11 things to do in Kos with kids – family Greece

For me, the question isn’t whether to go on a family island hop around the Greek islands, it’s which islands to choose. Do you pick the larger ones (like Kos with kids) to have more attractions, bigger hotels, their own airport? Or the smaller, sleepier ones where each day is whiled away at a beach or taverna instead?

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The bonus of an island hop, of course, is you get to do both… So as well as our laid-back few days slowing right down on Symi, we decided to start our family island hop on Kos, one of the biggest and best known islands in the Dodecanese.

Still small enough to get around easily if you want to pack in as many places to visit in Kos as possible, we saw the highlights on a full day tour, spent another day exploring the south west of the island and a couple more hours discovering the things to do in Kos Town – and could happily have spent longer. So if you’re wondering what to do in Kos for families, these are my top 11 things to do in Kos for kids.

Check out ferries from Kos to other Greek islands for an family island hop

1. The Asklepion

One of the world’s first hospitals, built around the time of Hippocrates (himself an island inhabitant), the ancient site shouldn’t be missed – even if you’re not convinced ancient Greek ruins are going to thrill your kids, this is a great stop in Kos for families.

Huge and sweeping up the side of a hill, some has been restored while much of the rest is in ruins; the fascination comes in hearing how this hospital worked.

Our guide, Evvy, was great, persuading one of the older kids on the tour to act as patient – explaining how her dreams might have been used to diagnose her, and which animal she might have been required to offer as sacrifice instead of payment.

The views are fabulous too, and there are quirky carvings to discover: when we visited, there was a joint ticket which gives entry to the Archaeological museum and castle in Kos Town as well as the Casa Romana, otherwise entry for adults is now 8 Euros (free for children).

For the best kids’ books about Greece, to introduce children to Greek gods and history, check out my top picks

2. Kos Archaeological museum

We had time for only a very quick visit to the archaeological museum before going to the Asklepion but while it’s small, it’s worth stopping in – keep this on your list of things to do in Kos town.

Recently reopened after a long renovation, the huge mosaic from the Casa Romana and string of ancient statues had my daughter enthralled, especially spotting the various animals accompanying them. 

Nothing is behind glass, so if you have smaller kids who might be tempted to grab, be on your guard – a friendly member of staff wandered around as we did, keeping a wary eye out.

A great way to help everyone imagine what the temples might have looked like hundreds of years ago decorated with similar statues and mosaics.

Entry costs 6 Euros for adults.

3. The beach

However fascinating the island’s history, you’ll find yourself on a beach in Kos at least once – we never seemed far from a quiet cove, some with blacker sand from the area’s volcanic past, others more shingle, along with some glorious ones on the south coast with smooth golden sand.

Paradise Beach, between Kardamena and Kefalos, is one of the best-known – for a good reason. A gentle shallow slope into the sea makes it perfect for smaller kids to splash around, and unlike some other more refreshing bays, the water seemed to warm up faster too.

You can hire umbrellas and loungers as well, otherwise there’s very limited shade.

Also known as Bubble Beach, bubbles caused by volcanic gases from the sea bed pop like a natural jacuzzi – although we didn’t notice them sadly. Keep an eye out for the pirate ship too, one of the boat cruises which sails along the coast.

4. The Castle of the Knights

Set on a corner of Kos Old Town, overlooking the harbour, the castle once sat on a little island of its own.

Also known as Neratzia Castle, the imposing walls built by the knights of St John in the 15th century to repel attacks by the Turks remain, although there’s little still intact inside.

But it’s a great place to let your imagination run riot as you gaze out to the sea yourself from one of the towers, as well as eyeing up carvings and pieces of the old castle buildings.

Then head back across the small bridge towards the plane tree of Hippocrates and the rest of the pretty old town streets. There are some uneven surfaces and no barriers on walls, if you’re visiting Kos castle with toddlers.

5. See a traditional house

Preserved among the island’s shady village streets, you can still find some of the traditional houses of Kos where life was lived mostly in one room.

In a corner, the big family bed is raised up and reached by small steps, a baby cradle suspended above. In another corner might be seats, a loom, a small oven for baking.

No indoor bathroom or toilet though, much to my daughter’s incredulity… the typical way of life as recently as the mid 20th century, the houses are a fascinating and often picturesque glimpse into the past. We found one in Kefalos, another in Antimachia.

6. The Kos Windmill

Also in Antimachia sits the last working windmill on the island, its bright white sails still turning against a blue sky.

Once the windmill would have made flour for the village’s bread – these days, the results are transformed into some rather more deliciously indulgent creations, including spiced biscuits which you can try and buy at the shop.

I only wish we’d bought even more…

7. The waterparks in Kos

The island has two waterparks – Aquatica and Lido, but if you’re travelling with younger kids then the latter is best with slides and more activities as well as a wave pool and lazy river.

Do check opening dates and times though as it’s only open during the main summer period so if you’re travelling in May half-term you could miss out.

8. The thermal springs

The area’s volcanic past has left its mark across Kos, from the vineyards which flourish in the rich mineral soil to the scattering of black sand on some of the beaches.

But perhaps most dramatic is Bros Therma, the hot springs which emerge from the crags into a natural pool near Agios Fokas pebble beach. It’s a bit of a clamber and walk to get to the pool, and the warmth of the water makes it best at sunset – so definitely better with older kids. 

For more dramatic landscapes you can also hop on a boat to Nisyros, a volcanic island around 20 minutes off the south coast. Inactive for 16,000 years, steam still hisses from fissures in the ground.

9. Taste honey

Not far from Magic Beach on the south coast, discover the island’s thyme honey and some of the secrets of its production at the Melissa honey factory.

As well as learning how the hives are moved around Kos and neighbouring islands to ensure a constant source of thyme flowers, there’s plenty of tasting on offer. And outside, a very friendly donkey which you can feed.

10. Visit Plaka

The scent of the peaceful pines hits you as soon as you get close to Plaka forest off the road between Kardamena and Kefalos. Peacocks strut under the trees here, though I didn’t spot any, while butterflies flutter in the shade.

A lovely cool contrast to the coast, it’s easy to park nearby if you have a car – or with older kids, make the most of the flat quiet roads in this part of Kos and hire bikes to cycle around the island.

If you’re looking to hire a car to explore Kos with kids, I’m a big fan of Zest Car Rental which we’ve used on various Greek islands

11. Take a boat trip

Every sea has its colour – and if the Caribbean sparkles turquoise, the Aegean is the deepest sapphire blue. We spotted it from the hilltop village at Zia and the old town in Kefalos, perched above the seafront nightlife and shops.

But taking a boat trip out around the island is even better – as well as the pirate ship or day trip to Nisyros (and Bodrum in Turkey if you fancy), you can cruise on a traditional gulet boat before swimming and snorkelling, perfect if you’re looking for a few activities in Kos to do with your kids.

Or there’s always the ferry on to your next enticing island.

For more ideas of great Greek islands with kids, check out our trips to Skiathos and Corfu, as well as ideas for Kefalonia with kids

first published 2017, updated 2020

PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN KOS WITH KIDS

Disclosure: My visit to Kos was courtesy of Olympic Holidays, as was our one-day tour. I booked our hire car independently. All opinions on visiting Kos with kids, including those about the biscuits, remain my own.

Images copyright MummyTravels

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