Cyclades · The ultimate island paradise
Ios
Ios wears a loud reputation and gives the quiet traveller the better half of the island: whitewashed lanes, a hilltop Chora that glows at dusk and long golden beaches. We use it as the calm middle chapter of a Cyclades journey.
By day, Ios is the ultimate Greek island paradise: tiny whitewashed houses, narrow cobblestone alleys, a picture-perfect clifftop village and mesmerising golden beaches. When the sun goes down the bars and restaurants come alive, and the island earns the reputation it carries. Our work is to show you the Ios beyond it.
An old island under a young crowd
The history of Ios starts in prehistoric times. Careans, Pelasgians, Achaeans and Phoenicians all settled here before the Ionians arrived around 1050 BC, and the most credible account says the island took its name from them. The party lanes are one century old at most; everything else is thousands.
Explore Ios
Chora
Picture-perfect Greece at its best: a medieval castle, whitewashed houses set around squares draped in bougainvillea, tavernas spilling onto the streets and locals playing backgammon in the traditional bars. At dusk the whole hillside glows.
Mylopotas
The great sweep of sand below Chora, and one of the best beaches in the islands. At its far end, Drakos has been serving fish by the water since 1963, which is the kind of consistency we trust.
Pairing Ios
On a Cyclades route, Ios sits naturally between Naxos and Santorini: the unhurried chapter, the one guests tell us they wish they had given another day.
Known first-hand
Our best picks on Ios
- Best Bar Pathos Lounge
Contemporary lines above the sea, wide Aegean views and a sunset that needs no help. The stylish place to spend an evening under the stars with a drink in hand.
- Best Beach Mylopotas
The island's great bay, a short walk from Chora: more than a kilometre of golden sand and clear water, Blue Flag standard, with beach bars, tavernas and watersports when you want them.
- Best Daytrip The island by ATV
Parts of Ios still run on dirt roads, and traffic thins out past the main beaches. An ATV opens the far side of the island at exactly the island's pace.
- Best Hidden Spot Manganari
Off the beaten path in the south: hidden coves and caves, some of the clearest water in Greece, and space for swimming and cliff jumping without an audience.
- Best Local Specialty Tsimetia
Stuffed zucchini flowers as the residents of Ios make them: rice, plenty of onion, dill, parsley and spearmint, caramelised until the sweetness of the flower comes through. Frugal homemaking raised to a treat.
- Best Sight Odysseas Elytis Amphitheatre
Above Chora, behind the windmills, a marble amphitheatre built in the ancient style that seats over a thousand. Come for the view as much as the architecture.
No airport, and better for it. Ferries link Ios with Naxos, Santorini and Piraeus on an easy line.
Design
Design your experience
Tell us the occasion, the season and who is coming. One of our Epicureans will come back with a first sketch of Ios, and will tell you if another island suits your dates better.