Ios: Unforgettable Holidays on Homer's Island
Ios, the island of light and youthful energy, invites you to experience a unique holiday. Known for its golden beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant nightlife, Ios offers something for everyone. From ancient monuments and picturesque villages to cosmopolitan beaches and gastronomic treasures, Ios promises to enchant you.
Where is Ios?
Ios, one of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades, is located in the heart of the Aegean Sea, between Santorini and Naxos. Its strategic location makes it easily accessible from Piraeus and other islands.
Archaeological Treasures
Rich in history and culture, Ios is home to important archaeological finds.
- Skarkos: In the Skarkos area, near the port, ruins of a prehistoric settlement dating back to the 3rd millennium BC have been discovered.
- Palaiokastro: At the top of the hill stands the Venetian castle of Palaiokastro, built in the 14th century.
- Archaeological Museum: The Archaeological Museum of Ios houses finds from various periods, such as Minoan vases, Cycladic figurines, and coins.
Attractions that Enchant
In addition to archaeological monuments, Ios has a multitude of attractions worth visiting:
- Chora: The picturesque Chora, with its white houses, narrow streets, and churches with blue domes, is one of the most beautiful villages in the Cyclades.
- Windmills: The twelve windmills, a symbol of the island, stand proudly at the entrance of Chora.
- Lighthouse: The Ios lighthouse, built in 1887, offers panoramic views of the Aegean Sea.
- Monastery of Agios Ioannis: The Monastery of Agios Ioannis, built in the 17th century, is located on a verdant slope overlooking the sea.
- Odysseas Elytis Theatre: The open-air "Odysseas Elytis" theatre is an open-air theatre of ancient Greek type designed by architect Peter Haupt and is built with local stone and marble. It hosts cultural events during the summer months.
Beaches for all Tastes
Ios is famous for its beautiful beaches, with crystal clear waters and golden sand.
- Mylopotas: The most popular beach on the island, with beach bars, restaurants, and water sports.
- Manganari: A large sandy beach with shallow waters, ideal for families.
- Agia Theodoti: A quiet beach with turquoise waters, ideal for relaxation.
- Psathi: A secluded beach with wild beauty.
Gastronomic Delights
Ios offers a variety of culinary options, with an emphasis on fresh, local produce.
- Local cheeses: Try xinotyro, skotyri, and graviera.
- Fresh seafood: Enjoy fresh fish, squid, octopus, and shrimp.
- Traditional dishes: Taste Tsimetia (courgette flowers stuffed with rice and herbs), revithada, makaronia tarachta with myzithra, bean fricassee with avgolemono, revithokeftedes, matsi (a type of pasta), and omelette with skarf (a herb like wild asparagus).
- Local sweets: Don't forget to try melitinia and pasteli.
Entertainment for Everyone
Ios is famous for its vibrant nightlife, with many bars and clubs, ideal for those looking for fun until dawn.
- Chora: Chora offers a variety of bars, pubs, and clubs, with music for all tastes.
- Mylopotas: Mylopotas beach gathers the most popular beach bars on the island.
Accommodation for Every Budget
Ios offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget studios and rented rooms.
- Chora: Chora has many hotels, studios, and traditional guesthouses.
- Mylopotas: In Mylopotas you will find luxury resorts and villas.
- Other areas: In the other areas of the island there are more affordable accommodations.
How to Get to Ios - Port and Ferry Schedules
How to get to Ios: Ios is easily accessible by ferry during the summer season, with daily routes with high-speed and conventional ferries from Piraeus, Rafina, the Cyclades islands, and Crete, which you can find out more about below.
Port
- The port of Ios, also known as Gialos, is the first image that visitors see when they arrive on the island. Built in a picturesque bay, it offers a warm welcome with its Cycladic architecture, white houses, and blue waters.
- The port of Ios is famous for its safety, thanks to its natural morphology that protects it from the winds. The port has all the necessary services for visitors, such as shops, restaurants, and cafes.
- The small beach of the port offers an oasis of coolness, overlooking the ships and boats that come and go. Here you can enjoy the sun and the sea, or try water sports.
Ferry schedules
- From the port of Ios, during the summer season, high-speed and conventional ferries depart daily to Athens (Piraeus, Rafina), Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Anafi, Folegandros, Amorgos, Heraklion, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Tinos.
The website www.Ferries.gr is the perfect way to find information on all ferry routes from / To Ios. You can search for routes based on the date of departure and destination, and learn about all the companies that depart and the prices of tickets.
