Looking for inspiration on where to go for your next vacation in Greece? I have prepared 5 tips for you on our favorite trips on the island of Kos, which impressed us the most during our autumn vacation. I will also share with you 2 resorts where we stayed during our trip.
Kos Greece
I planned our vacation, as always, at the last minute. This meant that we bought tickets from Vienna 3 days before departure for a bargain price of about 2,000 CZK/person. We flew there with Condor and back with Ryanair. We also took advantage of special, off-season, accommodation offers. Let yourself be inspired by trips on the island of Kos:
Trips on the island of Kos – Paralia Paradisos / Dovolenkářka
Island of Kos
The island of Kos, which can be found not far from the coast of Turkey, is truly a treasure of the Greek Dodecanese archipelago. It is an ideal destination for vacationers who long for a combination of history, beautiful nature, Greek gastronomy and relaxation by the sea. This picturesque island is known not only for its wild beaches (which really took our breath away) and crystal clear waters, but also for its rich history dating back to antiquity.
It was here that Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, was born, making Kos a place where history intertwines with the present. For lovers of monuments, there are ruins of ancient temples, Roman baths or a medieval fortress guarding the port of the capital city of Kos.
> SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION – KOS ISLAND <
Kastri Island with a church / Dovolenkářka
However, trips on the island of Kos are not just about monuments. Vacationers, like us, come here every year also for the charming landscape full of olive groves, traditional villages and ubiquitous natural wonders. While exploring the island, you can enjoy the local gastronomy, dominated by fresh seafood, Greek yogurts and cheeses, aromatic herbs and Greek olive oil, which you will enjoy in every dish you taste here.
Whether you are looking for an active vacation full of trips and hikes, or prefer lounging on the beach with a drink in hand, Kos offers everything you need for an ideal vacation.
Accommodation on the island of Kos
We went to the island of Kos in three, together with my vacationer and my sister. So I was looking for nice accommodation for 3 adults, ideally with 2 bedrooms and at least with breakfast. In the end, I managed to book 2 luxury resorts with half board as part of a last minute deal, in the Genius program on Booking.com. The first in the southern part of the island, the second in the north of Kos.
- Nice resort on a hill above an average beach, which requires crossing the road
- Several swimming pools in the resort with free sunbeds, day bars and restaurants
- I chose the resort because of the large room with 2 bedrooms, with a terrace and sea view from the first floor
- Pleasant half board in a two-story restaurant in the main building, on a hill near the reception for a super last minute price
- The resort is within walking distance of the town of Kardamena, which we reached in about half an hour
- Kardamena is ideal for evening walks, souvenir shopping and visiting a bar for a drink
>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION <<
Grand Blue Beach Hotel
Grand Blue Beach Hotel
- I dare say that this is one of the best resorts on the island of Kos
- Its extent resembles a separate village and you can decide in which part you will stay when choosing a room
- The quality and variety of half board was higher than in the first accommodation, a different Live Cooking Show every evening / A large selection of quality food for breakfast and dinner
- Possibility to book themed restaurants – not included in the half board
- Possibility to sit for breakfast and dinner in the outdoor elegant Adults Only part of the restaurant
- Beautiful private beach directly within the resort with a sunbathing lawn
- Free basic sunbeds with umbrellas as part of the accommodation, access to several swimming pools
- Balinese beds on the beach for a fee upon reservation
- and last but not least, beautiful and well-maintained gardens throughout the resort
>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION <<
View of our Junior Suite for 3 adults
Neptune Luxury Resort
What to do and see on the island of Kos
During the last week of September, when we traveled the island of Kos far and wide and stayed in 2 different resorts, we fell in love with several beaches, cities and historical sites. I have selected five of them for you, which I would definitely not miss among the trips on the island of Kos.
For traveling around the island, we had a higher car with 4×4 rented for the entire stay, so that we could drive to and from the airport and, above all, get without problems to the less accessible, wild beaches in the east of the island. Having 4×4 is not a necessity, but you will definitely drive to the wild beaches more safely.
Paralia Thermes
The thermal beach Paralia Thermes on the island of Kos is one of the favorite trips that offers visitors a unique experience and relaxation on the beach and in hot, natural pools. The beach, which is located about 12 kilometers southeast of the capital, boasts these natural hot springs, which spring from the underground directly into the sea.
The water rich in minerals here reaches a temperature of up to 40 °C and creates the mentioned natural thermal pools, where you can enjoy a bath directly under the open sky, of course with other visitors to the beach, of which there were not exactly few even at the end of September. In any case, even that did not spoil our experience from Paralia Thermes.
No wonder that this contrast between the hot water of the springs and the refreshing cooler water of the Aegean Sea attracts vacationers from practically all over the world.
