City buzz, pine forests and beach vibes on the Greek island of Kos
Kos is the all-rounder of the Greek islands, offering active holidays and peaceful moments in nature. Johanna Oliveira from Aurinkomatkat, a subsidiary of Finnair, is familiar with Kos and shares her top tips for Blue Wings readers.
Johanna Oliveira works as Product and Contract Manager at Aurinkomatkat, responsible for Turkey and the smaller Greek islands, including Kos. The island is also close to her heart as a holiday destination – from late-1980s family trips to later girls’ holidays with her friends.
Kos is a mid-sized island in the Dodecanese group. It used to be known as a party island, but today it’s a calm, authentic and traditional destination.
“Kos is often overshadowed by bigger, better-known holiday islands like Crete and Rhodes, but it has just as much to offer: beautiful beaches, pine-covered hills and lively towns”, Johanna notes.
For Johanna, nature and beaches are the island’s highlights. But she’s equally fond of the charming villages, winding mountain roads, friendly locals and lovely tavernas. Kos truly has something for everyone.
“When it comes to accommodations, Kos has large resort hotels with water parks for families, but in recent years, high-quality five-star hotels for adults have also been built. In every resort village, you’ll still find the traditional family-run apartment hotels”, Johanna tells.
Each resort area offers something different, catering to many tastes.
“If a relaxing beach holiday is what you’re after, the areas of Tigaki and Marmari are the best choices. Kardamena, on the other hand, offers some small-scale nightlife in addition to its beaches”, Johanna says.
On your bike, or simply relax on the beach
Getting around Kos is easy by local bus or rental car, but cycling is the island’s speciality. Unlike other Greek islands, Kos Town has marked cycle paths and bike rental shops on every corner. From the centre, a beautiful coastal route runs towards Tigaki, the salt lake and the beach. Across the island, you’ll find cycling routes of varying lengths and levels, shaded by beaches and pine forests.
Active travellers can also enjoy hiking, horse riding and, of course, water sports.
“Surfing is popular on the north coast, for example, in Marmari, thanks to the winds. In smaller, more sheltered coves, the crystal-clear water is perfect for snorkelling”, Johanna says.
Naturally, beach life is one of Kos’s main attractions. The beaches and beach clubs are also among Johanna’s personal favourites. She recommends choosing your beach according to the wind direction, as it’s often breezy on Kos. The town beach is lovely, but for beach clubs, head to Lambi Beach.
“My own favourite, however, is Paradise Beach at the island’s southwest tip – especially Bubble Beach, where the volcanic seabed makes bubbles rise through the water. The best beach in the north is in Tigaki, with miles of white sand, plus plenty of facilities and activities”, Johanna reveals.
History, culture and local flavours
Like all Greek islands, Kos offers a lot for history lovers: castles, ruins, temple sites and the famous Hippocrates tree. Legend has it that Hippocrates himself taught medicine to his students under this very tree.
“In Kos Town, it’s wonderful to wander the narrow alleys of the old town, admire the Hippocrates tree and see the ruins of ancient Greek buildings. Around the bustling harbour, there’s life from morning till night: excursion boats and fishermen, but also restaurants and shops”, Johanna tells.
Those interested in culture and history should also take a boat trip to one of the nearby small islands, where you can see traditional local life. Pserimos, Nisyros, Kalymnos and even Bodrum on the Turkish coast can be reached quickly by ferry.
Kos’s own villages offer a laid-back atmosphere as well.
“Zia is famous for its sunsets and, thanks to TikTok, probably the most well-known village on the island. The nearby villages of Asfendiou or Pyli are quieter, while my personal favourite is Kefalos”, Johanna notes.
An essential part of any trip to Greece is, of course, the food, which is excellent on Kos. The volcanic soil provides fertile ground, so vegetables, wines and cheeses are superb. As a vegetarian, Johanna appreciates the local, fresh ingredients.
“You can visit wineries or join a cooking class on the island. Many have already tasted Saganaki – grilled feta cheese – but on Kos it’s wrapped in filo pastry, topped with honey and pine nuts. In the small village of Asklipion, Serif Tavern is a great spot, as is the Ali restaurant in Kos Town”, Johanna tells.
Coffee is a slow, relaxed affair on Kos, and Johanna encourages visitors to try the island’s cold coffee drinks: “A freddo espresso is the perfect way to start the day. It’s a double espresso, whipped and served over ice. Wonderfully refreshing!”
Timing your perfect escape
Finnair flies to Kos from early May to the end of October, and Johanna recommends choosing your travel time according to your preferences.
In May–June and October, the island is peaceful and the weather is pleasantly warm, but some services may be limited. From July to September, Kos is lively and everything is open, but the weather is very hot.
“Kos, however, is a wonderful island at any time of year”, Johanna sums up.