title": "kos",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Mediterranean-Europe",
  "country": "Greece",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}