Planning a day trip to Kos island? This Bodrum to Kos day trip itinerary has everything you need to have the perfect trip!
Kos is one of the most popular day trips from Bodrum, and it’s no wonder why. The island is steeped in Greek, Ottoman, and even Italian history; it offers a nice mix of culture and beaches; and the atmosphere is absolutely charming. 🥰
(It’s no surprise that more than 1 million tourists annually visit this sunny island of 38,000 residents.)
A few more fun facts: Kos is the third biggest island in the Dodecanese, it was the birthplace of famous physician Hippocrates, and it was even mentioned in the Iliad.
There are plenty of things to do in Kos, even if you’re just visiting on a day trip from Bodrum — you can wander around ancient archaeological sites (some more than a thousand years old!), taste delicious seafood, relax on kilometers of sandy beaches, soak in thermal hot springs, and the list goes on…
This blog post has everything you need to know about the best way to spend a day in Kos, Including how to get to the island, the top things to do on a Bodrum to Kos day trip, what you need to know before you go, and much more.
Let’s get started!
What to Know Before Your Bodrum to Kos Day Trip
About this itinerary
This Kos travel itinerary primarily focuses on Kos center, since you only have about 7 hours from arrival to departure. We’ve also added a few alternative options at the end of the itinerary (under the section If you have more time …) in case you’d like to switch out our suggestions for something else.
Is it worth going to Kos from Bodrum?
Yes! Going on a day trip to Kos is one of the most popular things to do in Bodrum and one of the top things to do in our 10+ Day Trips From Bodrum Guide.
Let us tell you why…
Why visit Kos?
🧿 Convenient and direct transport — There are direct ferries from Bodrum to Kos, and the crossing takes 45 minutes or less (depending if you take the ferry or express catamaran). No annoying transfers or layovers!
🧿 Easy to see — A good majority of Kos’ tourist attractions are located in the center (just a short walk from the ferry terminal), which means you can easily see the most important sites in a few hours. As a nice bonus, Kos is mostly flat (no hills!) and you can also rent a bike to see more of the island.
🧿 Something for everyone — Whether you’re looking for history, architecture, pretty cobblestone streets, beaches, or simply a relaxing getaway from the bustle of Bodrum, you’ll find it at Kos. 🙂
Where is Kos?
Kos island is located in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea and is part of Greece’s Dodecanese island chain. It’s one of the islands that’s furthest away from mainland Greece (along with Kastellorizo, Rhodes, etc).
The distance between Bodrum and Kos is only about 24 km (40 mi), which is why it’s such a popular day trip.
Helpful Kos Travel Tips
🛂 Bring your passport and check if you need a visa — We can’t stress this enough — you’re going to crossing an international border and a passport is required to enter Greece.
Likewise, check if you need a visa. Since Greece is part of the Schengen zone, you’ll either fall under the visa-free scheme (if your passport is USA, AUS, the UK, etc) or you’ll need a valid Schengen visa to enter.
📆 Try to avoid traveling to Kos on a Tuesday. Most museums are closed on this day, and you’ll miss out on some interesting places. However, if Tuesday is your only option, then don’t worry too much — Kos has plenty of other interesting things to do!
💬 English is widely spoken. Since the island is very popular with British and European vacationers, practically everyone speaks English.
⏰ Note the time difference (in winter)! It’s important to note that Greece is one hour behind Turkey during the winter (Greece changes clocks, Türkiye doesn’t). Take this into consideration when on the island so you don’t miss your boat back to Bodrum!
📱 Your Turkish SIM card will not work in Kos. Believe us, we tried twice (and both times our internet stopped working once we crossed the border 😁). We recommend buying a cheap eSIM package on Airalo so you can stay connected and get around easily. Packages start at only a few Euros, so no need to spend tons of money on an extra SIM card 🙂
Getting From Bodrum to Kos: The Ferry
Before we start checking out the tourist attractions in Kos, you’ll need to get to the island first! 😉
Thankfully, there’s a direct ferry from Bodrum to Kos. It’s fast (less than an hour), convenient, and budget-friendly (there are special day trip tickets).
In fact, we recommend taking advantage of the Day Trip ticket (also called Same Day Return), where you leave in the morning and come back later on the same day. You’ll typically depart at 9:00 in the morning and return to Bodrum around 18:00, which gives you 7 to 8 hours to explore Kos (depending on wait times at passport control and so on).
There are three departure points from Bodrum: Bodrum Castle, Turgutreis, and Bodrum Cruise Port. The most popular is from Bodrum Castle, since it’s right in the center of Bodrum and the most accessible for tourists. You can choose which departure point is easiest for you. 🙂
You can buy tickets online or in-person. We recommend buying tickets ahead of time, especially if you’re traveling in the summer (like we mentioned, it’s a very popular day trip!)
Tickets cost around 30 to 35 EUR per person (round-trip).
We wrote an entire blog post about the Bodrum Kos ferry, which covers everything you need to know about the trip, including the ferry schedule, prices, what’s it like onboard, and much more. We highly recommend giving it a quick read so you can familiarize yourself with the ferry trip (plus, we shared a few travel hacks to make your trip more comfortable!).
Kos Day Trip Itinerary
Now it’s time for the fun part — looking at what to do in Kos! We’ve broken down this itinerary into bite-sized sections so that it’s easier to read and navigate. Let’s get started. 🙂
MORNING: Delicious Breakfast & Ancient Ruins
Time to travel! Be sure to get to the ferry terminal at least an hour before your ferry is set to depart. After disembarking and going through passport control, we’ll start our itinerary.
If you’re hungry, here are some cafes that we recommend for breakfast:
🥞 More Cafe — Located a 10-minute stroll from the terminal, the menu has a nice mix of Greek and European dishes, and there’s even a page dedicated to breakfast! The employees here are super nice as well. If you’re still sleepy from the ferry ride, order the frappe for a delicious burst of energy. 🙂 Location →
🥪 Coffee House — Just a 2-minute walk from the ferry terminal is this unassuming yet super friendly cafe. It opens at 6:30 in the morning (!) and serves delicious coffee along with quick snacks (sandwiches, croissants, pastries, etc). Location →
🍏 Vitamin Bar — Prefer something a little healthier? Vitamin Bar has smoothies, juices, bowls, salads, sandwiches, and vegan/vegetarian options. Location →
🧆 Mom’s Kitchen — A sweet family-run restaurant set in a garden terrace. Definitely try the moussaka! The restaurant opens at 10:00 in the morning, which is perfect for a late breakfast or ealy brunch. Location →
After breakfast, walk over to the Roman Odeon of Kos. It’s best to visit this landmark first (in the morning) because it’s an open-air theater and can get very hot after midday. This large theater was built sometime around the 2nd century (AD) and excavated in the early 1900s.
The odeon (also spelled odeum) was used as an open-air entertainment venue for events such as music concerts and festivals, senate hearings, gladiator fights, and so on. Interestingly, the first nine rows (made out of marble) were the ‘VIP seats’ for important people, while the other rows (made out of granite) were for regular citizens.
While you’re here, be sure to go “inside” the theater (there are doors on either side). You’ll find a few information placards talking about the history of odeums, the excavation process, and other interesting tidbits.
From the theater, it’s a short walk over to Casa Romana. Translated to ‘Roman House,’ this restored archaeological site is an interesting look inside the life of a wealthy family. The original site was constructed during the Hellenistic era, and was built over by another house during the Roman era (late 2nd century AD).
There are 36 rooms in total, as well as 3 atriums (open-air spaces). As mentioned before, the house belonged to a wealthy family, which is evident in the beautiful mosaics (our favorite part of the house!), marble statues, altars to gods and goddesses, and, of course, the sheer size of the villa. 🙂
It took us about 45 minutes to go through all of the rooms, take photos, and read the information placards — you could probably spend between 25 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace.
The fee is 6 EUR per person (there is a discount for children and seniors). You can also buy a combo ticket to the Asklepieion + Archaeological Museum + Casa Romana for 15 EUR. Closed Tuesdays.
