Ios Tourism

Ios, or Nios as the locals call it, is an island located on the southern part of the Cyclades, between Naxos and Santorini. It has no airport and is only reachable via ferry. The good news is that ferries to Ios are plentiful during the summer season and depart from several places, including Athens, Crete and many islands of the Aegean Sea, including but not limited to Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Milos and Sifnos.

The island has one port which hosts all ferries approaching Ios. It is situated on the northwestern side of the island, only 2 km away from Chora, the island's capital. Chora is built on a hill, on top of which lies Panagia Gremiotissa, a whitewashed church dedicated to the Virgin Mary that makes for the landmark of Ios. The village is very picturesque as its buildings and houses showcase typical Cycladic architecture with stone-paved alleys crossing them. The charming capital turns into the liveliest area after the sun goes down, as its narrow streets host numerous bars and clubs that are overrun with people who are in the mood to party.

One of the main reasons people select Ios for their summer vacation - in addition to its intense nightlife - is its enticing beaches.
Mylopotas is the busiest tourist resort on the island. It is located at a 3 km distance from Chora and its beach is the one with the most visitors. The shore is well-organized with sunbeds and umbrellas, while beach bars line up the road behind it. One of the most renowned clubs in Ios, FarOut Beach Club, stands there, hosting wild parties with world-famous DJs on decks every summer. The area is also home to many hotels and restaurants.
Manganari is another beach that attracts a lot of visitors. Even though it is one of the most distant beaches from Chora, it attracts many visitors due to its beautiful setting and crystal-clear azure waters. The beach is partly organized and emits tranquility.
Several other lovely beaches are part of the island's coastline; Kalamos, Psathi, Agia Theodoti and Koumbara are some of the visitors' favorite destinations.

Regarding sightseeing, most of Ios' attractions are located in Chora and its vicinity. Except for Pangia Gremiotissa which guards the island from above, the ancient settlement of Skarkos, the quaint windmills, the Archaeological Museum and the Odysseas Elytis Theater are all very impressive sights located in Chora that are worthy of a visit. The tomb of Homer in Plakoto could not be missing from the mentions either.

In terms of diet, anyone interested in tasting local products and flavors should try tsimetia (zucchini blossoms stuffed with rice and cheese), the traditional watermelon pie, as well as the island's locally produced kinds of cheese like xinotiri.