The surrounding scenery also adds to the attractiveness of Paralia Thermes – the steep cliffs surrounding the beach create an impressive and isolated impression. Since the beach is more or less stony, I recommend having suitable shoes.
From the parking lot at the kiosk it is about 15 minutes walk downhill to the beach and then back uphill. However, the picturesque environment and the healing effects of the thermal springs are definitely worth a few minutes of hiking. After bathing in the thermal waters, you can relax on the stony beach and enjoy the view of the sea.
Asklepion
Asklepion on the island of Kos is one of the most important archaeological sites of ancient Greece and represents a fascinating combination of history, medicine and religion. This monumental complex, dedicated to the god of medicine Asklepios, was considered in antiquity to be an important center of medical learning, where the famous physician Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine, also worked.
If you go here, just like us, you will be able to walk among the remains of temples, healing buildings and terraced spaces that were once designed for healing stays. Asklepion is not only a tourist attraction, but also a place of deep spiritual significance, where body and soul have been healed for centuries.
For travelers who are interested in combining cultural knowledge and the beauty of nature, Asklepion is an ideal destination. The complex is located on an elevated place with a wonderful view of the surrounding landscape and the sea, which creates an ideal environment for contemplating the connection between man and nature, which was key to ancient medicine.
What can we say, we should include many of these ideas in our lives even today. In addition, there is a museum nearby where you can see archaeological artifacts and learn more about the healing methods used in ancient times. Asklepion on Kos is a place that inspires reflection on the history of medicine and the development of human health care.
Personally, we visited Asklépion during a holiday, so admission was free. On other visiting days, the admission fee and opening hours are as follows:
In 2024, admission to the Asklepion on the island of Kos costs 8 EUR per person. If you are planning a visit, it is good to know that the complex is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00, with the last entry at 16:30, so that visitors have enough time to explore this historical site
Beaches of Agios Stefanos and Kefalos with the island and the church
Directly opposite the beach is the small island of Kastri with the iconic white church of St. Nicholas, which completes the picturesque view. This church, set in the rocky landscape of the island, is a popular destination for short boat trips or even for skilled swimmers, or at low tide for hikers (carefully assess your physical strength to get back in time), who are looking for adventure.
Agios Stefanos thus offers not only swimming in crystal clear waters, but also the opportunity to immerse yourself in history and experience the magical atmosphere of the connection between natural beauty and ancient monuments.
We were lucky that at the end of September this breathtaking place was half empty. Before the visit, I saw photos from the main summer season, which, on the contrary, would discourage me from visiting. Therefore, if you also prefer peace and quiet to the tourist rush, I recommend visiting the island at the beginning or at the end of the season. Nearby, on the other side, is the popular Kefalos beach, which can also be reached by a coastal walk.
Agios Theologos Beach
Agios Theologos beach on the island of Kos is an ideal place for us vacationers looking for peace, wild nature and beautiful sunsets. This secluded beach in the southwest of the island offers a rugged coastline with waves, making it especially suitable for surfers or those who want to escape the tourist crowds.
Access to the beach is easy, you can drive to the parking lot, from where it is only a few minutes walk. If you want to find your own beach, just walk a few hundred meters to a kilometer along the coast and I believe that outside the main holiday season you will find a nice beach corner just for you, just like we found it here, with my vacationer and my sister.
Once you get hungry, there is the Agios Theologos Taverna restaurant near the parking lot, known for its fresh fish and traditional Greek dishes. With a view of the sea, you can relax here after a day spent on the beach and enjoy the atmosphere created by the untouched nature and the peaceful surroundings.
In good weather and the right waves, surfing lessons are offered here. Likewise, experienced surfers can rent the board itself for a fee. Near the surfing school – rental shop, sunbeds with umbrellas could also be rented. I won’t tell you the price, because we found our secluded beach without sunbeds.
Paralia Paradisos Beach
Paralia Paradisos beach on the island of Kos is a small paradise on earth for those vacationers who are looking for a quiet and less crowded place to relax. Personally, we rated this beach as the most beautiful on the island of Kos and I believe that we will return to it again sometime.
The road to this beach leads through an inconspicuous turn off the main road and is accessible by car, with the last section being slightly uneven, but easily passable with 4×4. The beach is stony in places, but mostly you will be pleased with fine sand and turquoise blue sea, which makes it an ideal place for swimming and, according to locals, also for snorkeling.
Kos – Paralia Paradisos / Dovolenkářka
During our visit, there was a makeshift bar where you could order drinks and a few snacks. Paralia Paradisos is a perfect destination for travelers who appreciate natural beauty without crowds of tourists. At the end of September, we found our own piece of beach, right at the very end. You won’t find much shade here, we created a shelter from branches and a scarf.
Do you like my tips for trips and vacations? You will make me happy if you follow us
Asklépion on the island of Kos / Dovolenkářka
You might also be interested in:
