My partner and I stayed a little past a week on the island of Kos for the second time May 2025. The first day of flying for Jet 2 to Kos. This is a small blog on the week, thoughts and opinions and things to do and see.
We both really rate the southern town Kefalos, the beach is generally known as Kefalos Beach or bay is actually called Kamari Bay. I say this because some maps show the name of the town by the water as Kamari. Kefalos town is up on a small 'mountain' and you can walk up in 20 -25 minutes which I also recommend fitness depending. Some restaurants will run you if you ask and book to get up and back. More on the restaurants later.
Orientation
View from up top Kefalos overlooking Kamari Bay with Agios Stefanos islet sitting in the greek water
If you know where to look you can see Yiannis place!
Looking left from here you reach the view towards Myatopi restaurant and the mill.
See the white wall, now look for this wall in the next photo (swimming pool one)
Yiannis The Beekeeper Apartments (Studios) - Where we stayed
In short excellent value, great sized room, superb swimming pool and a Greek family running it all with impecable service. I think my partner said we had one of the newer blocks and things all looked new. It could get a little busy by the pool in peak season I could imagine but for our stay it was not busy though the place had numerous guests for the start of the 2025 season.
Swimming Pool
The pool gets a good amount of sunshine throughout the day. 2 beds per table and the furniture is of good quality. The water was fresh at this time of year but it was just a matter of getting used to getting in! It's a pool you can deffo get proper swimming in as it's around 17m I estimate in length. Again you may need to come early to get the space in season.
Only 1 couple were seen to be reserving beds at the end of our stay (though its not desired by mgt and most) your mileage may vary. They did turn up so it wasn't the worst I have seen and they were polite to me. Had it been busy this would have annoyed. Please stop reserving if you are not going to be there at least a short time later. Rant over!
Room 23
Twin bed setup - grrrr..
Bathroom
Yiannis The Beekeeper Apartments Review 2025
Room
It's rated a 2 star but it's much better. I don't really go for stars or many tripadvisor reviews etc too many just want to pop 5 stars and nothing is perfect. Lets forget them stars and tell you about it. Cleaned every couple of days in the essentials but missed cleaning of the draining board. I did ask if cutlery and plates got done as we had no soap or cloth. Bring those and DIY. We just didn't have them so made do and it was fine. The fridge was in great working order very clean. A kettle twin plaque allows you to cook. No microwave. Enough dishes mugs and glasses for 2. We brought a knife but didn't need it all cutlery provided.
The bedding was excellent, clean and comfortable. The beds had lights each side and drawers. One side has a small table 2 chairs and the other a dressing table. There is a small safe which is not big enough for a laptop. We had no issues with trusting the staff with big electronics. We did secure valuables in the safe which I think was 2 euros per day from memory.
The shower and toilet very clean. It had one of the most impressive pressures for the shower so much the fixing at the top couldn't deal with it so run the handle as you need and get used to it. It was a shower curtain setup. Hot water no drama, no smelly drains. Lovely tiles, clean felt very new as I think it was.
I love being on my Greek balconies, and this one got good early sun that dropped off at 5pm approx but looked out towards the sea view in the distance and the big mountain. There is good privacy and to note we didn't have immediate neighbours, there is a diagonal wall separating. It's not too tiny table and two chairs. 3 clothes lines with pegs, again suggests this 2 star rating is very wrong.
Amenities
The pool couldn't fault I loved it and got some swimming in very important to keep moving during my food and drink excesses of the week! Great sunloungers and parasols too. Onsite restaurant had food to a good standard and good options for breakfast lunch and dinner. Prices were ok for example a full english being 11 or 12 euros, .5l Mythos 4.5 euro, fresh squeezed orange juice 5 euro, all which may change throughout the season. I enjoyed the Gyros wrap at 5 euros and Greek salads were around 7 or 8 I think. A portion of fries is 4.5 euros. Oh and a .5l carafe of rose was 5 euros. One of our favourite ways to begin the days slide!
Location
It was around a 10 minutes walk to the sea front down hill and slight uphill back with a six pack of water cutting into your hands! A choice of 2 supermarkets at the beach 8 min and restaurants same. It's 25 minutes up to the 'town' which had less going on than the sea front and so the studios are well located unless you need to be closer to the sea.
Things we did
Hired a car for a couple of days. We didn't do Kos town as we already did it a few times last September when we stayed in Tingaki. We instead decided to explore the lesser known and visited south. It has some mountanous areas with tricky roads so beware and ask the rental company for advice where to go. We visited the Lovely Beach Bar Lovly Bar but the weather was off sadly, however easy to say it's a great little spot.
Lovly Bar Mastihari Kos (not the best shot as it's lovely but it's the character here!)
Went down to the beach (Paralia Kefalos) at Agios Stefanos end where there are some 'luxury' places to stay that I personally wouldn't choose though the location is 'great' they looked very preppy and stiff. I guess I could give it a try one day. Down this end there are some surprising Greek ruins with columns and mosaic tiled flooring with old letters and stuff, it's an awesome spot because it's right on the sea and the islet of Kastri as a backdrop.
We visited Volcano Vinyard when also looking to find the beach, we had to give that one up as the roads got to bad for our cute green rental car.
Snorkling around the islet I'd suggest no and stick to the sides (be careful as the waves around back could get you in trouble). It gets deep quickly too so be aware.
I took a mountain bike out on this route - STRAVA. We have tried to go here via car but had to turn back. It was too rocky broken and sandy.
Restaurants we did
Kompologaki Greek taverna style restaurant, Mylotopi Kefalos town proper (up on the small mountain) great views great experience more expensive than around.
Horsing Around Outside Kompologaki restaurant
Scorpios We went twice as I liked it the first time, nice sized and great value food. Greek and Asian food (not Chinese restaurant) options note!
Beach side Opa Opa lovely garden on the beach to enjoy lunch for a great price.
Agios Thelogos on the far side of Kefalos the wild beach side, very nice sunset and restaurant to discover. Feels more remote and different. We only had drinks.
Pizza place Deliziare not bad if you need something fast (topping not coked enough for my taste),
Captain Johns beach side taverna
Mentions
Lovely Beach Bar - not close by visited by car, excellent beach and food drink..
Tam Tam another beach bar excellent with nice beach designer vibes
Notes
Love my hand luggage tidy! It was so much easier at the airport going through security and keeping cables tidy..