From Casa Romana, walk east. You can make a quick stop at the Altar of Dionysus before turning left and heading towards the Ancient Agora. It’s free to enter the ruins, which was originally built as an altar dedicated to the god of wine. Interestingly, parts of the altar were taken and used in the construction of Kos Castle during the 1500s.
After a five-minute walk towards the harbor, you’ll arrive at the Ancient Agora. Although nowadays it consists of ruins, this area was once the bustling commercial and social center of Kos! According to excavation documents, the agora had three main streets filled with market stalls and workshops.
Now that we’ve explored some of Kos’ most important historical landmarks and ruins, let’s move onto the next part of our day.
AFTERNOON: History, Archaeology, and Charming Streets
Did you know that Hippocrates, the ‘father of medicine,’ was born on Kos island? Although he spent many years of his adult life traveling and practicing medicine, he came back to Kos in his later years to establish a medical school and teach students.
One of the best-known examples of his legacy is the Plane Tree of Hippocrates, which was where Hippocrates allegedly taught his students. Interestingly, the tree you see now isn’t the original tree (it’s only 500 years old, while Hippocrates lived more than 2,400 years ago). However, some experts believe it’s possibly a descendant of the original tree. Nearby is a statue dedicated to the father of medicine.
Fun fact: The international airport on Kos island is named after Hippocrates. 🙂
A short 5-minute walk from the plane tree is one of Kos’ most popular tourist attractions — the Archaeological Museum of Kos.
The museum holds hundreds of artifacts and remnants from Kos’ history, including exhibits from the Ancient Agora, Altar of Dionysus, Casa Romana, and other archaeological sites on the island. The museum is especially known for its sculptures and mosaics — don’t miss the beautiful work of the Sitting Hermes statue.
It took us about an hour to go through the exhibits. Entrance is 6 EUR per person (there is a discount for children and seniors). You can also buy a combo ticket to the Asklepieion + Archaeological Museum + Casa Romana for 15 EUR. Closed Tuesdays.
Practically opposite the museum is Ifestou Street. This is the best place to go souvenir shopping in Kos (or simply enjoy a stroll and some window shopping!) Most people typically head straight towards this street after disembarking, but by waiting a few hours and coming later, you’ll practically have the whole street to yourself 🙂
Some traditional souvenirs from Kos include olive oil, honey, natural sea sponges (almost every store has a basket), soap, and komboloi (worry beads).
BEFORE DEPARTURE: Lunch & A Seaside Stroll
You’ve probably worked up an appetite from walking around and checking out all of the interesting places in Kos, so let’s stop for some lunch before we finish our trip.
Here are some of our favorite restaurants in Kos:
🍗 Noah’s Ark — This restaurant off of the main promenade is run by an Armenian chef and his family (he has over 30 years of experience and some really interesting stories!) and is a great mix of Greek and Eastern European dishes. However, the real stars are the delicious grilled meats and kebabs! If you’re really interested in the process, the owner will even show you what’s available for the day and you can pick your own meat to grill. This is the place we always stop at when we travel to Kos. 🙂
Location →
🐟 Barbouni — Amazing seafood overlooking the sea! Do note that it opens a bit later than other restaurants (at 13:30). Location →
🍝 Istros — While it’s a 15 to 20-minute walk from the center of Kos, this is an absolute gem of a restaurant that’s well-worth the trip! The staff are so friendly and the food is delicious. The menu has a good variety of meats, seafood, local dishes, and even a separate vegan section. Keep in mind that it opens after 14:00. Location →
Other recommendations include Ali Restaurant (a nice mix of Greek and Turkish dishes), Yorgo Fish Restaurant (seafood, the calamari is especially good), and Gelateria Carino for desserts!
After eating lunch, it’s time to leisurely stroll around Kos’ waterfront. The rest of this itinerary will be relaxed and unhurried, so feel free to go at your own pace.
While walking around the seaside promenade, you can show your love by taking a photo of the “I ♥︎ Kos” sign.
