Things to Do in Ios, Greece: Beaches, Chora, Skarkos and Sunsets
Ask most people what Ios is known for and they will say nightlife. That is only one side of the island. Ios is a Cycladic island of long sandy beaches, easy walking paths that were once its only road network, an open air amphitheatre looking over the sea, and a prehistoric settlement older than almost anything else in the Aegean. This guide covers the things worth doing on Ios, from the famous beaches to the quiet corners, plus practical notes on getting there and getting around, so you can plan a week that goes well beyond Chora after dark.
Beaches on Ios: the four you should not miss
Ios has mostly sandy beaches with clear blue water. Some are organised with sunbeds and water sports, others are remote and quiet, and a few are best reached by boat. Four stand out.
Mylopotas is the island’s signature beach, a long stretch of sand a short drive below Chora with sunbeds, beach bars and water sports. It is the busiest beach on Ios and the easiest to reach, and it sits under three kilometres from Youtopia Villas.
Manganari in the south of the island is a series of sandy bays with shallow water, the beach most people picture when they imagine the Cyclades. It is a longer drive but worth the trip, and it is also a stop on many boat excursions.
Gialos is the beach by the port, sandy, organised and convenient, and the closest beach to the villas at Mpouris. It is a good option for a quick swim on arrival day or on the morning before the ferry.
Agia Theodoti on the east coast is quieter, with a wide sandy bay that stays calm when the north wind picks up on the west side. Bring what you need, as facilities are limited.
Beyond these, the island has Kolitsani, Koumbara, Kalamos, Sapounochoma, the beach of Papa, Psathi and a string of smaller coves such as Tris Klisies. Koumbara, close to the port, is known for its sunset.
Explore Chora on foot
Chora is built on a hill above the port, and the way to see it is to get lost in it. The whitewashed houses, the small squares and the churches follow no plan, and every turn frames a new view. Walk up to Panagia Gremiotissa, the church at the highest point of town, for the view over the port and the sunset, and look for the windmills on the ridge above the houses. Breakfast in one of the cafes, dinner in a taverna serving local dishes. Ios is known for its cheeses, from soft mizithra to spicy kefalotiri and creamy xynotiri, and for its honey. In spring, ask for cimetia, pumpkin flowers stuffed with rice.
Skarkos archaeological site
On a hill on the west side of the island, across from Sikinos, lies Skarkos, the largest settlement of the Proto Cycladic era and one of the best preserved. The stone walls of its houses and streets are still visible in concentric terraces around the hilltop, and the site has been honoured with a Cultural Heritage award by the European Union. It is a short drive from the port and an easy way to see how people lived on Ios thousands of years before the first beach bar.
The Odysseas Elytis amphitheatre
Above Chora, on the way toward Mylopotas, sits an open air theatre in the ancient Greek style, built from local stone and marble and named after the Nobel laureate poet Odysseas Elytis. It still hosts plays and events in summer, and even when nothing is on, the view from the top rows over the Aegean, Chora and Mylopotas beach is one of the best on the island. Go at sunset.
Homer’s Tomb
On the north side of Ios, on the hill of Psathopyrgos, a stone tower marks the spot that researchers consider one of the candidate burial places of Homer. The climb from the road takes about ten minutes and the reward is a wide view of the island and the sea. It is a quiet spot, rarely crowded, and pairs well with a swim at Agia Theodoti on the way back.
Walk the old paths
For centuries the footpaths of Ios were its only roads. Today they are a network of marked walking routes at low altitude, without any real difficulty, and open all year. Each season has its own colours, and in spring and autumn the walks between Chora, the beaches and the chapels are the best way to see the island’s interior. Locals say there are 365 churches and chapels on Ios, one for every day of the year, and the paths pass many of them.
Take a boat trip
Several beaches on Ios are easier to reach from the sea than from the road. Boat excursions run from the port to remote and secluded coves with crystal clear water, and for groups a private boat rental gives you the freedom to stop where you like. The team at Youtopia can put you in touch with both, and a boat day is the best answer to the question of how to see Manganari and the south coast without the drive.
Nightlife in Chora
Ios earned its reputation for nightlife honestly. In July and August the bars and clubs in the lanes of Chora fill up after midnight, and Mylopotas has its beach bars by day. If you want to go out but not sleep in the middle of it, stay a short drive away and arrange a vehicle or a transfer for the evening.
Where to base yourself
Because the island is small, the best base is somewhere central and quiet. Youtopia Villas sits in Mpouris, ten minutes from the port, under three kilometres from Gialos and Mylopotas, with views over the port and the sunset. The villas have private pools, full kitchens and daily cleaning, and the team can arrange a port transfer, vehicle or boat rental, breakfast in the villa and massages on request. Read our guide on where to stay in Ios for a breakdown by area and traveller type, or see the amenities and services page for everything included in a stay.
Getting to Ios
There is no airport on Ios. Ferries run from Piraeus and Rafina, from three to four hours on a fast boat to eleven or twelve on a conventional ferry depending on route and season. The quicker way is to fly to Santorini or Mykonos and take a ferry from there. Once on the island, a car, scooter or ATV makes the beaches and sights easy to reach, and Youtopia can help with rentals and with a transfer from the port on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ios, Greece known for?
Ios is known for its nightlife in Chora, but also for long sandy beaches such as Mylopotas and Manganari, a hilltop Chora with a reputed 365 churches and chapels, the Skarkos prehistoric settlement, the Odysseas Elytis amphitheatre and Homer’s Tomb. It is a Cycladic island with far more than a party scene.
What are the best beaches in Ios Greece?
Mylopotas, Manganari, Gialos and Agia Theodoti are the must visits. Mylopotas and Gialos are organised and close to the port, Manganari is a set of sandy bays in the south, and Agia Theodoti is a quieter east coast beach. Kolitsani, Koumbara, Kalamos, Psathi and Tris Klisies are worth a boat or a drive.
Are there beaches in Ios for families?
Yes. Mylopotas and Gialos are sandy, organised and easy to reach with children, with sunbeds and facilities. Manganari has shallow water in its bays. Youtopia Villas is under three kilometres from Mylopotas and Gialos, so a villa with a private pool and a kitchen makes a practical family base.
How do you get to Ios, Greece?
Ios has no airport. Take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina, which lasts from three to four hours on a fast boat to eleven or twelve on a conventional one, or fly to Santorini or Mykonos and continue by ferry. Youtopia can arrange a transfer from the port of Ios through its partner.
Is there a boat tour in Ios Greece?
Yes. Boat excursions leave from the port and visit remote and secluded beaches around the island, including the bays of Manganari on the south coast. Private boat rental is also available for groups who want their own itinerary, and the Youtopia team can provide information on both options.
Which is better, Naxos or Ios?
Naxos is larger, with mountain villages and a longer coastline. Ios is smaller and easier to cover in a few days, with sandy beaches, a compact Chora, Skarkos, the amphitheatre and Homer’s Tomb, plus livelier nights in summer. Many travellers combine the two, as they are connected by ferry.
What are free things to do in Ios Greece?
Walking the old paths of Ios, climbing to Panagia Gremiotissa for the sunset, exploring the lanes of Chora, visiting the Odysseas Elytis amphitheatre and the ten minute climb to Homer’s Tomb all cost nothing. Most beaches, including Agia Theodoti and Koumbara, are free to use if you bring your own towel.
