Ios

Ios (Ίος) is a compact island in the central Cyclades, set between Naxos and Santorini. It has no airport and is reached by ferry, arriving at the sheltered port of Gialos. A road and an old stepped path climb to the Chora. This whitewashed hilltop village is crowned by windmills and the church of Panagia Gremiotissa.

The coast is lined with wide sandy beaches. Mylopotas is the best known, with water sports along its long bay, while Gialos, Kalamos and Agia Theodoti lie on quieter shores. The bays of Manganari curve along the far south. Ios also has deep roots. The hill of Skarkos holds an Early Cycladic settlement from the 3rd millennium BC, with houses preserved up to two storeys. Its finds are shown in the Archaeological Museum in the Chora. According to ancient tradition Homer was buried on Ios, and a site in the north of the island is pointed out as his tomb. Show more

In summer the Chora and Mylopotas are known for a lively nightlife and beach parties. Hiking trails, chapels and the Odysseas Elytis open-air theatre above the Chora show a calmer side.