For me, the query isn’t whether or not to go on a household island hop across the Greek islands, it’s which islands to decide on. Do you decide the bigger ones (like Kos with youngsters) to have extra sights, larger resorts, their very own airport? Or the smaller, sleepier ones the place every day is whiled away at a seashore or taverna as a substitute?
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The bonus of an island hop, after all, is you get to do each… So in addition to our laid-back few days slowing proper down on Symi, we determined to begin our household island hop on Kos, one of many largest and greatest identified islands within the Dodecanese.
Nonetheless sufficiently small to get round simply if you wish to pack in as many locations to go to in Kos as doable, we noticed the highlights on a full day tour, spent one other day exploring the south west of the island and a pair extra hours discovering the issues to do in Kos City – and will fortunately have spent longer. So if you happen to’re questioning what to do in Kos for households, these are my prime 11 issues to do in Kos for youths.
Try ferries from Kos to different Greek islands for an household island hop
1. The Asklepion
One of many world’s first hospitals, constructed across the time of Hippocrates (himself an island inhabitant), the traditional website shouldn’t be missed – even if you happen to’re not satisfied historic Greek ruins are going to thrill your youngsters, this can be a nice cease in Kos for households.
Enormous and sweeping up the facet of a hill, some has been restored whereas a lot of the remaining is in ruins; the fascination is available in listening to how this hospital labored.
Our information, Evvy, was nice, persuading one of many older youngsters on the tour to behave as affected person – explaining how her desires may need been used to diagnose her, and which animal she may need been required to supply as sacrifice as a substitute of fee.
The views are fabulous too, and there are quirky carvings to find: once we visited, there was a joint ticket which supplies entry to the Archaeological museum and chateau in Kos City in addition to the Casa Romana, in any other case entry for adults is now 8 Euros (free for youngsters underneath 6 and EU residents, half-price for age 6-25 for non-EU residents).
Or try this full-day tour of Kos, together with a go to to the Asklepion
2. Kos Archaeological museum
We had time for less than a really fast go to to the archaeological museum earlier than going to the Asklepion however whereas it’s small, it’s price stopping in – maintain this in your checklist of issues to do in Kos city.
Not too long ago reopened after a protracted renovation, the large mosaic from the Casa Romana and string of historic statues had my daughter enthralled, particularly recognizing the varied animals accompanying them.
For the greatest youngsters’ books about Greece, to introduce youngsters to Greek gods and historical past, try my prime picks
Nothing is behind glass, so when you have smaller youngsters who is perhaps tempted to seize, be in your guard – a pleasant member of workers wandered round as we did, preserving a cautious eye out.
An effective way to assist everybody think about what the temples may need regarded like a whole bunch of years in the past embellished with comparable statues and mosaics.
Entry prices 6 Euros for adults.
3. The seashore
Nevertheless fascinating the island’s historical past, you’ll end up on a seashore in Kos a minimum of as soon as – we by no means appeared removed from a quiet cove, some with blacker sand from the realm’s volcanic previous, others extra shingle, together with some superb ones on the south coast with clean golden sand.
Paradise Seashore, between Kardamena and Kefalos, is likely one of the best-known – for an excellent motive. A mild shallow slope into the ocean makes it good for smaller youngsters to splash round, and in contrast to another extra refreshing bays, the water appeared to heat up sooner too.
You’ll be able to rent umbrellas and loungers as effectively, in any other case there’s very restricted shade.
Additionally referred to as Bubble Seashore, bubbles attributable to volcanic gases from the ocean mattress pop like a pure jacuzzi – though we didn’t discover them sadly. Maintain a watch out for the pirate ship too, one of many boat cruises which sails alongside the coast.
4. The Fortress of the Knights
Set on a nook of Kos Previous City, overlooking the harbour, the citadel as soon as sat on a little bit island of its personal.
Also referred to as Neratzia Fortress, the imposing partitions constructed by the knights of St John within the fifteenth century to repel assaults by the Turks stay, though there’s little nonetheless intact inside.
Nevertheless it’s an awesome place to let your creativeness run riot as you gaze out to the ocean your self from one of many towers, in addition to eyeing up carvings and items of the previous citadel buildings.
Then head again throughout the small bridge in direction of the airplane tree of Hippocrates and the remainder of the gorgeous previous city streets. There are some uneven surfaces and no obstacles on partitions, if you happen to’re visiting Kos citadel with toddlers.
