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 choose the bigger ones (like Kos with youngsters) to have extra sights, greater accommodations, their very own airport? Or the smaller, sleepier ones the place every day is whiled away at a seaside 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 greatest 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 potential, 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.
Take a look at 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 historical Greek ruins are going to thrill your youngsters, it is a nice cease in Kos for households.
Large and sweeping up the aspect 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 might need been used to diagnose her, and which animal she might need been required to supply as sacrifice as a substitute of fee.
The views are fabulous too, and there are quirky carvings to find: after we visited, there was a joint ticket which provides 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 below 6 and EU residents, half-price for age 6-25 for non-EU residents).
Or take a look at 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 value stopping in – hold this in your listing of issues to do in Kos city.
Just lately reopened after an extended renovation, the massive mosaic from the Casa Romana and string of historical statues had my daughter enthralled, particularly recognizing the assorted animals accompanying them.
For the greatest youngsters’ books about Greece, to introduce youngsters to Greek gods and historical past, take a look at my prime picks
Nothing is behind glass, so if in case you have smaller youngsters who may be tempted to seize, be in your guard – a pleasant member of workers wandered round as we did, conserving a cautious eye out.
An effective way to assist everybody think about what the temples might need appeared like lots of of years in the past adorned with comparable statues and mosaics.
Entry prices 6 Euros for adults.
3. The seaside
Nonetheless fascinating the island’s historical past, you’ll end up on a seaside in Kos at the very least as soon as – we by no means appeared removed from a quiet cove, some with blacker sand from the world’s volcanic previous, others extra shingle, together with some superb ones on the south coast with easy golden sand.
Paradise Seaside, between Kardamena and Kefalos, is among the best-known – for an excellent purpose. 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 possibly can rent umbrellas and loungers as nicely, in any other case there’s very restricted shade.
Additionally often called Bubble Seaside, bubbles attributable to volcanic gases from the ocean mattress pop like a pure jacuzzi – though we didn’t discover them sadly. Hold a watch out for the pirate ship too, one of many boat cruises which sails alongside the coast.
4. The Citadel of the Knights
Set on a nook of Kos Outdated City, overlooking the harbour, the fort as soon as sat on a bit of island of its personal.
Often known as Neratzia Citadel, 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 incredible 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 fort buildings.
Then head again throughout the small bridge in direction of the aircraft tree of Hippocrates and the remainder of the beautiful previous city streets. There are some uneven surfaces and no boundaries on partitions, if you happen to’re visiting Kos fort with toddlers.
5. See a standard home
Preserved among the many island’s shady village streets, you may 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 may be seats, a loom, a small oven for baking.
No indoor rest room or bathroom although, a lot to my daughter’s incredulity… the standard lifestyle as lately because the mid twentieth century, the homes are an enchanting and infrequently 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 quite extra deliciously indulgent creations, together with spiced biscuits which you’ll 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 verify opening dates and instances although because it’s solely open throughout the primary summer time interval so if you happen to’re travelling in Could half-term you could possibly 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 seaside. 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 undoubtedly higher with older youngsters.
For extra dramatic landscapes you may also 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 an extended boat journey doesn’t tempt you, you may also go to Nisyros as a part of a half-day tour of Kos
9. Style honey
Not removed from Magic Seaside 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 unit.
In addition to studying how the hives are moved round Kos and neighbouring islands to make sure a continuing supply of thyme flowers, there’s loads of tasting on supply. And outdoors, a really pleasant donkey which you’ll 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 below the timber 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 if in case 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.
For those who’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 may cruise on a standard gulet boat earlier than swimming and snorkelling, good if you happen to’re on the lookout for a couple of actions in Kos to do along with your youngsters.
Some of the enjoyable choices is a pirate boat cruise with youngsters, visiting Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Plati – the truth is, 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 day trip.
For extra concepts of nice Greek islands with youngsters, take a look at 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 concerning the biscuits, stay my very own.
Photographs copyright MummyTravels