Around the town
Around the centre of the island, most of the beaches along the western shore are sandy, with a seabed that deepens quickly. Walk along Averof Street and you’ll find a string of organised beaches with water sports, cafés, restaurants and bars; carry on along the coast to Zouroudi, where summer kiosks serve food and drink all day.
Lambi Beach
3.5 km from hotelA popular beach right by the town centre, and an easy choice for everyone — families, couples and groups of friends alike. Its first stretch is home to the Kos Maritime Club and the well-loved Mylos beach, with its picturesque windmill. Lambi ends just past Atlantis beach, which takes its name from the hotel beside it.
Along the east coast
Psalidi Beach
5.1 km from hotelPsalidi lies on the eastern side of the island, just past the harbour and the marina. It’s a lovely drive, lined with countless eucalyptus trees, and you’ll pass tourist shops, restaurants and larger hotels along the way. The beaches here are rocky, with pebbles or dark sand — some organised, such as «Ammos», and many quieter spots where you can simply lay down a towel and soak up the sun. You’ll also find a diving centre, plenty of water-sports stations, mini-golf, a go-kart track and the well-known Psalidi wetland, a protected nature reserve.
Agios Fokas Beach
8 km from hotelBeyond Psalidi you reach Agios Fokas. There are several good places to dive here, the best known being Agios Fokas itself — a rocky beach with clear water, lush greenery and pebbles, and a favourite with snorkellers exploring the seabed. The beach bar serves snacks and cool drinks until late, and it’s a fine spot for a full-moon night.
Therma Beach
13 km from hotelThe famous thermal springs of Kos. Getting down can be a challenge, but the rocky, volcanic landscape is worth it. The steep slopes, dark pebbles and sand were shaped by tectonic shifts and volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. A canteen near the springs sells the essentials, and if you’d rather not walk, a donkey can carry you down or back up. The smell of sulphur is strong as the hot water (30–50°C) rises through the rocks — in effect a very hot pool that, where it meets the Aegean, cools to merely warm.
The north coast
Tigaki Beach
10.5 km from hotelOne of the most beautiful beaches on the island if you love shallow, turquoise water and soft sand underfoot. The resort is firmly touristic, with sun-loungers stretching along the shore, water sports, cafés, restaurants, shops and apartments. Between Tigaki and Marmari on the north coast lies the protected Aliki wetland (Salt Lake), which produced sea salt until 1989.
Marmari Beach
14.2 km from hotelOne of the sandiest beaches on the island, with crystal-blue water, in a wholly touristic resort that comes alive in the summer months. Expect hotels, restaurants and a glorious stretch of sand with a sunset to match. Don’t be surprised to see horses on the beach: there’s a therapeutic riding centre nearby, with lessons for all ages and the chance to ride along the sand. Marmari also has a go-kart track and is a draw for kitesurfers.
Mastichari Beach
21.1 km from hotelMastichari has an almost exotic feel. Parts of it are organised, while elsewhere you can simply spread a towel on the sand. Alongside the organised water sports, it’s ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Mastichari is also home to one of the largest water parks in Greece, the Lido Water Park, covering some 75,000 m².
South to Kefalos
Kardamena Beach
26–30 km from hotelThe lively resort town of Kardamena is famous for its sandy beach, with organised beaches, cafés, restaurants, bars, shops and plenty of water sports. About four kilometres on, the stunning Helona beach pairs golden sand with crystal-blue water — deservedly one of the island’s favourites. Most of it is organised, though you can still find a quiet patch of sand to yourself, with cafés and tavernas on hand if you fancy a meal.
“Markos”, “Sunny”, “Langada”, “Magic” Beaches
33 km from hotelThis is really one long beach that changes its name from stretch to stretch. Each has turquoise water, a scattering of umbrellas and pure golden sand, along with showers, a few tavernas and canteens. Access is from the lanes off the left-hand side of the main road to Kefalos — just follow the signs.
Agios Stefanos Beach
36.1 km from hotelKefalos is rightly proud of its sandy beaches — some of the finest on the island. The image most people picture when they think of Kos is the little islet off Agios Stefanos. The ruins of early Christian basilicas stand just metres from the sea, and the crystal-blue Aegean, together with «Kastri» — the small rocky islet fifty metres across, crowned by the chapel of Agios Nikolaos — makes for an irresistible scene.
«Paradise» Beach
42 km from hotelAs the name suggests, this is a little slice of paradise: a sandy beach around six kilometres long, with crystal-clear water and a backdrop of lush cedar hills. Fully organised, it has just about everything — swim, relax, or try one of the many water sports. For lunch, choose between snacks and fresh fish with local mezedes at the tavernas nearby. The beach is reached by following the road out of Kefalos.
«Cavo Paradiso» Beach
50.2 km from hotelTucked away at the southern tip of the island and admittedly hard to reach, Cavo Paradiso is the most exotic of them all, with crystal-clear water and golden sand — about half an hour from Kefalos village. A small section is organised; the rest is left to perfect peace and quiet. To find it, follow the road out of Kefalos until it turns to dirt track.
