Kos, Greece: the complete guide – sights, beaches and boat trips (2026)
A Dodecanese beach island with history, cycling and boat trips. What to see, where to swim, how to get there from Israel and what about kosher food.
- Main sights: the Asklepieion, Hippocrates' tree, the Knights' castle and the Agora.
- Beaches: Tigaki and Marmari in the north, Paradise in the south, Agios Stefanos in the west.
- In summer 2026 Bluebird flew direct to Kos; there is no Chabad on the island.
Kos suits a simple, easy beach holiday, including with children. In summer you fly direct; out of season via Athens. Kosher travellers need to plan ahead.
Why Kos?
Kos is a Dodecanese island just off the Turkish coast, with long sandy beaches, a warm climate, many all-inclusive hotels and flat terrain that is easy to cycle. It was one of the first Aegean islands to draw mass tourism, back in the 1930s. It suits families, couples and anyone after a simple beach holiday with some history.
What to see in Kos
- The Asklepieion: the ancient healing sanctuary about 4 km south of Kos Town, with views over the town and sea. The island's most important historic site.
- Hippocrates' Plane Tree: in the harbour area of Kos Town. Tradition says the father of medicine taught in its shade.
- Castle of the Knights (Neratzia): overlooking the harbour.
- Ancient Agora: in the town centre.
- Inland: the mountain village of Zia, the castles of Antimachia and Kefalos, hot springs and nature reserves.
The best beaches in Kos
| Beach | Where | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Tigaki and Marmari | north | sandy, shallow, good for families and windsurfing |
| Paradise and Bubble Beach | south, near Kardamena | lovely sandy bay |
| Agios Stefanos | west, Kefalos Bay | early Christian ruins on the sand; called the island's finest beach |
According to Athens Glance (2026). For the western beaches a car is best.
Getting around Kos
Kos is fairly flat, so cycling is a real option: there are bike paths and plenty of rentals. There are local buses too. For the Kefalos area in the west, rent a car: car rental in Greece.
Boat trips from Kos
- Bodrum (Turkey): about 30 minutes, daily in season. Israelis: check the travel warnings for Turkey and entry requirements first.
- Nisyros: about 1.5 hours, a volcanic island whose crater you can walk into.
- Patmos and Rhodes: about 2.5 hours.
- From Piraeus: an overnight ferry of 10–12 hours.
When to go to Kos
May–June and September–October: good weather, fewer crowds and lower prices. July–August are the hottest and busiest.
Getting to Kos from Israel
In summer 2026 Bluebird flew direct to Kos, according to the summer announcements. Out of season, fly to Athens and continue by domestic flight (about 45–50 minutes) or ferry. See Greek islands with direct flights from Israel.
Kosher and Shabbat in Kos
We found no Chabad house or kosher restaurant in Kos. The nearest Chabad is in Rhodes. You can order kosher products from e-kosher.gr, which ships to the islands. Candle-lighting times on Shabbat times & kosher in Greece.
FAQ
What is there to do in Kos? Visit the Asklepieion, Hippocrates' tree and the castle, drive up to Zia, and relax at beaches like Tigaki and Agios Stefanos.
Is there a direct flight to Kos from Israel? In summer 2026 Bluebird flew direct to Kos. The rest of the year you fly via Athens.
Can I go from Kos to Bodrum? Yes, about 30 minutes by boat. Israelis should first check travel warnings and entry rules for Turkey.
Is there kosher food in Kos? We found none. The nearest is Chabad of Rhodes, and e-kosher.gr delivers.
