Kos is one of those islands that keeps surprising you. You think you’ve found the best beach, then you round a corner and there’s another one, even better, completely empty at 9am. The island has dozens of beaches — long sandy ones, hidden coves, thermal spring beaches that bubble up warm water from the seabed — and the only way to properly do them justice is with your own hire car. Public buses get you to a few of the main ones. But the good ones? The ones where you’re not surrounded by 400 people from the same resort? You need wheels for those.

Here’s a proper guide to the best beaches in Kos you can reach by car — with real details on how to get there, where to park, what the road’s like, and when to go.

Paradise Beach (Paradeisos)

The name is a bit much, but honestly, it earns it. Paradise Beach sits on the south-west coast, tucked between rocky headlands in a sheltered cove. The sand is soft and pale, the water is the kind of clear turquoise that makes you stop and stare, and it doesn’t get anywhere near as packed as the resort beaches further north.

To get there from Kos Town, head west along the southern coastal road towards Kefalos. You’ll pass through Kardamena and continue following signs for Kefalos. About 3km before Kefalos village, you’ll see a sign for Paradise Beach on your left. The turnoff drops you down a narrow road for about 1km. It’s tarmac the whole way but tight in places — just take it slow. Standard hire car is perfectly fine, no need for 4WD.

Parking is a small flat area at the bottom, free and informal. There are two or three tavernas at the beach, basic but decent. Best time to arrive: morning, before 10am. The afternoon sun hits it well too, but it gets busy after lunch. Combine it with Agios Stefanos just 10 minutes further west and you’ve got a brilliant morning sorted.

Tigaki Beach

If Kos had a greatest hits album, Tigaki would be track one. Nine kilometres of golden sand on the north coast, shallow calm water that’s perfect if you’ve got kids, and enough space that even in August you can find a quiet spot. It’s not a secret — there are sunbed rentals, beach bars, a couple of proper restaurants — but it never feels overcrowded the way resort beaches like Kardamena do.

Getting there from Kos Airport is simple: about a 20-minute drive, heading east along the main road then following signs north to Tigaki village. From Kos Town it’s about 30 minutes west. There’s a free car park right behind the beach — large, well-organised, no issues finding a spot except in the very peak of August. The road all the way is main-road quality, flat and easy.

Pro tip: the crowds thin out considerably towards the western end of the beach. Walk 15-20 minutes from the car park and you’ll find stretches where it’s just you and maybe three other couples. Morning light here is fantastic — the beach faces north so you get good light all day, but early morning it’s particularly calm and golden. Best for families and anyone who wants facilities without chaos.

Marmari Beach

Marmari often gets overlooked because it sits between the more famous Tigaki to the east and Mastichari to the west. That’s exactly why it’s worth going. It’s a long, wide beach with fewer facilities than its neighbours — less sunbed rental infrastructure, fewer tourist restaurants — but the beach itself is as good as anything on the island. The sand is powdery, the water is shallow and clear, and on a weekday in July you can still find stretches with almost nobody on them.

From Kos Airport, follow the main road west. Marmari is signposted about 5-6km west of Tigaki. The road down to the beach is straight and well-maintained. Parking is free, with a large informal area just behind the beach. There’s a small village behind it with a handful of tavernas — nothing fancy but perfectly good for lunch.

The beach runs for several kilometres and connects almost seamlessly with Tigaki at the east end. If you’re doing a beach-hopping day, Marmari to Mastichari in the morning is a brilliant combination — both on the same road, barely 10 minutes apart.

Mastichari Beach

This is the one we always end up recommending when people ask us to pick a favourite. Mastichari doesn’t try too hard. It’s a long, sandy, north-facing beach with calm water, a proper fishing harbour, a few good tavernas serving actual Greek food rather than tourist-trap stuff, and an atmosphere that feels more authentic than most of Kos’s more developed beaches. There are sunbeds if you want them, but plenty of free sand if you don’t.

It’s also the departure point for ferries to Kalymnos — you can see the island across the water on a clear day — so there’s a pleasant bustle around the harbour in the mornings. From Kos Airport, it’s about a 15-minute drive west, making it one of the easiest beaches to reach straight after landing. Turn off the main road at the Mastichari sign and follow it straight to the water. Parking is free and plentiful.

The road there is entirely main-road standard. No 4WD required, no drama. If you only have one day in Kos and want to hit the beach straight from the airport, Mastichari is the call.

Kefalos Beach (Kamari)

Kefalos, or Kamari as it’s sometimes called, sits at the far western end of Kos — a long, sweeping crescent of beach backed by the dramatic ruins of a Byzantine basilica and with views across to the small island of Kastri, with its tiny white chapel perched on top. It’s arguably the most photogenic beach on Kos, and it’s also genuinely good for swimming — the water stays clear and calm even when there’s a breeze.

Getting there from Kos Town is about 40-45 minutes along the southern coast road. The drive itself is part of the experience — up and over hills, through little villages, past the ruins of the ancient city of Antimachia. It’s a proper island drive. Parking near the beach is free and easy. Several tavernas line the beachfront, some of them excellent — worth having lunch here rather than rushing back.

The road is good quality all the way, no issues for a standard hire car. Best time to visit is mid-morning to afternoon. The beach faces south so the sun is with you all day. Combine it with a stop at Paradise Beach on the way back east and you’ve got a full day sorted.

