9 FREE things to do in Kos
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It’s no secret that Kos is not the biggest island in Greece but it is still rich in history and beautiful scenery. This guide will give you 5 free things that you can do when visiting Kos island. There is so much to see and if you’re on a budget, these are the places we would recommend visiting. Greece is also one of the safest destinations to visit so it is perfect for any traveller. Just because you’re on a budget, doesn’t mean that you will miss out on some of the wonderful sights & things to do in Kos.
1. Kos Waterfront
This may seem really obvious if you’ve ever been to Kos before but if you haven’t then make sure you take a wander down the marina. During the evening, all the boats will be on the marina and it is absolutely beautiful. You will most likely be approached multiple times where locals are selling boat trips. If you just politely say no (or Efharisto in Greek) then you will find that they won’t hassle you. Everyone’s got to make a living right? The waterfront is stunning and perfect for a stroll especially after you’ve filled up on wonderful Greek food. It is one of the most accessible free things to do in Kos out of the 5 we have to offer.
2. Paradise Beach
This is the most famous beach in Kos. Whilst it is free to visit, there are charges if you want to stay and sunbathe. The beach is golden with crystal clear water and there’s plenty of activity going on. If you pay €3 for the day and rent a sun-lounger, you can relax and watch people doing watersports. If you’re feeling brave enough, you may even want to give it a go yourself! You can try your hand at parasailing, banana boats, jetskiing and even flyboarding.
3. Plaka Forest
In our opinion, this is up there as one of the BEST hidden gems of Kos and also one of the best romantic spots in Kos. Whilst this is a free thing to do. This forest is hidden away and reachable if you’ve rented a car. It will give you some much needed share (especially during the summer). You can find gorgeous peacocks wandering around this forest. It is also a perfect area to have a picnic or a barbecue and enjoy the nature of Kos.
4. Eleftherias Square
If you want to just wander around and soak in some culture then we suggest you hit up Eleftherias Square. It is situated just outside of the Old Town. The whole area has gorgeous cobble stoned streets. You’ll find plenty of little shops where you can purchase gifts and trinkets for loved ones. If you visit the square at night, you may wander upon a live music show where hundreds of people congregate. If you go during the day, we would recommend visiting inside the market. You’ll find an assortment of creams, herbs and natural remedies as souvenirs from your trip to Kos.
5. Kos Town Castle (Neratzia)
It is located just on the entrance to the harbour and is boasting with history and culture. The castle was built in the 15th century by the Knights of St. John and the outside is spectacular. Admittedly there is not much to see within. However, it is still a great place to snap some photos and experience a small part of Kos’ history. Besides, its free and easily accessible so if you have some spare time, it’s definitely worth checking out.
6. Roman Odeon of Kos
built by the Romans this beautiful bit of architecture is worth a visit and not hard to get to it is just a small walk away. When you visit its like being brought back in time the odeon has been restored and looks perfect you can just imagine what it would have been like back in the 3rd century when it was made. It is a good taste of Greek meets Roman history just waiting for you to experience for yourself.
7. White Stone Cave
The caves are a very cool place to go and visit on the south west side of the island. it is practically untouched now just visited by the public it is a beautiful sight to see and a great view when you get there. It is full of white marble and the caves get lit up with natural light the walk up isn’t very hard you will be able to take your time and enjoy the view on the way up.
8. Oriental Plane Tree
This may look like just a tree but it has an amazing history especially with the medical world the tree is also known as the Hippocrates plane tree. It was said that Hippocrates used to teach about medicine under the shade of the tree. The sad truth is that the tree is much too young as it is only 500 years old and he was alive in the 5th century BC. But he was from the island of kos and most likely the real tree he used was around the same area since his teaching. The tree has become a kind of symbol around the world for medicine with its seeds being sent and kept at multiple places of learning for medicine globally like in Scotland, USA and Australia.
9. Camel Beach
Camel Beach is a beautiful place to visit with chilled out vibes. With Kos island being reasonably small you can get around fairly easily. It is best to have a car to get around and we would recommend it but if not you can still get around easily. The reason we are telling you about this is because the beach is on one side of the island and if you are staying in Kos you will need to travel a little bit to get to the beach but it is worth it. The beach is only a 40 min drive from Kos old town so make sure you it is on you list when visiting Kos island.
Where to Stay in Kos
When you’re visiting Kos, you need to find an incredible place to stay because there are so many amazing things to do whilst you’re on the island. When we visit Kos, we usually stay at the Nicon apartments but this is only available to book through a Jet2 Holiday package. However, we’ve stayed in a few other accommodations in the Old Town. and there are plenty of amazing ones out there that we’ve not tried yet. Use our interactive map below to explore the area and find the best accommodation for you!
Plan Your Trip to Kos Now
Kos has so many wondrous sights and there is a lot of beauty to take in. There is a lot more than 5 these are just our easy free things to do. If you’re on a budget then we definitely recommend checking out some of these places. If you’re looking for a bit more to then try looking for the best view in Kos.
Tag us on Instagram in any photos of places you’ve got to visit after checking out our guides! We look forward to seeing your pictures.