If you walk a little further inland, you’ll arrive at Eleftherias Central Square. This open-air square has a handful of cafes (perfect for relaxing and people watching!), as well as the municipal market.
On the far end of the square is the Church of Agia Paraskevi, with its beautiful light blue domes on the outside and colorful frescos on the inside.
On the other end of the square is Defterdar Mosque, which was built in the late 1700s by the Ottoman Sultan’s Minister of Finance. Although it’s unfortunately closed (it was damaged in the 2017 earthquake), you can see some of the lovely architectural details from the outside.
Last but certainly not least, we have Nerantzia Castle (also known as the Castle of the Knights or simply Kos Castle). While the castle is usually the first place to visit on any Kos itinerary, it is unfortunately closed for the time being due to restoration efforts (as of April 2024). However, you can walk around the castle walls and enjoy the beautiful architecture while we tell you more about its history. 😉
The castle was originally built in the 14th century by the Knights Hospitallers, and interestingly, took remains of ancient buildings on the island and used them when constructing the castle (for example, stones from the Altar of Dionysus mentioned above). The castle’s architecture is also something unique — since it took more than a century to build, you can see different influences from various styles and time periods.
Once you’ve explored the island, it’s time to make your way back to the ferry terminal! It’s best to be there about an hour before departure to make sure you have enough time to go through passport control. There’s also a duty free shop in case you’d like to make any final purchases.
Have a bon voyage back to Bodrum!
If you have more time…
Wait wait, we’re not done just yet. 😁
We wrote this bonus section in case you want to switch any of the places mentioned above (i.e. you’re not that interested in museums) or plan to travel beyond Kos’ center.
Here are some alternative ideas for your Kos itinerary:
🏖️ Relax on the beach — Besides being the birthplace of Hippocrates, Kos is famous for its long, sandy beaches (perhaps they have healing properties too? 😁)
There are a handful of beaches near the center, including Lambi (a short 15-minute walk) and Paradiso Beach (an 8-minute taxi ride / only 5 EUR per sunbed).
🌊 Rejuvenate at the famous Thermal Springs — Just a 20-minute taxi drive from the center is this unique natural phenomenon — a pool thermal springs that meets the sea! The water is a hot 40 C (122 F) and is rumored to have healing properties, especially for the skin. Be sure to wear comfortable footwear, as the trek down to the beach/springs is a bit steep. Location →
Explore the Ancient Asklepieon — Located just a few kilometers above Kos center, the Asklepieon was an ancient health ‘resort’ (similar to a sanatorium) that was dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. People came from all over Greece and the surrounding areas to seek treatment, which was based on the teaching of Hippocrates. The area has some well-preserved ruins, as well as a small museum. Location →
Planning to stay longer in Kos?
If you fell in love with Kos and realized one day isn’t enough, why not stay overnight? As a bonus, you’ll get the island to yourself if you wake up early enough — before the tourist crowds come off the ferry! 😉
Here are some of the best hotels on Kos island:
Maritina Hotel — An excellent choice if you’re looking for a hotel, Maritina offers a variety of spacious rooms (some have balconies overlooking ancient ruins!), as well as complimentary breakfast, a bar and restaurant, and a rooftop pool.
📍 Albergo Gelsomino — An exceptional 5-star hotel with plush rooms, friendly staff, and rooms with sea views. The aptly name restaurant (Gelsomino) is one of our favorite places to get dinner (the seabass is *chefs kiss*)!
📍 Casa Vecchia — Want to live like a local? Here’s your chance 🙂 This apartment rental is housed inside a beautifully-restored Italian building from the 1930s and includes city views, 2 bedrooms, and a balcony.
📍 La Casa Degli Archi — Seriously a stunning architectural masterpiece! From the gorgeous colors to the masterful accents, this one-bedroom house feels more like a boutique hotel than a vacation rental.
📍 Attico Blu Sea View Penthouse — The creme de la creme! If you want to go all out and reserve a luxury accommodation in Kos, this is definitely it. Just the views of the ocean make it worth it. 😍
Click here to see all accommodations and hotels in Kos, Greece →
Photo credits: Hotel photos via respective hotels