10 must-sees in Ios, Greece

Ios, a small island near Santorini, is a real gem in the heart of the Cyclades. And it has a lot more to offer than the “party island” image that sticks to its skin.

Ios has a reputation for being a festive island, popular with young students who come here to party the night away. When we talk to our Greek friends about Ios, they all conjure up memories of their student days and the festive (and alcoholic) evenings spent on the island. Quite frankly, it made us hesitate a lot before going there. We finally decided to go… and happily so! It would have been a shame to miss out. Yes, it’s true, Ios is an island where young people come to party. But during the day, the atmosphere is incredibly peaceful. There are many coves and wild spots, and the scenery is breathtaking. This island really has two faces.

In short, it’s an island we really enjoyed. So here we share our top 10 things to do in Ios. The must-sees and our favorites.

1- Stroll the narrow streets of Chora, the island’s capital

Among the many things to do on Ios, discovering the Chora is a must. It’s certainly one of the most beautiful towns in the Cyclades, along with the Chora of Folegandros. A perched village with a picture-postcard feel: full of winding little streets lined with bougainvillea, whitewashed houses and churches with rounded blue domes. The village center is entirely pedestrianized, making it a pleasant place to stroll.

Our advice: A visit to Chora by day and by night is a must to appreciate the two radically different atmospheres. The alleyways, so quiet during the day, become very lively as night falls.

2- Explore the spectacular landscapes of Ios

On Ios, it’s easy to escape the crowds, even in midsummer. Rent a car or put on your walking shoes and set off to explore the superb sun-baked landscapes, with the blue sea in the background everywhere.

The island retains a wild side as soon as you move away from Chora and Mylopotas. You can still see farms and shepherds with their flocks.

The island also boasts a number of chapels and small white churches that can be discovered along the way.

For hiking enthusiasts, there are several trails, starting from Chora and leading to the site of Skarkos, for example, or to the beach at Agia theodoti. For more information, visit Ios Paths website. Available in english and very well designed, this site offers some twenty hiking trails and itineraries that can be downloaded to your smartphone.

If you’d rather discover the island with a local guide, we’ve spotted these hikes organized by Ios Adventure:

• Hike around Chora and the archaeological site of Skarkos, along picturesque paths – 4h.
• Historical walk around Chora to discover its churches with explanations from the guide – 1h.
• Hike from the windmills of Ios to a traditional cheese factory – 4h30.
• Hike from Gialos beach to Ios lighthouse – 2h30
• Hike to the archaeological site of Skarkos via the old port– 3h.

3- Climb to Panagia Gremiotissa

If there’s one thing to do on Ios that’s an absolute must, it’s to climb to the top of the hill overlooking the Chora. It’s a ten-minute climb from the village of Chora. At the very top are four churches, including Panagia Gremiotissa, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The panorama from here is absolutely sublime. Enjoy the view of Chora, the churches with their blue domes, the port of Gialos and, of course, the sea. A must-see, it’s magnificent.

Our advice: Go at the end of the day. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset, and the lights at the end of the day are very beautiful.

4- Swimming and water sports on Mylopotas beach

Mylopotas is the best-known beach on Ios… and for good reason. This long sandy beach is very beautiful.

There are numerous beach bars offering sun loungers and parasols. It’s also the perfect place for water sports enthusiasts: canoeing, water skiing, windsurfing, boat trips…

Our advice: Go early in the morning to make the most of it. Before 11am, we’re literally alone on the beach. Until 12-1pm, it’s relatively quiet. In the afternoon, however, the beach comes alive and becomes a party place at the end of the day.

Fancy a sporting and/or water sports activity? You’ll find several suggestions for activities fromMylopotas, in English or French, on the Manawa website:

• 3-hour windsurfing course for beginners
• Scuba diving for all levels in French: for beginners or experienced divers
• Wakeboarding on the Aegean Sea
• A boat trip to discover the island’s 7 most beautiful beaches, accessible only by boat. A walk that combines swimming and snorkeling and is highly rated by visitors.

You can also rent a boat with Click&Boat: a small motorboat on Ios for a day trip, another way to enjoy the island. Or even better, take a cruise on a sailboat with or without a skipper.

5- Relax on the beautiful beaches of Ios

What to do in Ios? Enjoying the beaches is a good option. Far from being just a party island, Ios also offers tranquillity to those who seek it. The island boasts beautiful beaches, often deserted before noon, and numerous small coves where it’s easy to get away from it all.

We share our favorite beaches in the article The most beautiful beaches on Ios.

6- Visit Homer’s tomb

Legend has it that the poet Homer was born and died on the island of Ios. Just like his mother, Klimène. So off to the north of the island to see Homer’s tomb. The place where he is buried lies some fifteen kilometers north of Chora.

While the tomb itself is of limited interest, the walk is well worth it for the wild landscapes you pass through to get there. Above all, the tomb of Ulysses’ father faces the sea, offering a magnificent panorama of the sea, the surrounding hills and the nearby islands. A place both calm and wild.

To get you there while enjoying the fresh air and without getting too tired, we’ve spotted these private electric bike excursions organized by Ios Adventure. Starting from Chora, discover Homer’s tomb and the archaeological site (4h), or opt for Homer’s tomb and tasting at the Diaseli cheese factory (4h30).

7- Visit the archaeological museum of Ios

The museum is housed in a neoclassical house shared with the town hall. It’s small but interesting and well done. It features objects found during excavations at the Neolithic site of Skarkos. This gives us an insight into the island’s long history.

A visit to this museum will probably make you want to go and see the village of Skarkos and its archaeological site, where the remains are still well preserved. A large necropolis can be seen here, as well as the remains of dwellings.

8- Discover the windmills of Ios

The Cyclades are renowned for being windy islands. In summer, the meltem blows strongly on certain days, particularly in August. Like a link between past and present, Ios still boasts a number of pretty windmills, some of which have been restored (notably in the Chora’s Spring Square).

9- Admire the sunset and dine on the port

The port where the ferries arrive is also a pleasant place to take a stroll at the end of the day and stay for dinner. Enjoy the calm, romantic atmosphere as the sun sets.

Our advice: For dinner, we liked the Octopus Tree and Ithaka restaurants.

10- What to do in Ios The party, of course!

Of course! It’s impossible to talk about Ios without mentioning this point. Ios is renowned for its intense nightlife, and this is no legend. The atmosphere becomes hectic at night, and the fun goes on all night long!

The best places to party on Ios are Chora (after midnight), with its multitude of clubs and bars, and Mylopotas at the end of the day. And, of course, it’s during the height of summer, in July and August, that the festival is in full swing. The rest of the year, the island is quieter.

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Finally, to find out more about Ios, see also our articles :

• Practical information on how to get to Ios, when to go, how long to stay, etc.
• Where to stay in Ios? Our selection of hotels and accommodations
• The most beautiful beaches on Ios

Laure M.