Ios is an impressive Cyclades island, located between Naxos and Santorini. It is an island that, apart from its natural Cycladic beauty, takes great pride in its crystal beaches, nightlife, and historical attractions. Are you ready to wander through its 10 most favored places?
Panagia Gremiotissa
Panagia Gremiotissa (Virgin Mary of the Steep Cliff) is a Byzantine church that dominates the top of a hill high above Chora, the Town of Ios, and owes its name to its rocky location. It was built in 1797 and according to tradition, it was founded thanks to a miracle by Virgin Mary. According to the legend, the icon of the Virgin was in Crete. During the years of the Ottoman occupation of Greece, believers from Crete, wanting to protect their religion and its symbols from the Turks, put the particular icon of the Virgin Mary in a wooden raft with a candle on it and let it travel to the sea, hoping that someone would find it and save it. Finally, the icon was found in the waters of Ios and today it is one of the most picturesque churches of the Aegean and the ideal place to enjoy the sunset on the island.
Chora
The town of Ios (Chora) is one of the most photographic in the Aegean as it lies over two hills, at a distance of about 2.5 km from the port. Visitors can walk through quaint alleys, all-white houses, and numerous churches and can enjoy one of the most stunning sunsets of their lives from the hill where Panagia Gremiotissa, the saint protector of the island, is located. Within this Cycladic setting, the Windmills of Ios are located in one of the most popular spots on the island. Today, 12 windmills are preserved, situated in the north and east of Chora, and give their own painting touch to the capital of Ios.
The Tomb of Homer
Legend has it that it is on the island of Ios where Homer, the greatest poet in ancient Greece, lies buried in his grave at Plakoto bay, at the northernmost part of the island, on a hill. It is one of the most significant historical monuments of Greece and the Aegean. Today, the ruins of the tomb, found in 1175, dominate the hill of Psathopyrgos. Although many cities claim Homer’s origin, the people of Ios believe that Homer died and was buried on their island. The great poet stopped in Ios, on his journey to Samos, but unfortunately, he died on this island after not being able to solve a riddle posed to him by the locals.
Odysseas Elytis Theater
“Odysseas Elytis” theater is a cultural “jewel” of Ios. It is an colossal open marble structure in the style of ancient Greece, with the endless blue of the Aegean in the background of. Its wonderful location in the area of Tsoukalaria, after the windmills of Chora, makes this theater even more exquisite as most of the cultural events of the island are held there, including the grand Homeria festival, musical concerts, plays and other performances. It was designed by the architect Peter Haupt, a professor of architecture at the University of Berlin, who used the model of the ancient theaters of southern Italy as a design. The theater can accommodate around 1,100 spectators. Moreover, local stone has been used for its marble bleachers. Its orientation allows spectators to enjoy a stunning view of the Aegean.
Mylopotas beach
Mylopotas beach is the best and most organized beach in Ios. It is located in the southwestern part of Ios, at a distance of 3 kilometers from Chora; it is the island’s most popular beach, a stunning sandy bay with turquoise waters awarded with a Blue Flag. Access to the beach is very easy and visitors can find everything they wish, such as restaurants, bars, cafes, campsites, hotels and of course parties day and night! Besides swimming, you can also do a variety of adventurous watersports like scuba diving and windsurfing.
Manganari beach
Manganari is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches of the Cyclades and the Aegean. Its natural beauty and its blue-green waters impress even the most demanding visitors. There are organized parts of the beach with taverns and sunbeds where a lot of people gather, but also quiet places for those who just want to relax and calm down. Generally speaking, because of the long distance from Chora, the beach is less noisy than others. You will find it on the south side of Ios, at a distance of about 20 kilometers from Chora. The beach is accessed through a paved road that leads there. Last but not least, scenes from the famous movie “Le Grand Bleu” were shot in Manganari.
Koumbara beach
Another famous beach on Ios is Koumbara. It is located on the western side of the island, very close to Chora, and attracts many visitors who arrive in Ios, wanting to enjoy its special landscape. The beach is organized with umbrellas and sundecks and it is ideal for numerous water sports activities; it is constantly developing with more amenities and accommodation. However, part of it is also unorganized and it is a quiet alternative for those who want more peace and relaxation. What makes it even more popular, though, is its spectacular sunset time, when most people stay up late to enjoy this magical moment of the day.
Church of Agia Irini
If you want to be in one of the most photographed spots of the island, then you must visit the Church of Agia Irini. It is located in Gialos, on the northern side of the port of Ios, and was built in the 17thcentury. The church has two bell towers. One above the entrance to the church and another one on the gate, with seven and three bells respectively. This church is literally next to the sea and is one of the most picturesque churches in the Aegean. Its bell towers constitute an idyllic setting for millions of Instagram posts and the perfect place to enjoy the sunset.
Paleokastro (Old Castle)
Paleokastro is a castle built in the eastern part of Ios, between Agia Theodoti and Psathi. The castle was built to protect the island from pirates in 1397 and was probably built on a pre-existing Byzantine castle. Today there are several parts of the walls, ruins of the buildings, inside the castle, and the beautiful church of Panagia Paleokastritissa. One more reason to visit Paleokastro is the wonderful, unhindered view it offers towards Paros, Naxos, Amorgos, and the small Cyclades.
Paths of Ios
The island of Ios has incomparable natural beauty, found not only in its beaches and crystal clear waters but also in its mainland. If you are a fan of adventure and hiking, then put on your hat and your most comfortable shoes and hike in the paths of the island. Get to know the beauty of Ios through the hiking trails that exist there, such as the path that starts from the edge of Mylopotas beach and ends at Klima beach and the path that starts from the “Odysseas Elytis” Theater and ends at the top of Pyrgos. If you also want to live this experience in Ios, visit the website iospaths.gr to find out what you need and get to know the most enchanting parts of the island.
