Essentials
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kos Town (Lambi area) or Kardamena for nightlife/beaches
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Kos Town Center (year-round amenities) or Mastichari for a quieter vibe
- City
- Kos Town, Kos Island, South Aegean, Greece
- Population
- 33,000 (Island-wide)
- Internet Speed
- Average 50-100 Mbps (VDSL/Fiber expansion in Kos Town), Starlink available
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank (Kos Town)
- Tap Water
- Technically safe but high mineral content; bottled or filtered water like 'Zaros' is preferred
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Cosmote (best coverage), Vodafone GR, Nova. Approx €15-€20 for 20GB+
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and Wise widely used; local Alpha Bank for long-term residency
- Accommodation
- Local real estate agents like 'Kos Real Estate', Airbnb, and winter rentals for nomads
- Cashless Friendly
- Very high; POS terminals mandatory in shops and tavernas
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Blue Nest Apartments
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Pelops (approx €30/night), Tigaki’s Star (seasonal deals)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Expat Cowork Kos (Informal networks, often centered at 'The Hub' or shared lobbies)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Global Cafe (Kos Town) - Fast Wi-Fi and plenty of plugs; Cult Cafe
- Networking Events
- Kos Digital Nomad Meetup (Facebook group), events at Marina Kos
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Kos (Limited), 'Expats on Kos' Facebook community
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use 'Taxi Kos' app or radio taxi (+30 22420 23333)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Moto Harley (Kos Town), Ideal Rental. Bikes approx €5-10/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Agios Stefanos Beach (Kefalos) - iconic island/church view
- Top Regional Airline
- Aegean Airlines / Olympic Air
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair, TUI Fly, EasyJet (seasonal May-Oct)
- Highway Access
- Main Island Road connecting Kos Town to Kefalos (approx 45km)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Kos Island International Airport (KGS) 'Hippocrates'
- Public Transport Passes
- KTEL Island Bus; €2-€5 per trip depending on distance
- Regional Travel
- Blue Star Ferries or Dodekanisos Seaways to Rhodes and Kalymnos
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Kos General Hospital 'Hippokrateion' (Hippokratous 32)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Kos (Mastichari), Zen Nature Wellness Center
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- K-Fit Health Club (Kos Town), My Gym Kos
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Room (Eleftheriou Venizelou 15, Kos Town)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt Greece (Available in Kos Town), fagi.gr
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pitaridia (local pasta), Posia (wine-soaked goat cheese)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Ali Restaurant (Middle Eastern/Greek mix), Broadway Restaurant
- Best Dessert Spots
- Ariston Pastry Shop (Kos Town) - try the Baklava
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- AB Vassilopoulos, Lidl (Main road near Zipari)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Skroutz.gr (The Amazon of Greece), Public.gr
- Grocery Delivery
- e-fresh.gr or AB Vassilopoulos online
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Bar Street (Nafklirou Street), Kos Town
- Local Brewery
- KOSMOS Brewery (Local craft beer produced in Kos)
- Wine Bars
- Mylos Beach Bar (High-end wine selection and setting)
- Street Food Stalls
- Lucky's Souvlaki (Kos Town) - €4-€5 for a gyro
- Popular International Cuisine
- Hiroshi (Sushi), Mummy's Cooking (International/Greek)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Plane Tree of Hippocrates, Neratzia Castle
- Museums & Art Venues
- Archaeological Museum of Kos
- Historical Sites
- Asklepieion of Kos (Ancient healing center)
- Religious Sites
- Agios Ioannis (Kefalos), White Church of Kos Town
- Annual Events
- Hippocratia Festival (Summer-long cultural events)
- Cultural Districts
- Platani (The Turkish-Greek heritage village)
- Theater Venues
- Orfeas Outdoor Cinema/Theater
- Local Markets
- Kos Town Central Market (Agora) - Spices and local honey
- Music Scene
- Hammam Club, Sitar Bar (Live Greek and Jazz)
- Street Art
- Limited; mostly near the port and abandoned buildings in suburban Kos
- Cooking Classes
- Local flavors workshops at Melissa Honey Farm (Kefalos)
- Art Galleries
- Kos Art Gallery (Near the port)
- Historic Buildings
- Town Hall (Italian architecture period)
- Local Heritage
- Hippocratic Oath legacy, silk production history
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mount Dikeos (Highest peak, 846m)
- National Parks Nearby
- Psalidi Wetlands (Natura 2000 protected area)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Kos Town to Psalidi coastal bike path (approx 12km flat)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Zia Village (Famous for sunset views)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Alikes Salt Lake (Tigaki) - Flamingos in winter/spring
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Therma Beach (Natural hot springs with beach access)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- ACS Courier, General Logistics (ELTA Porta Porta)
- Tech Repair Services
- Germanos (Kos Town), iRepair local affiliate
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports clubs near the Old Stadium
- Language Classes
- Greek Local Lessons (Private tutors found via Facebook groups)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Kos Municipal Library (Platia Eleftherias)
- Community Centers
- Kos Cultural Center (KAZA)
- Gaming Lounges
- GNET Kos Town
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- OPAP Play (Kos Town)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €72,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €138,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €96,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €176,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €120,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 22%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (residency >183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 44% (on income over €40,000)
- VAT
- 24% (Standard rate), some lower rates on food/pharmaceuticals
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, EU-aligned anti-tax avoidance rules apply
- Property Tax
- ENFIA (Annual tax based on size, location, and age)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% plus notary/legal fees (Total approx 7-10%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 50% income tax exemption for 7 years for eligible foreign arrivals