Kos Island, Greece: Where It Is, How to Get There, What to Do

Kos is a Greek island in the Dodecanese, lying just off the Turkish coast opposite Bodrum. From the harbour in Bodrum you can see its mountains on a clear day, and from Kos Town the white houses of Bodrum are on the horizon. That closeness is what makes Kos special: it is one of the easiest Greek islands to reach from Turkey, and one of the most natural places to start or end a two-country cruise.

Short answer: Kos belongs to Greece and sits in the south-eastern Aegean, across a narrow strait from Turkey's Bodrum peninsula. You can reach it by plane (Kos International Airport, KGS), by ferry from Bodrum, Rhodes or Piraeus, or on a private yacht or gulet that crosses from Bodrum with the crew handling the border paperwork. For a week on the water, see our Blue Voyage routes around Kos.

Where Is Kos?

Kos is part of the Dodecanese island group, administratively in Greece's South Aegean region. It is a long, narrow island stretching roughly from north-east to south-west, and it is the third-largest Dodecanese island after Rhodes and Karpathos.

Its north-eastern tip, where Kos Town stands, faces the Bodrum peninsula across a strait only a few nautical miles wide at its narrowest point. Neighbouring islands are close too: Pserimos and Kalymnos to the north-west, Nisyros to the south-west, and Leros and Patmos further north.

The landscape is gentler than on many Dodecanese islands. A mountain ridge (Dikeos) runs along the east of the island, while much of the north and centre is flat farmland edged with long sandy beaches. That flatness is why Kos is one of the few Greek islands where cycling is a genuinely practical way to get around.

How to Get to Kos

By air

Kos International Airport "Hippocrates" (KGS) is in the middle of the island, near the village of Antimachia, about 24 km from Kos Town, roughly a 30- to 40-minute drive. In summer it receives direct flights from many UK and German airports; in winter, connections usually go via Athens.

By ferry from Bodrum

The Bodrum–Kos crossing is one of the shortest international ferry routes in the Aegean. Passenger ferries and fast boats run daily in the summer season; the crossing takes about 20 to 40 minutes on the fast boats, and the two harbours are roughly 10 nautical miles apart. Services thin out in winter, so always check the current timetable before planning a day trip. If you are spending a few days on the Turkish side as well, have a look at our Bodrum travel guide.

Remember that you are crossing an external Schengen border. EU citizens need a valid passport or national ID card. Travellers from outside the EU should check the current Schengen entry requirements before booking, including the new Entry/Exit System. Turkish citizens can currently obtain a seven-day express visa on arrival at the port of Kos; the scheme covers twelve Aegean islands and has been renewed until April 2027. Rules change, so check the current conditions before you travel.

By ferry from other Greek islands and Piraeus

Kos is on the main Dodecanese ferry line, so it is connected with Rhodes, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos and Nisyros, and with Piraeus (Athens) on longer overnight or day routes. Small local ferries also run from the port of Mastichari on the north coast to Kalymnos and Pserimos.

By yacht or gulet from Bodrum

On a private charter starting in Bodrum, Kos is the classic first stop in Greece. The two harbours are only about 10 nautical miles apart, so the crossing fits easily into a morning. The crew clears the boat and your passports out of Turkey in Bodrum and into Greece at Kos, which is an official port of entry. Rules on where guests may board and leave differ depending on the boat's flag, so your charter manager will confirm which arrangement applies to your yacht before you book.

Things to Do in Kos

Kos Town: castle, plane tree and ruins

Kos Town is compact and best explored on foot or by bike. Its harbour is guarded by the Castle of the Knights (Neratzia), built by the Knights of St John who also held Rhodes and Bodrum. Right next to it stands the famous plane tree of Hippocrates: tradition says the father of medicine taught his students in its shade. The tree you see today is very old, but not as old as Hippocrates himself.

Ancient Kos is not hidden away in a single site; it is scattered through the modern town. The Ancient Agora sits behind the harbour, while the Western Archaeological Site has Roman streets, mosaics and a restored gymnasium colonnade. The small Roman Odeon and the reconstructed Roman villa known as Casa Romana are a few minutes' walk away.

The Asklepion

A few kilometres outside town, on a hillside with views across to Turkey, lies the Asklepion, a healing sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. It was built on terraces in several phases from the 4th century BC onwards. Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon in summer: there is little shade, and the light over the strait is at its best then.

Villages: Zia, Kefalos and Antimachia

Zia, on the slopes of Mount Dikeos, is the island's sunset spot, with tavernas on terraces looking west across the plain to the sea. Kefalos, on the south-western tip, feels more like a village than a resort and overlooks the wide bay of Kamari. Antimachia, near the airport, has a hilltop fortress built by the Knights of St John and a restored windmill.

