Helona Beach Holidays

Helona Beach keeps its head down on the southeast side of Kos. This hushed little place has just a sprinkling of shops and tavernas, all neatly topped by hike-friendly rolling hills. Things look equally good down at the beach, where a ribbon of fine white sand looks across to Nissyros Island. There’s an altogether relaxed vibe here, but although you’d never know it, the very lively Kardamena is just up the road.

Helona Beach has a real ace up its sleeve – and that’s the cotton-white soft sands that dip gently into the sparkling sea. Sunloungers and umbrellas are here to hire, and snacks and drinks come courtesy of the hotel bars behind the beach. When you want to ring the changes, Kardamena comes with a 3-kilometre strip – it’s good for a spot of fishing from the sands.

Peace reigns at Helona Beach, but Kardamena – just 5 minutes’ drive away – holds all the nightlife cards. It’s pretty much the liveliest place on the island and comes with karaoke, cocktail bars, quizzes and clubs. The pair are so close, it’s easy to dip between the two.

You can be at the capital, Kos Town, in 40 minutes. Two major sights to tick off are the waterfront 15th-century castle and, next to it, the Plane Tree of Hippocrates – it’s a big one, with a 13-metre trunk circumference. The main square is good for a lunch stop, after which the cobbled backstreets are the place to go for boutiques filled with local ceramics, jewellery and leather goods.