Endless beaches with crystal clear waters, well preserved alleyways and standout attractions. Ios is so much more than an island for partying until dawn.
One of the most famous islands in the Cyclades, Ios is renowned for its parties and nightlife. However, for several years now its image has changed, as have its visitors. In the 1990s and 2000s it had become one of the favorite destinations for young people from Greece and Italy, but the scene today is different.
Ios is an island that has much more to offer travelers and this is reflected in the fact that many visit again and again. Couples, families with children, and groups of friends coexist, keeping the island's vibrancy alive. What makes it stand out are its beaches, among the most beautiful in the Cyclades, both organized and secluded, all with crystal-clear waters. In addition, on Ios you'll also find significant sights, while the island's gastronomy steals the show.
The Chora of Ios
Chora of Ios is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved in the Cyclades. Picturesque alleys with steps, whitewashed lanes, bougainvillea and squares, shops, little tavernas and bars, are all part of its unique setting. Part of Chora is built on a hill and from afar it truly looks like a postcard. Almost at the top of the rock stands Panagia Gremniotissa dating back to 1797.
According to tradition it took its name from the icon of the Virgin Mary that traveled from Crete to Ios. A little higher up stand three more small chapels, Agios Nikolaos, Agios Ioannis and Agios Eleftherios. Every afternoon you'll see visitors climbing up there to admire the sunset. Another spot in Chora with an amazing view of the sunset and more are the traditional windmills of Ios, located on a rise opposite the hill. The Square of the Mills, as it's known, is one of the island's favorite places for photos.
The island's sights
Ios Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Ios is in a central spot of Chora and, since the late 1990s, has been housed in an impressive neoclassical building, the Amiradakio Mansion. It features four exhibition halls with objects from the settlement of Skarkos and the ancient city of Ios, presenting the island's history from the Early Cycladic to the Roman period.
Gaïtis–Simossi Museum
On a hill with -perhaps- the most impressive view of Chora stands the Gaïtis–Simossi Museum (Gaïtis Simossi Museum). It is an impressive 2009 building that officially began operating as a museum in 2024. On one side it permanently hosts the works of Yiannis Gaitis and on the other those of Gavriella Simossi, while there is also a hall for temporary exhibitions. In the afternoons visitors gather in the courtyard to admire the wonderful view towards Chora, the island's port and Sikinos, at sunset.
Odysseas Elytis Amphitheater
A short distance from the Gaïtis–Simossi Museum, you'll come across the Odysseas Elytis amphitheater, an open-air theater with a unique view of Mylopotas Beach and the endless blue of the Aegean, which hosts events and performances during the summer months.
Skarkos Archaeological Site
In a privileged location on a hill between Chora and the port lies the Skarkos Archaeological Site. With excavations that began in 1896 and continue to this day, a neighborhood on the eastern side of the hill was revealed. It is one of the best-preserved Early Cycladic settlements of the Aegean. It comprises the remains of an impressive settlement with paved streets and significant finds from the Early Bronze Age.
The Tomb of Homer
Legend says that Homer died on the island during a journey of his and that's why on Ios you'll find the famed Tomb of Homer. According to tradition, you'll come across it in the northern part of the island on a hill above the bay of Plakotos. It consists of the ruins of an ancient Hellenistic tower that became linked with the legend of the epic poet's burial.
Palaiokastro
On the road from Chora to Psathi lies Palaiokastro. Via a steep path you'll reach an elevation with the ruins of Palaiokastro, which seems to have been built on the site of a Byzantine castle. Today, remnants of the walls and ruins of its interior buildings survive and inside stands the small church of Panagia Palaiokastritissa.
The impressive beaches of Ios
The beaches of Ios are famed for their unique waters. The island is truly a paradise of deep blue. Mylopotas, just a few kilometers from Chora, is the island's most famous beach. It's a vast sandy beach with beach bars and free sections, with crystal-blue waters. The beach is popular because it's sheltered, but also for the many options for food, drinks, and water sports, and it gathers people of all ages.