5. See a conventional home
Preserved among the many island’s shady village streets, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover a number of the conventional homes of Kos the place life was lived largely in a single room.
In a nook, the large household mattress is raised up and reached by small steps, a child cradle suspended above. In one other nook is perhaps seats, a loom, a small oven for baking.
No indoor rest room or rest room although, a lot to my daughter’s incredulity… the everyday lifestyle as lately because the mid twentieth century, the homes are an interesting and sometimes picturesque glimpse into the previous. We discovered one in Kefalos, one other in Antimachia.
6. The Kos Windmill
Additionally in Antimachia sits the final working windmill on the island, its vibrant white sails nonetheless turning towards a blue sky.
As soon as the windmill would have made flour for the village’s bread – nowadays, the outcomes are reworked into some somewhat extra deliciously indulgent creations, together with spiced biscuits which you’ll be able to try to purchase on the store.
I solely want we’d purchased much more…
7. The waterparks in Kos
The island has two waterparks – Aquatica and Lido, however if you happen to’re travelling with youthful youngsters then the latter is greatest with slides and extra actions in addition to a wave pool and lazy river.
Do test opening dates and instances although because it’s solely open throughout the principle summer season interval so if you happen to’re travelling in Could half-term you possibly can miss out.
8. The thermal springs
The realm’s volcanic previous has left its mark throughout Kos, from the vineyards which flourish within the wealthy mineral soil to the scattering of black sand on a number of the seashores.
However maybe most dramatic is Bros Therma, the recent springs which emerge from the crags right into a pure pool close to Agios Fokas pebble seashore. It’s a little bit of a clamber and stroll to get to the pool, and the heat of the water makes it greatest at sundown – so positively higher with older youngsters.
For extra dramatic landscapes you can too hop on a boat to Nisyros, a volcanic island round 20 minutes off the south coast. Inactive for 16,000 years, steam nonetheless hisses from fissures within the floor.
If a protracted boat journey doesn’t tempt you, you can too go to Nisyros as a part of a half-day tour of Kos
9. Style honey
Not removed from Magic Seashore on the south coast, uncover the island’s thyme honey and a number of the secrets and techniques of its manufacturing on the Melissa honey manufacturing facility.
In addition to studying how the hives are moved round Kos and neighbouring islands to make sure a relentless supply of thyme flowers, there’s loads of tasting on supply. And outdoors, a really pleasant donkey which you’ll be able to feed.
10. Go to Plaka
The scent of the peaceable pines hits you as quickly as you get near Plaka forest off the street between Kardamena and Kefalos. Peacocks strut underneath the bushes right here, although I didn’t spot any, whereas butterflies flutter within the shade.
A beautiful cool distinction to the coast, it’s straightforward to park close by when you have a automobile – or with older youngsters, take advantage of the flat quiet roads on this a part of Kos and rent bikes to cycle across the island.
In case you’re trying to rent a automobile to discover Kos with youngsters, I’m a giant fan of Zest Automobile Rental which we’ve used on numerous Greek islands
11. Take a ship journey
Each sea has its color – and if the Caribbean sparkles turquoise, the Aegean is the deepest sapphire blue. We noticed it from the hilltop village at Zia and the previous city in Kefalos, perched above the seafront nightlife and retailers.
However taking a ship journey out across the island is even higher – in addition to the pirate ship or day journey to Nisyros (and Bodrum in Turkey if you happen to fancy), you’ll be able to cruise on a conventional gulet boat earlier than swimming and snorkelling, good if you happen to’re searching for just a few actions in Kos to do together with your youngsters.
Probably the most enjoyable choices is a pirate boat cruise with youngsters, visiting Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Plati – in actual fact, there are a number of pirate boat journeys to select from in Kos. Or attempt a glass-bottomed boat journey with stops to swim.
Or there’s all the time the ferry on to your subsequent engaging island – to not point out Turkey close by, with a boat journey to Bodrum as one other uncommon time out.
For extra concepts of nice Greek islands with youngsters, try our journeys to Skiathos and Corfu, in addition to concepts for Kefalonia with youngsters
*first printed 2017, up to date 2024*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN KOS WITH KIDS
Disclosure: My go to to Kos was courtesy of Olympic Holidays, as was our one-day tour. I booked our rent automobile independently. All opinions on visiting Kos with youngsters, together with these in regards to the biscuits, stay my very own.
Photos copyright MummyTravels
