Kos is a charming Greek island that offers a delightful blend of history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture. One of the best ways to truly experience all that Kos has to offer is by hiring a car and embarking on a day trip to explore it's hidden gems.
We recently visited Kos for a weeks holiday and although we were staying in an all inclusive hotel, we knew that we wanted to head out and spend some time exploring the island. Kos is quite small at only 290 km² but its full of beautiful places and packed with history and culture. We decided that hiring a car for a day would be best for us and meant that we could pack in a number of places to visit and still have plenty of time to relax at our hotel.
We compared cars and prices from a number of companies and decided to go with Autorent Kos. The prices were competitive at €65 for a small car. We enquired about a convertible as i hadn't had the opportunity to drive one before and we managed to get this for €100 including all insurances and no additional deposit required. From the moment that I emailed ,the service that we received was exceptional, Sara responded promptly and was more than happy to offer advice and tips on places to visit during our stay.
We hired the car for the 2nd day of our holiday. In the morning we headed down to the hotel lobby and a member of the Autorent Kos team was waiting for us. We paid in exchange for the keys and the car was waiting for us in the car park. We packed up our things, put the buggy in the boot, put the roof down and set off on our little road trip adventure.
We had planned our itinerary before we travelled so our first stop for the day was the nearby town of Kefalos, a picturesque village perched on a hilltop. We first headed up to the old town, the panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and Kefalos bay from up here are truly stunning. We stopped for breakfast at Zenith Cafe which had great reviews on Trip Advisor and there were lots of local people sat enjoying breakfast or a coffee outside, which is always a good sign. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast and a frappe. The restaurant was clean, the food was delicious and the service we received was great, we couldn't have asked for more.
Continuing our journey, we descended towards the coast and Agios Stefanos beach which is the perfect mix of history and nature. We parked at the entrance to the beach and were greeted by the beautiful views out to the islet of Kastri and the picturesque church of Agios Nikolaos. There were people swimming over to the islet of Kastri, although i'm not brave enough for that. Also situated on the beach is the impressive ancient ruins of a 6th Century Christian Temple, Agios Stefanos. We walked around the ruins and found original mosaic floors, columns and lots of other features, it felt like we'd found a hidden gem, and the beautiful backdrop of the Aegean Sea just tops it off.
We left one beach for another just a short drive along the coast. Paradise beach came highly recommended and i can see why with it's soft golden sand and crystal clear waters. The water is so clear that you can see lots of little fish right by the shore.
Mark and Charlie swarm out to do some snorkeling whilst me and Louie paddled in the sea and played in the sand. The beach itself had plenty of sun loungers that you could hire for the day, we weren't planning on staying long so didn't bother. There was also an open shower by the edge of the car park where you could rinse off the sand.
After a refreshing dip, we ventured inland to Plaka Forest, a serene oasis where peacocks roam freely. The peaceful atmosphere and lush greenery provided a welcome respite from the coastal bustle.
As the day progressed, we set our sights on Kos Town, the island's bustling capital. We explored the ancient ruins of The Roman Odeon, Ancient Hippodrome, Sanctuary of Aphrodite and the Tree of Hippocrates, We browsed the vibrant markets and shops in the old town whilst sampling the local cuisine at charming cafes and tavernas.
We planned our return journey with a stop at Zia, the picturesque village which is renowned for its breathtaking sunset views. We were fortunate enough to secure a table at the renowned Oromedon Restaurant without a reservation just as the sun began its descent. The food was outstanding, and the panoramic vistas of the island as the sun dipped below the horizon were simply unforgettable. Read our review here.
As the evening drew to a close, we strolled through the charming streets of Zia, indulging in delicious ice cream before making our way back to our hotel. Our day trip had been a resounding success, filled with unforgettable experiences and discoveries.
If you're planning a trip to Kos, hiring a car is highly recommended. It offers the freedom to explore the island at your own pace and discover hidden gems that may not be easily accessible by public transportation.
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