The 6 Best Beaches in Kos

Paradise Beach is famous for being one of the best beaches in Kos and is particularly loved by families with children. There are several spots on the island with similar names, all involving ‘Paradise’ – and who can blame them? – but this one is located at one end of a long, sandy stretch of the Kefalos coast. The sea is clear, sheltered and starts shallow, and you can rent umbrellas/sunbeds or just pop your towel down on a fresh stretch of sand. Incidentally, in the winter or off-season, when the wind changes, kite surfers will find a peaceful slice of heaven here. In summer you can rent jet-skis, ride in pedalos with slides, go on a banana boat or try kayaking – or simply swim in the blissfully warm sea. There’s also an inflatable water park at one end of the stretch that’s sure to be a hit with younger family members. At the back of the beach, Paradise Beach Restaurant boasts a fabulous view of the bay, with sun-trap tables and shady spots to grab a bite. They serve island classics like gyros plates, keftides, souvlaki and homemade houmous and pitta, as well as comfort-food favourites like toasties, and cocktails too.

Agios Stefanos is a pretty, sandy-shingle beach that lies on an intriguing stretch of the coast. But what truly makes it stand out from the other Kos beaches is the ruins of the grand basilica. At one end of this unique beach, the fallen monument spills down onto the sand, interspersed with trees, making for a magical atmosphere and allowing you to literally walk through history. If you can drag yourself out of bed early one day for possibly the best sunrise in Kos, you’ll find yourself caught in a magically photogenic moment. The seabed is mostly sandy and stays shallow for a while, making swimming here an utterly relaxing experience. The second unexpected gem on this beach is the view of picturesque Kastri Island. Strong swimmers can make their own way out to the iconic rocky outcrop, topped with its famous blue-roofed church, currently en vogue for wedding and engagement photoshoots. You don’t have to swim to catch a bit of the magic though – boats also run across to the romantic spot all day long.

Away from the bustle of the more touristy Kos beaches, Limnionas is your own slice of peaceful paradise with an unimaginably blue sea backed by trees. This underrated beach is located around 5 km north of the little town of Kefalos. There are actually two bays to choose from here, neither of which gets too busy, so you’ll find yourself sharing the sheltered sea and sunshine with just a handful of others. One beach is protected by a long arm of rocks that helps safeguard the traditional little fishing boats in rough weather, with a sandy bottom, some shingle and seaweed. The other side is rocky and pebbly with some sand, but it’s nevertheless a wonderfully sheltered and tranquil spot to swim and snorkel, with crystal-clear waters and colourful fish. The seafood restaurant that overlooks both bays comes highly recommended and gets much busier than the beach itself. With its fabulous view and mouth-wateringly fresh selection, it’s not hard to see why. You can either eat early – before the locals roll in – or book in advance to avoid disappointment. There’s not much else in the way of amenities here, so bring your water, picnic and book – it’ll be a lazy day.

If you’re looking for a classic beach holiday, Tigaki is one of the best beaches in Kos for you. Just 11 km from Kos town and on the reliably warm and sunny south coast, it’s a long, sandy gem favoured by tourists. Lying under a reed umbrella, with white sand stretching into the aquamarine sea, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d landed in the Maldives. At this Blue Flag beach, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, and there are also toilets, showers and several bars and restaurants to choose from – everything you need for a magical family day out. The sandy expanse rolls on for miles, with intermittent spots to rent pedalos, jet-skis, kayaks, water tubes and more. There are even volleyball nets along the wide, flat back section of the beach. With an incredibly laid-back atmosphere, there’s more than enough space here for you to pitch your towel without a sunbed.

While not the prettiest, most picturesque beach at first glance, Thermes beach is unique. Where else in the world can you dip into natural thermal hot springs and then splash right into the sea to cool down afterwards? Tourists and locals alike enjoy the thermal waters here at all times of day (and even night). Out the back of Agios Fokas, follow the red sign to ‘Therma’ (and the savvy locals) and soak your aching muscles in delightful waters ranging from 30 to 50°C. It may be a basic, pebbly beach without much development, but it’s fabulously secluded and unsurprisingly boasts a very calming vibe. The thermal springs bubble directly into a little pool that’s sectioned off by rocks, but as the spring water mingles with the refreshing salt water, you get varying temperatures around the pool and a very pleasant temperature immediately outside of it too. If you can, head down early to enjoy the place in almost total tranquillity, or opt for a sunset dip.

Those seeking adventure, seclusion and a more rugged side to Kos should definitely head to Cavo Paradiso. It’s one of the harder-to-reach Kos beaches, over half an hour’s drive from Kefalos, with the last stretch on an untarmacked road, but you’ll be rewarded for your effort. At the end of the track you’ll find a sandy and pebbly cove against a backdrop of dramatic cliffs and cedar trees smoothed by the wind, with just a handful of adventurous visitors. The water is a whole spectrum of blue hues, light and clear in the shallows and rich navy in the deeper parts – it’s just calling out for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking, if you happen to have brought your own gear. There are no formal water sports or rental places here, but you can use one of the dozen or so sunbeds if you’re one of the first people to the cove. What there is, however, is plenty of space to spread out in your own little spot, and there’s even a tiny, very authentic beach bar for refreshments in summer.