Discover Cyclades
Discover Cyclades
Mylopotas beach by day, Chora nightlife by night — plus Homer's tomb hike and quiet coves most visitors never find. The complete Ios activity guide for 2026.
Sun-drenched beaches, legendary nightlife, and the mythical resting place of Homer himself
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Ios is a Cyclades island in the southern Aegean Sea, famous for combining a busy nightlife scene in Chora with sandy beaches like Mylopotas. Reached by a 3.5-hour high-speed ferry from Athens, it's a popular spot for travelers from all over Europe. Athens to Ios ferries: 4–4.5h high-speed; no airport—fly to Santorini or Mykonos first.
Ios is famous for its lively Cycladic nightlife, a warm island where golden sand stretches below a hilltop Chora that wakes up after dark. But seeing Ios only as a party spot means missing what makes it truly special. This is a place with thousands of years of history. You'll find the legendary tomb of Homer on a northern hill, and one of the prettiest whitewashed villages in Greece.
The island's small size makes it easy to explore. Mylopotas, one of the longest sandy beaches in the Cyclades, sits directly below Chora's whitewashed houses. Further south, the remote coast hides Manganari, a series of calm, turquoise bays with incredibly clear water. Old windmills sit on the hills, blue-domed churches mark the pathways, and the local light has drawn artists here for decades.
Lately, Ios has quietly broadened its appeal. Boutique hotels, local farm-to-table restaurants, and quiet retreats have joined the classic clubs and beach bars. The island now fits almost any travel style. It's just as good for couples looking for sunset drinks as it is for families who want safe, shallow waters.
On Ios, the sun sets slowly, the music starts up, and the sea carries all the island's secrets.
Chora for nightlife; Mylopotas for beach bars; Gialos (port) for families. Ios hotels.
Handpicked hotels with exceptional reviews and local character.
Detailed breakdowns of every neighborhood and village.
Expert Recommendation
"For the first-time visitor, staying in the main Chora provides the best balance of accessibility and atmosphere."
Ancient traditions say the great poet Homer died and was buried on Ios, which was the home of his mother Clymene. His tomb sits at Plakoto on the northern tip of the island and has drawn travelers since ancient times. A Dutch archaeologist named Pasch van Krienen claimed to have found the grave here in 1771.
People have lived on Ios since at least 3000 BC. The island prospered during Classical times and even minted its own coins with Homer's face on them. Later, during the Byzantine era, residents built the hilltop Paleokastro fortress to defend against pirate raids.
Like most islands in the Cyclades, Ios was ruled by Venice from the 13th century as part of the Duchy of Naxos. Chora was fortified during this time. The subsequent Ottoman rule was light, allowing the islanders to preserve their Greek Orthodox traditions.
Ios became famous in the 1960s when backpackers and hippies fell in love with its cheap rooms and beautiful beaches. That bohemian atmosphere eventually grew into a massive summer party scene. Recently, the island has balanced this out by adding more luxury hotels and sustainable cultural options.
Explore the heart of Ios
The capital of Ios is a beautiful Cycladic village. Whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches, and flower-filled alleys tumble down a steep hill crowned by historic windmills. By day, it's a quiet photographer's dream. At night, it's the center of the island's social scene, with dozens of small bars and clubs lining the lanes.
Ormos is the island's port village, sitting in a sheltered bay below Chora. It's got a much more relaxed vibe than the capital, offering a nice row of tavernas, cafes, and shops along the harbor. There's a small sandy beach nearby, and it's the main departure point for buses going around the island.
It's a lively beach resort curving along a beautiful one-kilometer bay. Golden sand, water sports centers, beach bars, and tavernas line the shore, creating a self-contained holiday spot just a short bus ride from Chora.
A short walk west of the port, Koumbara is a small, quiet bay with a mellow beach vibe. The sheltered cove has beach bars with a laid-back feel. The water's incredibly clear, making it perfect for snorkeling around the rocky headlands.
Boutique villas, cave hotels, and sea-view suites — all in one place.
The best shores of Ios
The island's main beach is a sweeping crescent of golden sand. It's got shallow turquoise water, active beach clubs, and plenty of watersports.
