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 points of interest, greater accommodations, 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 start out our household island hop on Kos, one of many largest and finest recognized 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 attainable, 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 should you’re questioning what to do in Kos for households, these are my prime 11 issues to do in Kos for teenagers.
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 should you’re not satisfied historic Greek ruins are going to thrill your youngsters, it is 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 remainder 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: 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 kids beneath 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 price stopping in – preserve 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 assorted animals accompanying them.
For one of the best 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 you probably have smaller youngsters who is perhaps tempted to seize, be in your guard – a pleasant member of employees wandered round as we did, retaining a cautious eye out.
A good way to assist everybody think about what the temples may need seemed like a whole bunch of years in the past adorned with comparable statues and mosaics.
Entry prices 6 Euros for adults.
3. The seashore
Nonetheless fascinating the island’s historical past, you’ll end up on a seashore in Kos at the 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 clean golden sand.
Paradise Seashore, between Kardamena and Kefalos, is likely one of the best-known – for a great 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 may rent umbrellas and loungers as properly, in any other case there’s very restricted shade.
Additionally often known 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 Citadel of the Knights
Set on a nook of Kos Outdated City, overlooking the harbour, the fort as soon as sat on a bit island of its personal.
Also called 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 a terrific 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 outdated fort buildings.
Then head again throughout the small bridge in direction of the airplane tree of Hippocrates and the remainder of the gorgeous outdated city streets. There are some uneven surfaces and no obstacles on partitions, should you’re visiting Kos fort 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 massive 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 lavatory or rest room although, a lot to my daughter’s incredulity… the standard lifestyle as lately because the mid twentieth century, the homes are a captivating 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 shiny 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 remodeled into some moderately 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 should you’re travelling with youthful youngsters then the latter is finest with slides and extra actions in addition to a wave pool and lazy river.
Do verify opening dates and occasions although because it’s solely open throughout the principle summer time interval so should you’re travelling in Might half-term you could possibly miss out.
8. The thermal springs
The world’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 new 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 finest at sundown – so undoubtedly higher with older youngsters.
For extra dramatic landscapes you may as well hop on a ship 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 may as well 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 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 out of doors, 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 highway between Kardamena and Kefalos. Peacocks strut beneath 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 you probably have a automotive – 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.
When you’re seeking to rent a automotive to discover Kos with youngsters, I’m a giant fan of Zest Automotive 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 outdated city in Kefalos, perched above the seafront nightlife and outlets.
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 should you fancy), you’ll be able to cruise on a conventional gulet boat earlier than swimming and snorkelling, good should you’re on the lookout for just a few actions in Kos to do together with your youngsters.
Some of the 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 ship 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 automotive independently. All opinions on visiting Kos with youngsters, together with these in regards to the biscuits, stay my very own.
Photographs copyright MummyTravels
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