Holiday in Kardamena

Beach in Greece — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇬🇷

Country

Greece

Type

Beach

Best time to travel

May to October, June to September ideal for beach and nightlife, spring and autumn quieter and mild

Budget/day

65-120 € (beach hotel, restaurant, boat tour)

Getting there from Germany

Flight to Kos about 3 hours, transfer to Kardamena only about 15 minutes from the airport

What makes Kardamena special as a destination?

Kardamena is the second largest town on the Greek island of Kos and a popular beach resort that combines guaranteed sunshine, an endless sandy beach, and a lively nightlife into an attractive overall package. The former fishing village on the southern coast of the island has developed into the main holiday destination next to Kos Town, offering a perfect mix of beach holiday, water sports, and Greek hospitality, without losing the personal atmosphere of a small coastal community. The beach of Kardamena stretches for several kilometers of golden sand along the southern coast and gently slopes into the warm, clear water. The sheltered location on the south side of the island ensures calm seas and minimal wind - a contrast to the windy northern coast, making Kardamena particularly popular with families with small children. Numerous sections are organized with sunbeds and umbrellas, while natural spots invite exploration in between. The center of Kardamena thrives on its relaxed holiday atmosphere. During the day, visitors stroll along the promenade, enjoy Freddo Cappuccino in the cafes, and shop in the small boutiques. In the evening, Bar Street transforms into a lively nightlife area with cocktail bars, music, and an international crowd. The party scene is vibrant but smaller and more family-oriented than in Faliraki on Rhodes or Malia on Crete. From Kardamena, boats depart for the volcanic island of Nisyros, one of the most spectacular day trips in the Dodecanese. The still-active volcano with its bubbling crater, the abandoned villages, and the colors of the landscape - sulfur yellow, volcanic black, and Mediterranean green - make the visit unforgettable. The ancient fortress of Antimacheia and the mountain village of Zia with its sunsets over the Aegean Sea are also popular excursion destinations. From Germany, flights to Kos take about three hours, and the transfer to Kardamena takes only 15 minutes.

Beach
85
Safety
85
Families
75
Relaxation
70
Food
60

What are the top highlights in Kardamena?

The top highlights in Kardamena include Kilometerlanger Sandstrand, Bootsausflug zur Vulkaninsel Nisyros, Bar Street - Nachtleben, Strandpromenade Kardamena.

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Kilometerlanger Sandstrand

Golden sand on the sheltered southern coast with calm water and gentle entry, ideal for families

2

Bootsausflug zur Vulkaninsel Nisyros

Active volcano with bubbling crater, sulfur fields, and abandoned villages - the most spectacular day trip in the Dodecanese

3

Bar Street - Nachtleben

Lively yet family-friendly nightlife area with cocktail bars and music, smaller and more personal than the big party destinations

4

Strandpromenade Kardamena

Cozy promenade with cafes, taverns, and boutiques, right by the water with a view of Nisyros

Hotels in Kardamena

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Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

When is the best time to visit Kardamena?

The best time to visit Kardamena is May to October, June to September ideal for beach and nightlife, spring and autumn quieter and mild. Hot and sunny, 28-35°C, water temperature 24-27°C, southern coast sheltered and calm In winter: Mild, 12-16°C, occasional rain, very quiet tourist season, many hotels closed

Recommended travel time

May to October, June to September ideal for beach and nightlife, spring and autumn quieter and mild

Summer

Hot and sunny, 28-35°C, water temperature 24-27°C, southern coast sheltered and calm

Winter

Mild, 12-16°C, occasional rain, very quiet tourist season, many hotels closed

How much does a holiday in Kardamena cost?

Budget travellers: 35-60 € (apartment, tavern, and gyros)/day, mid-range: 65-120 € (beach hotel, restaurant, boat tour)/day, luxury: 130-250 € (all-inclusive resort, private boat trip)/day.

Average costs per person per day

Budget

35-60 € (apartment, tavern, and gyros)

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

Mid-range

65-120 € (beach hotel, restaurant, boat tour)

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

Luxury

130-250 € (all-inclusive resort, private boat trip)

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

How do I get from Germany to Kardamena?

Flight to Kos about 3 hours, transfer to Kardamena only about 15 minutes from the airport

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What travel tips are there for Kardamena?

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Definitely plan a boat trip to Nisyros - the volcanic crater with its sulfur fields is unique

Visit the mountain village of Zia in the evening - the sunsets over the Aegean are legendary

Try Paradise Beach west of Kardamena - quieter and more natural than the main beach

In the evening, prefer the taverns at the harbor over the tourist restaurants on Bar Street - better food, fairer prices

Rent a bike or scooter for the island - Kos is flat and has good bike paths

What should you eat in Kardamena?

Typical specialities in Kardamena: Souvlaki from pork or chicken - the Greek classic, freshly grilled on every corner in Kardamena, Keftedes - Greek meatballs with mint and oregano, crispy fried and served with tzatziki, Grilled Calamari - fresh squid from the grill with lemon, a must in every fish tavern, Fasolada - Greek bean soup, the national dish of simple cuisine, hearty and filling, Portokalopita - juicy Greek orange cake with phyllo dough and sugar syrup.

These specialties you must try!

Souvlaki from pork or chicken - the Greek classic, freshly grilled on every corner in Kardamena
Keftedes - Greek meatballs with mint and oregano, crispy fried and served with tzatziki
Grilled Calamari - fresh squid from the grill with lemon, a must in every fish tavern
Fasolada - Greek bean soup, the national dish of simple cuisine, hearty and filling
Portokalopita - juicy Greek orange cake with phyllo dough and sugar syrup
Suitable for:KosBeachNisyrosVolcanoNightlifeFamilySouthern CoastGreece

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