 Chora, the capital of Ios, is the centre of all activities on the island. Most stores and all public services are located there. On the day, the town is busy as a transportation hub and tourists are strolling around, along the narrow paths. On a hill above Chora, you can see the beautiful church of Panagia Gremiotissa, the landmark of the island.
Ios is not the island to go sightseeing, but a place with wonderful beaches to relax. So, after a strong morning coffee in the square of Chora, go swimming in Mylopotas. This is the most popular beach on the island, due to its crystal water, the organized shore and its closeness to Chora. Frequent buses go from Chora to Mylopotas and a lot of hotels and other tourist facilities are found there. Mylopotas has a lot of beach bars that stay open till late, so it is also a nice nightlife option, if you don't want to spend the night in a club in Chora.
For quieter things, you can also go to Koumbara, another beach close to Chora, that keeps a more peaceful pace than Mylopotas. Koumbara is more family-oriented than focusing on entertainment.
 Two days in Ios: Manganari and Papa |
1st day as descibed above.
On the second day, go to two other famous beaches on Ios: Manganari and Papa. Manganari in particular, about 20 km north east, is frequently connected by bus to Chora. This beach has crystal water and soft sand on the shore. It is organized and beach bars play music. Some scenes of the film "The Big Blue" by Luc Besson were filmed there.
About 5 km north of Manganari, there is Papa, a calm beach of exceptional beauty.
The crystal water and the sandy shore attract many visitors, although things are more isolate there than in other beaches of Ios.
| Three days on Ios: Psathi and Agia Theodoti |
1st and 2nd days as described above.
On the third day, head off to explore the western side of the island. This is a less tourist-developed area and has some nice spots to relax away from crowds. For this day, you'd better rent a car or a scooter for your comfort. Start with Agia Theodoti, a tourist resort with a large beach. Then have a swim in Psathi, a calm beach about 17 km east of Chora, totally untouched by tourism.
View excursion on a map |
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