Where to stay in Kos
Kos airport sits at Antimachia, about 24 km from Kos Town and about 7 km from Mastichari and Kardamena. Choose between the town and its beaches in the north-east, the resorts near the airport, or the quiet south-west.
Last checked
How the areas differ
Kos Town is the island's capital, with the castle of Neratzia, Palm Tree Avenue, the Plane Tree of Hippocrates and the ancient sites within walking distance, and bike lanes along the coast. Lambi continues the town to the north-west with sandy beaches, and Psalidi, 4 to 5 km east, is a seaside settlement of hotels and seafood taverns.
On the north coast, Tigaki, 11 km from the town, has boutique hotels, apart-hotels, guest houses and resorts along its side streets, and its beach runs for about 10 km; Marmari, 15 km west of the town, has a mix of accommodation. Mastichari, north of Antimachia, is the harbour for Kalymnos and Pserimos.
Kardamena, on the south coast, has grown from a fishing village into a popular resort with 6 km of sandy coast. Kefalos, at the south-western end, splits between Kamari on the coast and the traditional village on the hill.
Staying with a rental car
Distances first. By road, the airport is about 7 km from Mastichari and Kardamena, about 12 km from Marmari, about 15 km from Kamari, about 16 km from Tigaki, about 24 km from Kos Town and about 28 km from Psalidi.
In Kos Town, the municipal tourism site lists free parking near Casa Romana, within walking distance of the centre, and near the Roman Odeon in the heart of the town, plus a free car park at the Asklepieion about 3.4 km away. We found no official source on paid or controlled street parking, so ask the host whether a space comes with the booking.
For the resorts we found no official parking source either. The Kefalos hill village has narrow alleys, so settle where the car goes before arrival. In Mastichari the boats to Kalymnos leave from the harbour; check whether the rental agreement allows the car on board. For the roads and the rules, GetCar's guide Driving in Kos goes further.
What the tourist tax and registration rules mean for a guest
Greece charges a climate crisis resilience fee per night and per room or property, and the guest pays it before departure. Article 44 of the Code of indirect taxes (Law 5177/2025) sets the amounts, unchanged in the consolidated text of May 2026, and none of them differs by island. From April to October a short-term rental pays EUR 8 a night, or EUR 15 for a detached house over 80 m2, rented rooms EUR 2, tourist furnished residences EUR 8, or EUR 15 from 80 m2, tourist villas EUR 15, and hotels EUR 2 to EUR 15 by stars. From November to March short-term rentals and tourist residences pay EUR 2 or EUR 4, villas EUR 4 and hotels EUR 0.50 to EUR 4.
Hotels and professional hosts also charge the municipal visitor fee on the rent of stays under six months, which the guest pays: 0.5% under national law, and private hosts who let one or two properties do not charge it. For 2026 the Kos council kept the fee at 0.75% for hotels and extended the 0.75% rate to rooms to let and short-term rentals, in decision 173/2025 of 12 November 2025.
Every short-term rental must show its 11-digit property registry number, the AMA, on every platform and advert; licensed properties show a 16-digit ΕΣΛ or a 7-digit ΜΑΓ number instead. Since 1 October 2025, Law 5170/2025 has required smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, a guide to emergency numbers and civil liability insurance, with a EUR 5,000 fine for a host who fails the rules.
When to book what
Book the base around the flights. Mastichari and Kardamena are about ten minutes from the terminal by road, while Kos Town and Psalidi take about 40. For day trips to Kalymnos, a Mastichari base saves the drive to the port.
The fee drops from November to March, when a short-term rental pays EUR 2 a night instead of EUR 8. Psalidi, the municipality notes, is quieter in winter and livelier in summer. Compare prices on this page before booking.
Which area for which trip
City life, the castle and the ancient sites: Kos Town.
A beach hotel with the town a bike ride away: Psalidi or Lambi.
Long sandy beaches and families: Tigaki and Marmari.
A short airport transfer and day trips to Kalymnos: Mastichari.
A resort with nightlife: Kardamena.
Quiet beaches and sunsets at the far end: Kefalos and Kamari.
Questions
Is it better to stay in Kos Town or in a resort?
Kos Town for the castle, the ancient sites and restaurants on foot, with Lambi beach about 2 km away. A resort such as Tigaki, Kardamena or Kefalos for a beach holiday, with the car for trips to the town.
Which Kos resort is closest to the airport?
Mastichari and Kardamena, both about 7 km by road. Marmari is about 12 km away, Tigaki about 16 km and Kos Town about 24 km.
How much is the climate fee for an apartment in Kos?
A short-term rental pays EUR 8 a night from April to October and EUR 2 from November to March, or EUR 15 and EUR 4 for a detached house over 80 m2. Licensed rented rooms pay EUR 2 and EUR 0.50.
Can a rental car go on the ferry to Kalymnos?
That depends on the rental agreement, so check it before choosing a Mastichari base for Kalymnos trips. The boats leave from Mastichari and take under an hour.
Is there paid parking in Kos Town?
We found no official source on paid or controlled street parking. The municipal tourism site lists free parking near Casa Romana and the Roman Odeon, and at the Asklepieion.