A few words
about Ios
In the endless blue of the Aegean Sea, between Santorini, Paros, Naxos and Sikinos, emerges one of the most beautiful islands of Greece, Ios.
A small island that stands out for its large golden beaches, crystal clear waters and picturesque coves. Characteristic of Ios is that it has 86 km of coastline, of which 32 km are sandy beaches!
It has an area of 108 square kilometers with relative dimensions, length 17 km and width 7.5 km. The distance from Piraeus is 108 nautical miles. The ferry transport is very frequent with Piraeus, Rafina and the surrounding islands.
Especially in the summer there are daily connections with other islands, either by speedboats or by conventional ships, such as Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos, Sikinos, Folegandros.
A small island that stands out for its large golden beaches, crystal clear waters and picturesque coves. Characteristic of Ios is that it has 86 km of coastline, of which 32 km are sandy beaches!
It has an area of 108 square kilometers with relative dimensions, length 17 km and width 7.5 km. The distance from Piraeus is 108 nautical miles. The ferry transport is very frequent with Piraeus, Rafina and the surrounding islands.
Especially in the summer there are daily connections with other islands, either by speedboats or by conventional ships, such as Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos, Sikinos, Folegandros.
How to get to Ios
The island is 111 nautical miles from the main port of Piraeus. There are various solutions to reach the island of Ios. Initially, you can be on the island of Ios by boat from the port of Piraeus or Rafina.
The voyage lasts from 3-4 hours to 11-12 depending on the type of ship you choose. The ferry itineraries to Ios vary depending on the season. In the summer months, the Ios-Piraeus routes are definitely more frequent.
Ios does not have an airport. This does not mean, however, that you can not travel by plane and reach the boat with the final means of access. You can plan an air trip to the airports of Santorini or Mykonos and travel by ferry to Ios.
The itineraries are many times and daily and the ferry connection is frequent. But be sure to find out in advance about the itineraries of the ships. Also, you can be in Heraklion, Crete and from there go by boat to Ios, as there is a ferry connection between the two islands.
The voyage lasts from 3-4 hours to 11-12 depending on the type of ship you choose. The ferry itineraries to Ios vary depending on the season. In the summer months, the Ios-Piraeus routes are definitely more frequent.
Ios does not have an airport. This does not mean, however, that you can not travel by plane and reach the boat with the final means of access. You can plan an air trip to the airports of Santorini or Mykonos and travel by ferry to Ios.
The itineraries are many times and daily and the ferry connection is frequent. But be sure to find out in advance about the itineraries of the ships. Also, you can be in Heraklion, Crete and from there go by boat to Ios, as there is a ferry connection between the two islands.
The beaches
in Ios
The beaches of Ios are famous for their crystal clear waters. Every year several of them are awarded a blue flag. The island has several organized beaches, suitable for sea games and water sports. In Ios, however, you will also find beautiful hidden coves, which can only be reached by boat or by footpath. Our favorite beaches in Ios are:
Gialos: A stone's throw from the port of Ios, is the second most densely populated area of the island. Enjoy your sunbathing on the golden sand and a variety of water sports and scuba diving in its crystal clear waters. Along the beach you can find many restaurants, traditional taverns and modern beach bars.
Mylopotas: The most popular beach of the island, has a golden sandy beach and crystal clear blue waters. It is organized with umbrellas, sunbeds and a beach bar. Here you can also do water sports.
Manganari: Large impressive beach with exotic beauty. It has golden sand and wonderful turquoise waters. It is organized in a part of it and has some catering shops.
Kalamos: Large sandy shore with crystal clear blue-green waters. It is quite deserted, as it is not organized and access is by dirt road.
Psathi: Small and quite quiet sandy beach. It is organized in a part of it and overlooks Heraklion.
Papa Beach: Beautiful cove with calm crystal clear waters, surrounded by a green landscape. Ideal for those who want to enjoy quiet moments by the sea.
Three Churches: Deserted beach next to Manganari, accessible by footpath. It is worth it to take a dip in the clear blue waters!
Gialos: A stone's throw from the port of Ios, is the second most densely populated area of the island. Enjoy your sunbathing on the golden sand and a variety of water sports and scuba diving in its crystal clear waters. Along the beach you can find many restaurants, traditional taverns and modern beach bars.
Mylopotas: The most popular beach of the island, has a golden sandy beach and crystal clear blue waters. It is organized with umbrellas, sunbeds and a beach bar. Here you can also do water sports.
Manganari: Large impressive beach with exotic beauty. It has golden sand and wonderful turquoise waters. It is organized in a part of it and has some catering shops.
Kalamos: Large sandy shore with crystal clear blue-green waters. It is quite deserted, as it is not organized and access is by dirt road.
Psathi: Small and quite quiet sandy beach. It is organized in a part of it and overlooks Heraklion.
Papa Beach: Beautiful cove with calm crystal clear waters, surrounded by a green landscape. Ideal for those who want to enjoy quiet moments by the sea.
Three Churches: Deserted beach next to Manganari, accessible by footpath. It is worth it to take a dip in the clear blue waters!
Sights of Ios
The island has a large Archaeological Museum housed in the Amiradakeio Palace. There you can see information about the natural environment and the archaeological history of the island, with exhibits mainly from the Middle and Late Bronze Age.
At the same time, the museum of Ios has collections of traditional pieces from the modern history of the island, exhibits that are equally important for the Cycladic culture as a whole. Many of the museum's exhibits come from the Skarkos Archaeological Site.
The Prehistoric settlement of Skarkos is one of the most important settlements of the Cyclades and shows the structure and organization of the Cyclades in ancient times. The archeological site is located in one of the largest cultivated areas in Ios, the lower plain, and the area with the dry stones that surround it will introduce you in the best way to the atmosphere of the circular, stone-built settlement of Skarkos.
An important element for the location of the island in antiquity is that on the island is the tomb of Homer. Homer, the greatest epic poet of all time, left his last breath in the area of Plakotos, where his tomb is. Mythology states that he died in Ios unable to solve the riddle set by fishermen in the area of Plakotos.
Also important sights are the Mills of Ios and the "Odysseas Elytis" Theater. The windmills are located in the part where the Aegean wind reaches high intensities and speeds. Their Cycladic architecture is special and unique. The Theater is an open, ancient Greek type, designed by the architect Peter Haupt. It hosts major cultural events and theatrical performances, actions that strengthen the cultural identity of the island and upgrade the island as a whole.
At the same time, the museum of Ios has collections of traditional pieces from the modern history of the island, exhibits that are equally important for the Cycladic culture as a whole. Many of the museum's exhibits come from the Skarkos Archaeological Site.
The Prehistoric settlement of Skarkos is one of the most important settlements of the Cyclades and shows the structure and organization of the Cyclades in ancient times. The archeological site is located in one of the largest cultivated areas in Ios, the lower plain, and the area with the dry stones that surround it will introduce you in the best way to the atmosphere of the circular, stone-built settlement of Skarkos.
An important element for the location of the island in antiquity is that on the island is the tomb of Homer. Homer, the greatest epic poet of all time, left his last breath in the area of Plakotos, where his tomb is. Mythology states that he died in Ios unable to solve the riddle set by fishermen in the area of Plakotos.
Also important sights are the Mills of Ios and the "Odysseas Elytis" Theater. The windmills are located in the part where the Aegean wind reaches high intensities and speeds. Their Cycladic architecture is special and unique. The Theater is an open, ancient Greek type, designed by the architect Peter Haupt. It hosts major cultural events and theatrical performances, actions that strengthen the cultural identity of the island and upgrade the island as a whole.