Beaches

Kos has more sandy beaches than most Dodecanese islands. A quick orientation:

• North coast (Tigaki, Marmari, Mastichari): long, shallow sandy beaches. In July and August the northerly meltemi wind makes them breezy, which is why windsurfers and kitesurfers love them.
• South coast (Kardamena, Paradise Beach, Agios Stefanos): more sheltered from the north wind. Agios Stefanos is known for the ruins of an early Christian basilica on the beach and the tiny islet of Kastri just offshore.
• Therma (Embros Thermes): on the south-east coast, natural hot springs run into the sea between rocks, so you can sit in warm water with the cool Aegean a few steps away.

Day trips from Kos

From Kos Town, Mastichari and Kardamena you can take day boats to Kalymnos (sponge-diving heritage and dramatic cliffs), Pserimos (a tiny island with a single sandy bay and a handful of houses) and Nisyros, where you can walk down into a volcanic crater. From Kos Town, a day trip to Bodrum is also popular.

Where to Anchor and Moor Around Kos

On a gulet or motor yacht, Kos combines a lively harbour town with open, sometimes windy sailing.

• Kos Town: the marina and the old harbour of Kos Town put you a short walk from the castle and the ruins. In high season, berths are in demand, so your crew will plan ahead.
• Kamari Bay (Kefalos): on the south-west coast, it is generally sheltered from the northerly winds and offers a quiet evening below Kefalos village.
• South coast swim stops: in settled weather, the bays off the south coast near Agios Stefanos and Paradise Beach make good lunch anchorages.
• Pserimos: a short hop from Kos, Pserimos is ideal for an evening after the day-trip boats have left.

The general rule in summer: the north coast faces the meltemi, so captains tend to use the south coast and the lee of neighbouring islands for overnight stops.

When to Go to Kos

The main season runs from June to September. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, with the strongest meltemi winds; that means lively sailing and breezy beaches on the north coast. June and September are the sweet spot for most visitors: warm sea, calmer winds and fewer people. May and October are quieter still, with pleasant temperatures on land, although the sea can still feel fresh in May.

For a charter that combines Kos with Bodrum and the Gulf of Gökova, early summer and September work especially well: Gökova's sheltered bays balance the more open Greek waters.

Kos on a Gulet Cruise: Sample Ideas

If you are new to the idea, here is what a Blue Voyage is. Kos fits into several types of week-long itinerary:

• Kos, Kalymnos, Leros and Patmos: a northern Dodecanese loop of harbours and swimming bays.
• Kos, Pserimos and Nisyros: shorter hops, quiet coves and the volcano.
• Kos and Bodrum, Gökova: half Greek islands, half Turkish coast, the classic two-country week.

Gulets such as Good Life and Zelda are based in Kos, and boats based in Bodrum cross over regularly. Exact routes always depend on wind, the boat and border formalities; your captain will adapt the plan day by day.

Practical Tips for Kos

• Currency: Greece uses the euro; Turkey uses the Turkish lira. If you cross from Bodrum, carry some euros.
• Getting around on land: Kos Town is walkable and has cycle lanes. To see Zia, Kefalos and the south coast, rent a car or scooter, or use the local buses.
• Heat: the archaeological sites have little shade. Go early, wear a hat and carry water.
• Respect the sites: do not climb on ruins or remove stones or pottery fragments; this is prohibited in Greece.

Explore Kos by Yacht

Kos is at its best when you see it from the water: in the morning in Kos Town, at lunch in a bay on the south coast and in the evening anchored off Pserimos, with Turkey on the horizon. Barbaros Yachting charters can start from Kos or cross over from Bodrum, with the crew taking care of passports and port clearance. Take a look at our Blue Voyage from Kos routes, browse our gulet charter in Greece fleet or our options for yacht charter in Greece, and tell us the islands you would like to see.

FAQ

Is Kos in Greece or Turkey? Kos is a Greek island. It belongs to the Dodecanese group and lies a short distance off the Turkish coast, opposite Bodrum.

How long is the ferry from Bodrum to Kos? Fast boats between Bodrum and Kos usually take 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the vessel and the weather. Services run daily in summer and less often in winter.

Do I need a passport to go from Bodrum to Kos? Yes, unless you are an EU citizen travelling with a valid national ID card. Kos is in the Schengen area, so non-EU travellers should check the current entry rules before travelling.

What is Kos best known for? The Castle of the Knights, the plane tree of Hippocrates, the Asklepion healing sanctuary, long sandy beaches and its position as a gateway between the Dodecanese and the Turkish coast.

Can I combine Kos and Bodrum on one yacht charter? Yes. A private charter can cross between Bodrum and Kos, and the crew handles passport control and port clearance on both sides. Routes like this are a classic way to see both the Greek islands and the Gulf of Gökova in one week.