Where to Stay in Kos

Greece › Kos Best Hotels & Towns
Updated: December 21, 2025 • By Santorini Dave

The Best Areas to Stay in Kos

• Kos Town (The All-Rounder): As the capital and main port, Kos Town is the best base for most first-time visitors. It offers a unique blend of ancient history (Roman Odeon, Castle of the Knights), Italian-era architecture, and vibrant modern life.
• Why stay here: You get everything in one place: excellent dining, nightlife (Bar Street), and shopping. It is the hub for the island’s extensive bicycle path network. Kos is the most bike-friendly island in Greece. You are also close to the ferry port for day trips to Bodrum (Turkey) or Nisyros.
• Best For: First-timers, history buffs, nightlife lovers, and those who want to explore without a car.

Kos Town.

• Kardamena (Nightlife & Resorts): Located on the south coast, 30 minutes from Kos Town. Once a quiet fishing village, it has exploded into a lively resort hub famous for its English-style pubs and clubs.
• The Vibe: High energy. It attracts a younger crowd and package tourists. However, outside the main strip, it is home to several massive, high-end all-inclusive resorts suitable for families.
• Best For: Young travelers looking to party, or families booking large all-inclusive resort packages.

• Tigaki (Best for Families): Situated on the north coast, just 11km from Kos Town. Tigaki is famous for its massive 10km stretch of white sand.
• The Beach: The water here is incredibly shallow for a long distance out, making it the safest and most relaxing beach for toddlers and young children.
• The Vibe: Laid-back and purely tourist-focused. It is a long strip of hotels, tavernas, and shops running parallel to the sea.
• Best For: Families with young kids and those wanting a quiet beach holiday close to the capital.

• Mastichari (Chill & Traditional): A charming port village on the northwest coast. It feels more “Greek” and less commercial than Tigaki or Kardamena.
• Why stay here: It has a wide, sandy beach that is popular for windsurfing (the Meltemi wind hits here). It is also the departure point for the ferry to the neighboring island of Kalymnos, making for an easy day trip. The seafood tavernas here are excellent.
• Best For: Couples and families wanting a slower pace and fresh fish.

• Kefalos & Kamari (Best Beaches): Located on the far southwest tip of the island (40km from Town). This area is home to the island’s absolute best beaches (Paradise Beach, Camel Beach, Agios Stefanos).
• The Vibe: Very quiet and spread out. The village of Kefalos sits high on the hill (traditional), while the hotels are down at the beach (Kamari bay).
• Best For: Beach purists who do not care about nightlife or shopping. You need a car here.

• Agios Stefanos (The Postcard Shot): Technically part of the Kefalos bay, but distinct enough to mention. This is the most photographed beach on Kos.
• The Highlight: You swim in crystal clear water directly next to the ruins of two 5th-century Christian basilicas, with the tiny islet of Kastri (and its blue-domed chapel) just offshore.
• Best For: Snorkelers and photographers.

• Zia (Mountain Sunsets): Nestled high on the slopes of Mount Dikeos. Zia is famous for its panoramic sunset views.
• My Advice: While charming with its cobblestone streets and colorful shops, Zia is primarily a day-trip destination. Staying here isolates you from the sea (it is a winding drive down to the beach). Come here for a sunset dinner at a rooftop taverna like Oromedon, but stay closer to the coast.

The 9 Best Hotels in Kos, Greece

1. Aktis Art Hotel – Kos Town

Lovely, central, waterfront boutique hotel featuring minimalist and stylish rooms and suites with bathtubs and private balconies or terraces with lovely sea and Turkish coastline views. Suites add living rooms with sofa beds. Excellent location a short walk from the Kos Town main square and the harbor. The hotel now features its own small outdoor pool, and guests still retain access to the larger pool at the sister hotel (Kos Divine Hotel & Suites) nearby.

2. Albergo Gelsomino – Kos Town

For old-world glamour, this is the place. Housed in a restored 1928 Italian-era building, it is one of the most historic landmarks in town. It is a true luxury boutique hotel with high ceilings, art deco interiors, and a private beach club right across the street. Breakfast is served overlooking the sand.

3. Astir Odysseus Resort & Spa – Tigaki

Beautiful, family-friendly resort 6 km from Kos Town, with a good range of elegant, tastefully decorated rooms, suites, and maisonettes featuring furnished balconies/terraces with garden/pool/sea views. Upgraded rooms have bathtubs, shared pools, and sofa beds depending on the category. Executive suites feature living rooms with sofa beds and top-end suites add private pools. The lovely seafront bi-level maisonettes have shared pools with private access and the presidential maisonettes have their own private pools.

4. Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel & Spa – Lambi Beach

Outstanding, sophisticated, adults-only, all-suite boutique hotel set on Lambi beach, 3 km from Kos Town, with bright suites featuring cutting-edge design, floor-to-ceiling windows, wooden floors, purified water filtration systems, open plan bathrooms, bathtubs, and balconies/terraces. Upgraded suites have sea views and pool suites have jacuzzis (some) and private pools. The top end ‘Aqua Blu Loft’ and ‘Deluxe’ suites have living rooms with fireplaces and bathrooms with jacuzzis.

5. Diamond Deluxe Hotel – Lambi Beach

Trendy, adults-only hotel set across the road from a beach and around 4 kms from Kos Town, with white-toned, airy rooms, maisonettes, and suites having parquet floors, jacuzzis, furnished balconies, and pool/partial sea/sea views. Upgraded rooms have shared swimming pools, terraces, and circular beds depending on the category. Bi-level maisonettes have double sofa beds in the living rooms and the top-end suites add circular beds and private pools.

6. Michelangelo Resort & Spa – Agios Fokas

Chic, 45-acre luxury resort on the beach and 9 kms from Kos Town. Stylish rooms and suites have bathtubs and furnished balconies with views. Suites add seating areas. The hotel has a jaw-droppingly beautiful infinity pool with splendid sea views. The resort offers B&B, half-board, full-board, and all-inclusive options.

7. Grecotel LUXME Kos – Psalidi

Huge kid-friendly resort (4 km from Kos Town) with a pebble beach and many interesting water features including a seafront lagoon pool with waterfalls. It offers a staggering range of accommodation options including refined rooms, bungalows, suites, and royal pavilions. Basic rooms start out with rattan furniture, fridges, bathtubs, and balconies or terraces. Suites and villas have private pools and gardens.

8. Atlantica Belvedere Resort – Kardamena

Luxurious adults-only resort (plenty of stone, wood, & marble) set on a gentle hill and dotted with a total of 21 infinity pools. The lovely rooms, suites, and villas feature sofa beds and furnished terraces/balconies. The 42 double guest rooms (starting category) share 11 swimming pools; suites add tiled floors, living rooms, walk-in wardrobes, and private pools; and the bi-level villas add more space. The hotel has a private beach and there’s a local bus stop into Kardamena town (4 km).

9. Neptune Luxury Resort – Mastichari

Sprawling, 37-acre, beachfront, family-friendly resort, 5 km from Mastichari town, with a huge range of tastefully decorated rooms, suites, and apartments. Starting category rooms have bathtubs and balconies/terraces with garden views while upgraded rooms have sea views (some). Family apartments have kitchenettes and the top-end apartments have well-equipped kitchens and seafront locations. The luxurious, top-end suites have walk-in closets, more balconies, and stunning sea views, depending on the category. The hotel has extensive gardens with mythological sculptures, a kids club, mini water park, outdoor games, and more options for children.

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• Kos Family Hotels