Accommodation options in resorts on the island of Hippocrates are very well developed. Hotels offer rich accommodation and gastronomic facilities, while apartments, guest rooms, and private accommodations are quiet, peaceful, and free from the hustle and bustle of hotels. Each resort basically has access to every type of accommodation and a developed tourist infrastructure in the form of taverns, shops, vehicle rental offices, beach loungers, or night bars. Below, I will briefly describe what each region has to offer. If you’re planning a vacation on Kos, this will definitely help you make a choice. 😊
AGIOS FOKAS
This is the easternmost part of the island. There are only two hotels and one large beach bar (bearing the same name as the resort) here. It can be said that this is the quietest and smallest tourist region. The beaches here are gravel or rocky. The descent to the water is rather steep, and it quickly gets deep. The water may be cooler in some places – this is due to strong currents in this region (do not swim far out to sea). However, not far from here, there is a place where the water reaches even 40 degrees Celsius – these are the hot sulfur springs of Therma Beach (Embros), where you can spend time like in a natural spa. The occurrence of this phenomenon is related to the nearby Nissiros volcano and volcanic activity under the sea floor and the island of Kos. City buses number 1 and 5 pass through the region. The cost of a one-way taxi ride is about 10-15 EUR.
Hotels in Agios Fokas: Dimitra Beach, Michelangelo.
Recommended beach: Agios Fokas Beach, Therma Beach.
FOKALIA
A small agricultural village at the height of the town of Zipari. Often combined with the Tigaki resort, as it is located exactly between them. There are three popular hotels here, peace and quiet, and similar to Lambi (see below), you can get to the city by bike or city bus (green). The beach is rather narrow, sandy-gravel. In terms of infrastructure, there are few shops here, but the hotels supply their guests with all the necessary tourist articles. You can ride a bike to Tigaki where there is a much wider selection.
Hotels: Labranda Marine Park, Astir Odysseas, Aeolos.
KARDAMENA
Once a very loud area known for its many clubs and mainly attracting young people. Today, it is a lively place for everyone. Many establishments located by the sea offer fresh seafood and fish. You will find taverns, restaurants, stylish cafes, and places to dance outdoors accompanied by cocktails. Among the streets, there are also many souvenir shops, clothing stores, and tourist accessories. Nearby hotels are large resorts that live their own lives and are modern seaside towns. Local buses run to the town center (ticket about 2 euros), and you can get here directly from Kos, Mastichari, or the airport by direct bus from the KTEL Station (costs 3.50 EUR one way from Kos town).
Sandy-gravel beaches attract many tourists to the same place year after year. A large part of the beaches is not developed. It is worth taking advantage of the local beach bars Atlantis and Malibu (full sun lounger service, a free lounger with the purchase of a drink, safe and convenient access to the sea, sand). Between these two places is an undeveloped sandy beach with a sandy, gentle entrance to the sea – very often chosen by local families with small children. The view from the Kardamena beaches can be surprising on clear days – you can always see Turkey from here (near ancient Knidos), Nissiros, and Tilos on the horizon, and sometimes even the island of Rhodes!
Popular hotels in the area: Mitsis World town (4 properties), Atlantica chain (6 properties), Mikri Poli, Maya Resort, Akti Beach, Kalimera Mare.
KEFALOS
The furthest westward resort on Kos. A very quiet area, largely visited by Britons and Italians. It is characterized by rather small apartments and hotels. Here you will also find the beautiful Kastri islet located a stone’s throw from the beach. Sandy-gravel beaches, a large variety of water sports, dining facilities, and car rentals. In these areas (Kochylari beach), you can learn kitesurfing thanks to the school operating there. The conditions are ideal for this sport – it is relatively shallow, and in the summer, the wind always blows from the north. Additionally, to the east, there are the most beautiful and wide sandy beaches of Paradise (6.5 kilometers). There are a few hard-to-reach places on the Kefalos peninsula (even a 4km gravel road). The beaches there are equipped with sun loungers but do not have water or toilets. The water is usually rough in the summer. Everyone will find something for themselves. The accommodation offer in the area is still developing, but it focuses more on smaller facilities. There are only two larger facilities here. In gastronomy and tourist places, there is a wide selection in the summer – you can eat homemade moussaka or pizza on fresh yeast dough.
You can rent jet skis, scooters, and windsurfing boards here – the conditions for water sports are perfect because in the summer, the wind mainly blows from the north, making the sea calm almost everywhere in Kefalos Bay.
Popular hotels: Zeus, IKos Aria, Royal Bay
Recommended beaches: St. Stephen (Ag. Stefanos), Paradise, Kochylari, Ag. Theologoi, Cavo Paradiso.Â
KOS
The capital of the island of Kos – itself is also a tourist resort. This is where the most action happens, and this is where the first hotel on the island was built over 100 years ago, making the city the first local resort. In the city, there are many small and medium-sized hotels as well as a whole range of apartments and private accommodations of various standards. It’s easy to find something perfect for yourself. Additionally, the gastronomic offer and infrastructure allow you to spend time on the streets of the charming town in a different way every day – whether by tasting local specialties or strolling through open archaeological sites in search of the past. You will also find well-developed urban beaches here (areas around the height of Averof Street behind the Kosta Palace Hotel). In the evenings, we recommend strolls through the narrow, bustling streets, and for those who like to dance, you will also find many opportunities and places to let loose.