A beautiful group of sheltered bays on the south coast. The white sand and clear turquoise water make it one of Greece's top beaches.
A sheltered cove near the port with calm water, smooth pebbles, and a chilled-out beach bar scene.
A long, quiet sandy beach on the east coast backed by dunes and a medieval church, with views toward Iraklia.
A remote beach on the east coast with fine sand and clear water, surrounded by quiet hills and almost no development, so it's incredibly peaceful.
A beautiful cliff-backed beach on the southeast coast, accessible by boat or dirt road, offering incredibly clear water.
Explore every beach and hidden village at your own pace.
Traditional taverna cooking and creative Mediterranean dining. The local food scene has evolved quickly.
A traditional dish of sun-dried mackerel marinated with garlic, vinegar, and olive oil.
Sweet Easter cheese pastries made with fresh local cheese and mastic.
Handmade local pasta served with sweet caramelized onions and tomato sauce.
Grilled over charcoal and served with lemon, olive oil, and capers.
Ios produces small quantities of wine from Assyrtiko and Aidani grapes, best enjoyed at sunset with a cheese plate
Crispy fried dough balls drizzled with local honey and walnuts, a popular late-night treat.
From sunrise to sunset in Ios
Hike to Plakoto on the northern tip of the island, the traditional burial site of Homer. The trail offers beautiful views of the Aegean Sea, and the site is incredibly peaceful at dawn.
2-3 hoursStart the day with a beachside yoga session at Mylopotas or Koumbara. Several studios and hotels offer morning classes with the sound of waves as your soundtrack.
1.5 hoursExplore the ruins of the Byzantine fortress high above the east coast, offering sweeping views across the island.
1.5 hoursTry wakeboarding, paddleboarding, or jet skiing. The calm, shallow bay is also great for windsurfing.
2-3 hoursTake a traditional caïque boat from the port to Manganari. The boat stops at quiet coves along the dramatic south coast.
5-6 hoursExplore underwater caves and marine life with a diving center at Mylopotas. Sites suit both beginners and advanced divers.
3 hoursFind a traditional taverna in upper Chora for a long lunch. Enjoy local specialties and cold wine as the afternoon warms up.
2 hoursExplore the narrow alleys of Chora in the warm afternoon light. Climb to the windmills for 360-degree views and browse local shops.
2 hoursClimb to the highest church in Chora for a spectacular sunset view, looking out over the sea toward Sikinos.
1 hourStart your evening with drinks overlooking the harbor, then try one of Chora's excellent modern or traditional restaurants.
2-3 hoursStart at the main square, explore the narrow lanes where music spills from small bars, and head to the clubs.
4-5 hoursVisit the Archaeological Museum in Chora. It houses finds from Skarkos, an incredibly well-preserved Bronze Age settlement.
1 hourSailing trips, sunset cruises, diving, cooking classes and more.
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Ferry routes and travel connections
Ferry tickets
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Ferries, hotels, car rental and neighbourhood guides — everything you need after reading this Ios guide.
Ios connects to 9 nearby islands by ferry. These are the live island-hopping routes from Ios, with direct connections drawn from our full Cyclades ferry catalogue.
A dramatic clifftop village and authentic Cycladic atmosphere far from mass tourism.
Endless golden beaches, the Portara gateway, and the best local cuisine in the Cyclades.
The caldera, Oia sunsets, and volcanic wines. It's the closest and most iconic hop from Ios.
One of the least visited Cycladic islands, featuring frozen-in-time village life and the ancient Episkopi temple.
Curated tours and activities
Sail to Manganari and hidden south coast coves, with swimming stops, snorkeling gear, and a Greek lunch onboard.
A guided cultural hike to the legendary tomb of Homer at Plakoto, with stories of ancient mythology and island history.
Cruise along the west coast at golden hour with cocktails, swimming stops, and views of the sunset behind Sikinos island.
Insider tips for your Ios trip
Hand-picked Cyclades photography — refreshed weekly from Pexels.
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Everything you need to know about Ios
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From golden beaches to legendary nights, from Homer's ancient tomb to the beautiful alleys of Chora, Ios has something for every traveler.