1. Welcome to Ios island
The island of Ios is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Cyclades, The island fascinates its tourists with its beautiful beaches, golden sands and turquoise waters, and the characteristic Aegean architecture. Besides the natural beauty of the island of Ios, it is a well known Greek island for its vibrant nightlife and endless entertainment offered to visitors. Ios is a typical party island!!
If you would like to visit the few picturesque villages of Ios, you could use the main bus services, the buses will take you to most villages and in the summer time the buses are very frequent. For more information about buses on Ios : +30 22860 92015
If a bus does not help you, then the next best choice is to call a taxi: +30 22860 24331
If you would prefer to create a tour by yourself around the island of Ios, then it might be better to rent a vehicle of your own on Ios.
If you would like to visit the beautiful island of Ios, you may book your accommodation through our site and get a special discount. If you need any extra information, then please contact us here information@abettergreece.com or +30 69 34 620 501 / +30 22840 24 879
Ios was conspired to be the birth place of the God Eros in Greek mythology. Eros was the son of Aphrodite and was famous for his magical arrows; whoever he struck with his arrows fell immediately in love with the first person that appeared before them. Ios used to be called Phonice in Ancient Greece, which meant the place with the stones or rocks. As Ios has many stony areas we can understand why it was named Phonice. The locals call their island Nios and not Ios.
2. Activities on Ios
HIKING ON IOS
We will help you experience the island and its people, the way they live and work. We will take you walking to remote beaches. We can take you fishing, show you how mountain honey is collected and how the local cheese is still made by the shepherd in his hut on the mountain. Guided hiking around Ios or advice on where to take the best hikes on Antiparos.
3. Best beaches on Ios
Skarkos’ Hill: Visitors can see the remains of an Early Bronze Age settlement. This is an extremely important archaeological site providing evidence of a much earlier, developed society on the island and the views from the top of the hill are stunning.
The Archaeological Museum in Chora – opening hours 08:00-14:00 except Mondays and bank holidays.
4. Sightseeing on Ios
Skarkos’ Hill: Visitors can see the remains of an Early Bronze Age settlement. This is an extremely important archaeological site providing evidence of a much earlier, developed society on the island and the views from the top of the hill are stunning.
The Archaeological Museum in Hora – opening hours 08:00-14:00 except Mondays and bank holidays.
5. Villages and settlements on Ios
Ios or Nios -as it is called by the locals- is a very beautiful and picturesque Greek Island with excellent sandy beaches and hundreds chapels. Its pretty Chora (capital), is a dazzling mix of white washed houses and blue domed churches.
Yialos (or Gialos): Ios port, 2Km from Chora and only 600 meters from the hotel. Yialos with is own life is quieter than Chora and has a sandy beach with more local feel, water sports, tavernas, bars, shopping. Close to Yialos are Koubara and Kolitsani beaches. Behind the port climbs the old stairway to Chora (20 minutes). Alternatively you can take a bus or carry on to Mylopotas beach. From Yialos there are caiques to some of the beaches of the island.
Manganari: In the south part of the island and 23 km away from the center is located the Manganari’s beach. In fact, this enchanting bay is divided into five consequent beaches and gulfs with shallow, crystalline emerald waters. This place is ideal for swimming and sunbathing. In additional, it provides water sports facilities for endless hours of fun. Along the beach there are taverns, where you can taste fresh fish and local dishes. During your stay there don’t miss to visit the byzantine monastery of Saint Ioannis near the beach of Kalamos. We have to mention that in Manganari was shot the movie “Infinite Blue”. There are buses that leave from the port, Chora and Mylopotas, as well as taxi-boats from Gialos.
Mylopotas: Is Ios most popular and one of the most famous party beaches of the Cyclades. The crystal clear waters are ideal for swimming and it has been awarded the blue flag.
Ios Chora: Chora is twenty minutes walking distance from the hotel) the island’s capital, is one of the finest towns in Cyclades. Built on the top of a hill, with medieval castle (built in 1400), white washed houses, maze streets, churches and a dozen of windmills reminding you of past days, when the islanders used the wind power efficiently to make their windmills work. There are remains of the walls of the ancient city and there are ruins of the Temple of Apollo, close to Ayia Aekaterini church. At the top of Hora is the chapel of Ayios Nikolaos and under the castle the church of Panayia Gremiotissa.
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6. The history and mythology of Ios
Excavations on Skarkos hill unearthed a prehistoric settlement, proving that Ios has been inhabited since the early Cycladic period. The architecture at Skarkos is preserved in places up to a height of almost three meters, with most of the buildings evidently having two storeys, stone-paved floors and a sewage system. Numerous well-preserved pottery, tools and utensils made of metal, stone and bone were also discovered. Unfortunately, the Skarkos site remains largely unpublished. In 2008, Ios was among six European locations (out of 109 candidates) awarded the European Union Cultural Heritage prize for its exceptional conservation efforts at the archaeological site of Skarkos.
