Kos is the third largest island of the Dodecanese has much to off the traveller. Its reputation as an island filled with package holidaymakers isn’t unfounded, but there is still plenty there to lure those looking for history, culture and architecture. It will take some effort to get away from the back-to-back hotels and rowdy tourists, but it isn’t impossible, and the wonderful, green scenery, great beaches and tourist friendly nature of the island makes it a stress free place to go.

Around the rest of the island are many great beaches, the further you stray from Kos Town the less touristy the island becomes. Mastihari on the island’s west coast is testament to this and secluded beaches are in easy reach. From here, one can catch tourist boats to Pserimos, a small off the coast, popular with day-trippers.

At the southern most tip of the island are the towns of Kamari and Kefalos, both are great places to get away from the crowds. At nearby Agios Stefanos there is a small church on an island swimming distance from the shore. The south of Kos has many small delights such as these. The mountains at the centre of the island also have great trekking potential and wonderful views of Aegean sunsets.