Famous for its amazing beaches and lively party scene, Ios is a popular Cycladic island destinations among the youth! In addition to its nightlife, Ios has many more less known aspects to offer, from beaches with shimmering waters to picturesque cliff top villages with narrow alleys and more!
While planning your trip to Ios, make sure to check out the information available in our travel guide. Browsing through our guide, you will find everything you need to know about the island, including must-do activities, must-visit beaches, hotels for your stay, best restaurants and a collection of photos from various locations around the island!
Ios is easy to reach by ferry from Athens and more specifically, the ports of Piraeus and Rafina. It is also connected to many other islands, including Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros and Crete, creating an opportunity for island hopping you simply can’t miss! The closest international airport in on Santorini island.
Sightseeing & Attractions
Skarkos is an early Bronze Age settlement found in Ios. It is the most important prehistoric archaeological site of the Cyclades located only a few kilometers from the port of Ios.
The church of Virgin Mary Gremiotissa is the trademark of the island. It stands on a high hill above Chora and distinguishes for the palm tree on its side.
The windmills on a hill above Chora are not in use today. However, they have been restored today and stand today as samples of traditional Cycladic architecture.
According to the myth, at the end of his life, Homer returned to the homeland of his mother and died there. Scientists believe that his tomb is located on the northern side of the island but the site is almost abandoned today.
The lighthouse of Ios is located in the area of Koumbara, in a close distance from Ormos village. It is easily accessible on foot.
Beaches
Mylopotas Beach: Long and sandy, this beach offers many tourism facilities and has a lot of beach bars along the coast. This is the most popular beach on Ios.
Manganari Beach: Manganari is a charming bay on the southern side of the island with clean water and a relaxing ambience. This beach is far more quiet than the beaches close to Chora.
Kalamos: Kalamos is a beautiful and almost deserted beach on the south eastern side of the island. Its relaxing atmosphere provides a nice alternative to the busy resorts of Ios.
Agia Theodoti: The beach took its name from the small chapel of Agia Theodoti that stands on a hill above the coast. This is a large and sandy spot, ideal for some relaxing moments in Ios.
Cape Karatzas: This is a very small cove with dark blue waters and pebbles on the seabed. There are no trees and tourist facilities in a large distance from Karatzas.