Agios Stefanos Beach

Just around the headland from Kefalos beach is Agios Stefanos — a smaller, quieter cove with an added historical bonus: the ruins of two early Christian basilicas right on the beach. It’s one of those places where you’re lying on the sand looking at ancient columns and thinking this is why you come to Greece. The beach itself is pebbly rather than sandy, but the water is extraordinarily clear, and it’s rarely crowded.

From Kefalos beach, it’s about 5 minutes by car. There’s a small free car park. A short walk down brings you to the beach. The ruins are right there, unenclosed, free to walk around. It’s not a beach for sunbeds and cocktails — it’s a beach for swimming in clear water and sitting among ancient stones. Very different vibe to the resort beaches, and all the better for it.

No 4WD needed, the road is fine for any car. Best time: morning or late afternoon when the light catches the ruins nicely and the crowds haven’t yet arrived from the Kefalos tavernas.

Psalidi Beach and Thermal Springs

Psalidi is a bit of a contradiction. It’s close to Kos Town — only about 5km east along the coast road — which means it should be overrun. It’s not. The beach is pebbly and long, not the soft sand of Tigaki, which probably explains the lighter crowds. But the real reason to come here is the thermal springs: volcanic hot water bubbles up from the seabed near the shoreline, creating warm patches in the sea that feel almost bath-like. It’s genuinely unusual and worth experiencing at least once.

Follow the coastal road east from Kos Town. The road is good, and Psalidi is well-signposted. There’s a thermal spa complex near the beach if you want the full experience — proper pools, treatments, the works. But the sea-spring experience is free; just wade in near the rocky shoreline and you’ll find the warm patches. Parking is easy. Best in cooler weather when the contrast between warm spring water and the air temperature is more dramatic. In midsummer it’s still interesting, just less surprising.

Mastichari to the Salt Flats — An Unexpected Detour

While you’re in the Mastichari area, it’s worth noting the salt flats just inland. In spring and autumn these are home to flamingos — a genuinely surreal sight, bright pink birds wading in shallow salt water against a backdrop of windmills. In summer they’re quieter, but the landscape is still striking. Pull over at the viewing area, spend 10 minutes, then carry on to the beach. It adds nothing to the driving time and it’s one of those things you’ll be glad you saw.

How to Do a Beach-Hopping Day Trip in Kos

The brilliant thing about Kos is that the distances are short enough that you can genuinely visit three beaches in a day without spending more time driving than swimming. Here’s a route that works well:

Start early at Mastichari, about an hour before the tour buses arrive. Swim, grab a coffee at the harbour, watch the ferry to Kalymnos depart. Leave by 10am. Drive 20 minutes west to Kefalos. Swim, walk along the beach, visit the basilica ruins at Agios Stefanos. Have lunch at one of the beachfront tavernas — the grilled fish is reliably good. Then head to Paradise Beach, 10 minutes from Kefalos. The afternoon sun is ideal here and the water will be at its warmest. Stay until 5pm or so.

In the evening, drive north to Zia village for sunset. It’s about 40 minutes from Kefalos, winding up into the mountains. Have dinner up there with views across the whole island, then drive back to wherever you’re staying in the dark — it’s not complicated, there’s only one main road. Total driving for the day: maybe an hour and a half spread across the whole day. That’s a reasonable price for seeing three genuinely different beaches and a mountain village sunset.

Practical Notes on Driving to Kos Beaches

The main coastal road from Kos Town to Kefalos is well-maintained and easy to drive. None of the beaches in this guide require a 4WD vehicle — a standard economy hire car handles everything. Where roads get narrow (the approach to Paradise Beach, for instance), just go slow and you’ll be fine.

Parking at most Kos beaches is free. In peak summer, the main beaches fill up early — aim to arrive before 10am if you want a good spot without circling. Most beach car parks are informal — find a flat piece of ground and park sensibly. Nobody’s going to ticket you for being slightly creative about it near a Kos beach.

The roads on the north coast (Tigaki, Marmari, Mastichari) are notably flatter and straighter than the southern road towards Kefalos, which involves more hills and bends. Both are perfectly fine to drive — the south road is just more scenic and requires a bit more attention on the corners.

Pick up your hire car at Kos Airport and you can be on the beach within 20 minutes of landing, which is genuinely one of the great pleasures of arriving on a Greek island. You can also pick up from Tigaki, Kefalos, or Mastichari if you’re already in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which beach in Kos is best for families?

Tigaki and Mastichari are the best family options — both have long stretches of shallow, calm water and good facilities. Tigaki is slightly more developed; Mastichari has a more authentic, village-harbour feel.

Do I need a 4WD to reach any beaches in Kos?

No. All the beaches in this guide are accessible in a standard economy hire car. Paradise Beach has a narrow approach road but it’s tarmac and manageable for any vehicle. The only beach on Kos where a 4WD genuinely helps is Agios Theologos at the extreme western tip, and only in dry season.

Are Kos beaches free to access?

Beach access is free everywhere in Greece. Sunbed and umbrella rental costs roughly €8-15 per set at most beaches, but you can always use your own towel on free sand — there’s always plenty of it.

What’s the most secluded beach in Kos accessible by car?

Agios Stefanos next to Kefalos is quiet even in peak season. For something even more off the beaten track, drive to the end of the road at Agios Theologos at the far western tip — it’s dramatic and scenic even if it’s more shingle than sand.

Can I visit multiple beaches in one day?

Absolutely. With a hire car, doing three beaches in a day is very achievable. The island is small, the roads are good, and you won’t spend more than 20-30 minutes driving between any two beaches on this list.