Diagram by Greece Trips. Free to reuse with credit - CC BY 4.0.
The beach
Long, sandy and shallow, running west from the village, with organised sections near the centre and emptier sand as you walk. The water shelves gently and the bay is exposed enough to bring wind in the afternoon, which is why windsurfers use this coast.
Behind it the village is low-rise and compact, with hotels and rooms rather than a resort strip.
The Kalymnos ferry
Small ferries cross to Kalymnos, the sponge-diving island to the north, in well under an hour. It is one of the easiest inter-island hops in the Dodecanese and makes a straightforward day out: harbour town, sponge history, and the mountains behind it.
Check the return sailing before you go, and expect fewer crossings out of season.
Who it suits
Good for: travellers who want a beach with a working village attached, easy day trips by boat, and dinner on a harbour rather than a strip.
Less good for: anyone who wants nightlife, which lives in Kos Town and Kardamena, or the shallow calm of Tigaki further east.
Our where to stay in Kos guide sets out the island’s bases, and where to eat in Kos covers the tables.
Last checked August 2026. Ferry schedules and seasonal facilities change - see our editorial policy.
Common questions
Where does the Kalymnos ferry leave from on Kos?
From Mastichari on the north coast, with a crossing of well under an hour and fewer sailings out of season.
Is Mastichari beach good?
It is long, sandy and shallow, organised near the village and quieter as you walk west, with afternoon wind that suits boards.
Is Mastichari a good base on Kos?
It suits people who want a village with a harbour and a beach rather than a resort strip, and it is central on the island’s north coast.
How far is Mastichari from Kos Town?
Roughly halfway along the north coast, about twenty-five minutes by car, with seasonal buses.
Is there nightlife in Mastichari?
Not really. It is tavernas and bars around the harbour rather than a nightlife strip.
Next
Read best beaches in Kos, Tigaki, or where to stay in Kos.