Popular hotels: Philipion, Kos Bay, Koala, Kosta Palace, Blue Lagoon City
Recommended beaches: city beach on Averof Street.
LAMBI
Lambi is a resort located directly next to the capital of the island – Kos (from the north side). There are plenty of medium-sized hotels, apartments, and private accommodations here. The region has many designated bike paths, and within a few minutes of leaving the city, you can already sit down at a table and order a frozen coffee. A bike is honestly the best means of transportation in this area. It’s flat everywhere (you can easily ride it all the way to Tigaki), the sandy beaches are well developed. Sun loungers are paid – around 5 euros. The beaches in the northern part of the region are generally much narrower than those on the city side. There are remnants of old road infrastructure, stones, and dunes in some places. However, the water is clean and inviting for a swim. There is a beautiful view of Turkey from here (a distance of just over 5 kilometers). City buses number 2 regularly run through the area (starting from around Fokalia).
Popular hotels in Lambi: Apollon, Atlantis, Blue Lagoon Resort, Lambi Resort, Pelagos Suites.
MARMARI
A resort known for its beautiful, clean sandy beaches with a beautiful view of the turquoise-blue sea and the islands of Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Plati. Medium and large hotels with access to the sea and private beaches. The coastline itself is dune-like. On windy days, the waves can be high, but even then, the descent into the water is gentle in these areas. The water is warm and clean. It is rather a small tourist town with a few dining and shopping establishments concentrated along the street connecting the seaside areas with the main Kos-Kefalos road. You will also find many stalls with fresh fruits (melons, watermelons) that grow in nearby fields. Horse riding enthusiasts will also find an opportunity here for rides along the beach at sunset. And sunsets in these areas are beautiful.
Popular hotels: Roselands, Caravia Beach, Thalassea, Marebello, Sandy Beach, Holiday Village.
Popular beaches: beach in the center of the seaside part of the town, Golden Beach
MASTICHARI
Located west of Marmari, the resort is also known for its beautiful beaches. There is a port here from which ferries depart to Kalymnos. Large hotels are located far from the center of the very small town, which, despite appearances, is lively and rich in taverns serving fresh seafood, bars and pubs with delicious drinks and music. Sandy beaches, very good conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing. In the western part of the resort, the beaches are located by dune cliffs.
Popular hotels: Gaia Royal, Marmari Palace, Achilleas, Ammos, Kouros Palace.
Recommended beaches: Dolphin Bay, Kouros Bay, Tam Tam, Troulos Bay.Â
PSALIDI
The easternmost resort with a beautiful view of Turkey with the town of Bodrum. Very close to the resort, there are popular hot sulfur springs. Hotels are large and huge. Located on a hill or on the waterfront. Gravel beaches, the sea can be quite deep in some places. Rather poor in souvenir shops and dining establishments, although part of the resort in the Paradisi area (closer to the city) already offers much more in this regard – from family taverns to exclusive restaurants. Here you will also find many private accommodations and apartments. High on the hill is also the Aegean View hotel, which has a phenomenal view of the eastern part of the island of Kos. It is located very close to the city (taxi about 8 euros, city bus about 2.50 euros). You can take advantage of the wide street while riding a bike towards the city.
Popular hotels: Kipriotis (4 properties), Oceanis Blue, Blue Lagoon Ocean, Grecotel Imperial, Alexandra Beach, Mitsis Ramira
Recommended beaches: Theodorou Beach, Psalidi Beach, Paradiso BeachÂ
TIGAKI
One of the most popular resorts on Kos. Rich gastronomic and tourist offer: souvenir shops, travel agencies, and car rentals. Hotels are of medium size, beaches are sandy and wide, considered some of the most beautiful on the island. In the vicinity, there is also an old salt lake, where you can go for a walk (in early or late summer, the area may be wet). Happy owners of drones or cameras with a large zoom lens have a chance to photograph wild flocks of pelicans, black storks, and flamingos (although gray ones). This resort is suitable for everyone. Those looking for secluded places can find them on the beaches near the lake (some of them are popular among naturists), and those who like easy access to refreshing drinks or water sports will find their favorite loungers in the part adjacent to the resort.
Popular hotels: Zorba’s Beach, Blue Nest, Sunny Days, Utopia Blue, Gaia Village, Tigaki Star, Tigaki Beach
Recommended beaches: Happy Flamingo Beach, Tigaki Beach
We hope that this post has helped you make a decision about choosing a tourist resort on Kos. We wish you the BEST holiday!!Â