One of the most impressive beaches on the island, and in the entire Cyclades, is Magganari, in the southern part of the island. Essentially it's two consecutive bays and a few smaller ones, with plenty of space for those seeking moments of calm. For those staying at the port of Ios, Yialos is the easiest beach to reach on foot. A stone's throw from Chora, this particular beach is sheltered and ideal for families, the waters are quite shallow. There are plenty of beach bars and trees for natural shade.
On the northeastern side of the island Agia Theodoti is one of visitors' favorite beaches. There stands the island's oldest church from the 16th century, built on the ruins of an ancient temple of Apollo, which gave its name to the beach. Koumbara is popular, as it's located near the island's port. It's fully organized, with shallow waters and golden sand with pebbles. It's split in two by a rock crowned by the little church of Agia Paraskevi and is another ideal spot to admire the sunset.
Psathi is the favorite beach of those who want to relax, and of windsurfers. On the eastern side of the island lies Kalamos, one of the calmest beaches of Ios. It's unorganized, with no bars or sunbeds, with waters ideal for diving and mask-and-snorkel exploration.
Trails
It may not be widely known, but Ios boasts an impressive network of trails. Its paths extend for 13.5 kilometers and lead to small chapels, archaeological sites and spectacular beaches. There are many different routes for every taste, shorter ones and longer for the more experienced.
ACCOMMODATION
- Heliopetra: Built in a privileged and quiet location in Pounta, the property offers unobstructed views of the Aegean, the port and the Chora of Ios, creating the ideal setting for unforgettable summer holidays.
- Magganari View: On one of Ios' most impressive beaches, Magganari, this private hideaway combines the comfort of a luxury hotel with the privacy of a boutique seaside villa.
- Calilo: The luxury hotel on Papa Beach, sculpted into the natural rock and embraced by 1,000 stremmas of protected land, sets the ideal scene for holidays with absolute serenity and privacy.
- Levantes Ios Boutique Hotel: Built in an ideal location just a few minutes from Chora, it sits above Mylopotas, one of the island's best-known and most beautiful beaches.
- Hideοut Suites: A gleaming white Cycladic complex of 12 luxury suites and 5 luxury villas, set on an imposing hillside of the island of Ios, right above the award-winning beach of Mylopotas.
- Yialos Ios Hotel: In an ideal location above the port and close to Chora and Yialos Beach, the rooms and apartments are perfect for unforgettable family holidays.
- Kritikakis Village Hotel: A Cycladic private village built just a few steps from the port of Ios, it offers relaxation and comfort with wonderful sea views.
- White Loft: The complex of 14 studios in traditional Cycladic architecture sits on the edge of a hill, with views of Chora and the Aegean.
FOOD
Chora
- Katogi: One of Ios' most popular restaurants lies in the narrow lanes of Chora and is famed for its Greek tapas as well as its cocktails.
- Kafeneio I Nios: In one of the most beautiful squares, beneath a large bougainvillea, you'll enjoy local meze with live music.
- To Koutouki tou Saini: Hidden within the alleys, this little taverna puts the emphasis on traditional dishes based on local ingredients and time-honored recipes.
Yialos
- Doors Ios: In the morning it serves brunch under the tamarisks and in the evening creative cocktails and tasty dishes, while it also provides sunbeds for endless dips.
Mylopotas
- Salt Restaurant Bar: A beach bar open from morning till night, with a menu that offers everything from breakfast to tasty flatbreads and creative seafood dishes.
- Drakos Taverna: At the end of the beach, with tables right by the water and a relaxed atmosphere, it features a menu with a variety of traditional seafood dishes.
Koumbara
- Pathos Club and Restaurant: Artistic touches and elegant décor combine with the stunning view towards the Aegean and the sunset, along with an impressive gastronomic experience.
- Koubara: A seafood restaurant right on the beach with crystal-clear waters, it's famed for its hospitality as well as for its wide variety of seafood and fresh fish from the Aegean.
Epano Kampos
- Taverna Vilaiti: The taverna is the ideal meeting point for meat lovers and those seeking calm, with a menu that emphasizes Greek cuisine.
