Kos holidays

Kos has a rich history which is reflected in its food. Making the best of fresh local produce and heavily influenced by both traditional Greek and Turkish cuisine seafood is the main ingredient in coastal regions whilst you will find goat, sheep and cheese dishes as you move inland. The wide diversity of flora on the island, provides an abundant supply of nectar for a thriving bee population and Kos is renowned for flavoursome and aromatic honey. We recommend that you seek out and try some of these classic foods during your stay on Kos: spinach and rice, which is a traditional staple and as simple as it sounds but packed with flavour, stuffed tomatoes and octopus is a little bit more adventurous but delicious and no visit would be complete without sampling the Greek honey doughnuts called loukoumades.

During your trip to Kos you will undoubtedly encounter the anise-flavoured spirit Ouzo. Found in almost every bar and taverna it is used as an accompaniment to meze and small plates of food as well as an aperitif. For real authenticity we urge you to seek out one of the small family run tavernas in the centre of the island where you will be able to sample some locally brewed Ouzos. Kos bars are also well known for great tasting cocktails made with local fruit such as the orange and pineapple Mai Tai or a sweet and sour Margarita full of freshly squeezed lemon juice. The island also has a strong brewing culture with many locally made craft beers on offer as well as the very popular Mythos brand.

Kos has a strong culture of music and dance reflecting its long and varied past. Influences from Hellenistic, Byzantian and Ottoman eras can be identified in the traditional songs and dances of the island and popular instruments still used today at weddings and festivals include the violin, lute and lire as well as the tsabouna, a type of bagpipe and a reed pipe called a piniauli. People on Kos love a good song and will compose verses about religion, family, agriculture, the seasons and almost any other part of their daily lives and at weddings it is still traditional to sing songs written especially for the bride and groom. The most common dance on Kos is the sianos. Meaning slow, it consists of seven steps danced by men and women holding on to each other with crossed arms as they move in a circle. Completely opposite is the fast-paced sousta which involves rapid movements and leaps into the air.

Kos has no truly home-grown or unique sport, but there is a definite love of outdoor activities and, of course, a passion for football, which can be seen on TV in many of the island's bars. All the usual water-based activities can be enjoyed, including windsurfing and kite surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving. A well established sailing community also exists, taking advantage of the proximity of many of the neighbouring islands. For those who prefer to stay on land, you'll find plenty of well-established and well-maintained walking and hiking trails to explore.

While Kos has a few small shopping centres, it has no shops or malls to speak of. As you would expect, the tourist market is well stocked and you will find many small markets and souvenir shops selling local products such as olive oils and honey, as well as jewellery, leather goods and perfumes. You'll also find workshops where you can choose from a range of metals and semi-precious stones and have them custom-made into rings, earrings and pendants. If you're looking for souvenirs, be aware that shops generally close on Sundays and between 1pm and 5pm during the summer months. It can also be difficult to find places that accept payment cards, unless it's a food supermarket, so don't forget to take cash with you.