Things to do in Ios
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Ios
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
The season; everything open, the party at full volume July-August
Quiet; some places closed; good for walkers and the beaches
The island sleeps; most hotels, restaurants and bars closed, thin ferries
What's on
- Homeria festival late summer
Cultural events; check the year's programme
Best things to do in Ios
Chora of Ios
Hill town lanes and windmills; walk it late afternoon, stay for dinner.
Panagia Gremiotissa
Hilltop church above Chora; the island's sunset spot.
Odysseas Elytis Theatre
Open-air marble theatre above Chora; summer concerts.
Skarkos
Early Bronze Age settlement; 4,500-year-old foundations, quiet and free.
Paleokastro
Ruined fortress on the ridge; a morning hike with big views.
Mylopotas Beach
The long Blue Flag arc; sand, windsurfing, taverna-bars.
Manganari Beach
Four turquoise coves at the southern tip; bring water.
Agia Theodoti Beach
Wide sandy east-coast beach, quieter than Mylopotas.
Best restaurants in Ios
The Mills
Greek restaurant by the windmills; moussaka and lamb chops.
Lord Byron
The taverna locals recommend; grilled meats and honest meze.
Sainis Taverna
Seafood taverna; the shrimp pasta for two.
Katogi
Greek barbecue and tapas; the mixed grill, good value.
Drakos Tavern
Beachfront lunch at the bay's south end; fish off their own boat.
The Octopus Tree
Octopus drying on the tree out front; grilled after 8pm.
Salt Restaurant Bar
Seafood and international menu; sea bass or risotto.
Almyra By The Sea
Bar and seafood by the water.
Best bars in Ios
FarOut Beach Club
The beach club; gyros by day, international DJs by night.
Slammer Bar
The Chora institution for shots and dancing; fills after 1am.
Coo Bar Ios
Cocktail bar on the bar street; signature cocktails.
Baru Bar
Stylish bar with dry-ice cocktails; the dressier end of the street.
Outdoor things to do in Ios
Homer's Tomb
Traditional burial site on a wild northern headland; the drive is half the point.
Kolitsani Beach
Secluded cove near Chora for a quiet swim.
Psathi Beach
Small sandy east-coast beach with calm water.
Sikinos
Quiet neighbouring island; ferry day trip, check the timetable.
Kalamos Beach
Long wilder beach on the south-east coast.
Best hotels in Ios
Liostasi Hotel
Design boutique hotel; Small Luxury Hotels member with pool and spa.
Levantes Ios Boutique Hotel
Boutique hotel over Mylopotas with island views.
Far Out Hotel & Spa
The party hotel above the beach; rooftop pool and spa.
Ios Palace Hotel & Spa
Four-star on the bay's mountainside; balconies over Mylopotas.
Dionysos Seaside Resort
Four-star right on the beach; sea, pool and garden views.
Hotel Faros
Between the bay and Chora; sea-view verandas, bus stop next door.
Pelagos Hotel - Apartments
Apartments with patios; good for longer stays.
FarOut Village Hotel & Restaurant
Cycladic-style hotel in shaded gardens with pool and restaurant.
Is Ios expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | €85 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | €140 a person |
| Splurge | €310 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Salt Restaurant Bar: a few days ahead
- Liostasi Hotel: months ahead
- Levantes Ios Boutique Hotel: weeks ahead
- Far Out Hotel & Spa: weeks ahead
- Ios Palace Hotel & Spa: months ahead
- Dionysos Seaside Resort: months ahead
- Hotel Faros: weeks ahead
- Pelagos Hotel - Apartments: weeks ahead
- July and August hotels: book weeks ahead; the island sells out
- Liostasi and Ios Palace: months ahead for August
- August ferries: book ahead
Is Ios safe?
- Ios is safe, but the party season brings drink spiking and beach-bag theft on the bar street and at Mylopotas. Keep drinks in sight, do not leave valuables on the beach, and use the hotel safe. The scooter roads are the real danger: ride sober and slowly. Emergency number 112.
Ios travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Mylopotas lounger wars in August: arrive before 11am or pay premium for front rows
- Bar-street drink deals: the cheapest shots are the worst spirits
- Scooter rental without inspecting the bike first
Getting around Ios: public transport and more
- Walk Chora: the town is lanes and steps; no vehicles needed
- The port-Chora-Mylopotas bus runs constantly in season and is the main transport
- Scooter or ATV for Manganari and the far beaches; check brakes and photograph damage first
- Ferries run on the Piraeus-Santorini line; book summer ferries ahead
Who Ios suits
| Solo travellers | Great |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Great |
| Couples | Good |
| Bachelor parties | Great |
| Families | OK |
| Bachelorette parties | Great |
Make Ios your trip
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