During later times, Ios made rather few marks in history. According to ancient tradition, Homer’s mother was from Ios, and he himself was buried there – and indeed the locals will show visitors the site of the ancient town of Plakotos at the northernmost end of the island, where the rocky entrance to a tomb may be seen. There is no physical evidence connecting this with Homer however. There are signs of Mycenaean settlement. The north end of Ios has a ruined Venetian castle from the 15th century. The island is said to have 365 churches and chapels, like the days of the year.
IOS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Ios was conspired to be the birth place of the God Eros in Greek mythology. Eros was the son of Aphrodite and was famous for his magical arrows; whoever he struck with his arrows fell immediately in love with the first person that appeared before them. Ios used to be called Phonice in Ancient Greece, which meant the place with the stones or rocks. As Ios has many stony areas we can understand why it was named Phonice. The locals call their island Nios and not Ios.
7. Rent a car on Ios
| COMPANY NAME | TYPE OF BUSINESS | LOCATION | TELEPHONE NUMBER |
| Acteon | Rent a car / motorbike | IOS | +30 22860 91003 |
| Rent a car | Rent a car / motorbike | IOS | +30 6972 813236 |
8. Useful information about Ios island
Ios is a very popular tourist destination in the Cyclades, The island fascinates its tourists with its beautiful beaches, golden sands and blue waters, and the characteristic Aegean architecture. Besides the natural beauty of the island of Ios, it is a well known Greek island for its vibrant nightlife and endless entertainment offered to visitors. Ios is a typical party island!!
If you would like to visit the few picturesque villages of Ios, you could use the main bus services, the buses will take you to most villages and in the summer time the buses are very frequent. For more information about buses on Ios : +30 22860 92015
If a bus does not help you, then the next best choice is to call a taxi: +30 22860 24331
If you would prefer to create a tour by yourself around the island of Ios, then it might be better to rent a vehicle of your own on Ios.
Ios was conspired to be the birth place of the God Eros in Greek mythology. Eros was the son of Aphrodite and was famous for his magical arrows; whoever he struck with his arrows fell immediately in love with the first person that appeared before them. Ios used to be called Phonice in Ancient Greece, which meant the place with the stones or rocks. As Ios has many stony areas we can understand why it was named Phonice. The locals call their island Nios and not Ios.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS ON IOS
| Main police station on Ios | +30 22860 91222 / +30 22860 92222 |
| Port Police on Ios | +30 22860 91264 |
| Tourist police on Ios | +30 22860 92222 |
| Ambulance service on Ios | +30 22860 28611 |
| Hospital / Health center on Ios | +30 22860 28611 |
| Pharmacy on Ios | +30 22860 91562 |
| Dentist on Ios | +30 22860 92096 |
| Private doctor on Ios | +30 22860 |
| Children’s doctor on Ios | +30 22860 |
| Fire department on Ios | +30 22860 |
| Tourist information office on Ios | +30 22860 |
| Ferry scheduales on Ios | +30 22860 92490 |
| Travel agency on Ios | +30 22860 92140 / +30 22860 92490 |
| Taxi station on Ios | +30 22860 24331 |
| Bus station on Ios | +30 22860 92015 |
| Lawyer on Ios | +30 22860 |
| Municipality of Ios | +30 22860 91505 / +30 22860 91028 |
| Taxation office on Ios | +30 22860 |
| Post office on Ios | +30 22860 91235 |
RENT A CAR ON IOS ISLAND
| COMPANY NAME | TYPE OF BUSINESS | LOCATION | TELEPHONE NUMBER |
| Acteon | Rent a car / motorbike | IOS | +30 22860 91003 |
| Rent a car | Rent a car / motorbike | IOS | +30 6972 813236 |
GETTING AROUND IOS
If you would like to visit the few picturesque villages of Ios, you could use the main bus services, the buses will take you to most villages and in the summer time the buses are very frequent. For more information about buses on Ios : +30 22860 92015
If a bus does not help you, then the next best choice is to call a taxi: +30 22860 24331
If you would prefer to create a tour by yourself around the island of Ios, then it might be better to rent a vehicle of your own on Ios.
FERRIES TO AND FROM IOS ISLAND
The most popular way to get to Ios is by ferry. In the summer time, there are more than six ferries per day to and from Ios from the main port of Greece which is Piraeus. You can get to all the near-by Aegean islands by getting a ferry from the main port of Ios.
You will be surprised at the amount of ferries arriving and departing from Ios per day. As well as the normal ferries there are hydrofoils (so-called “Sea jets”; no transportation of cars, motorbikes possible) and high-speed catamarans (“High speed”) that take you to your destination in half the time but the ticket costs double the price of a usual ferry (i.e. Blue Star Ferries). The ferries are now quite reliable and with their comfortable and modern lounges and decks you should have a very pleasant journey to your destination. Cabins on the ferries are available but are not classed as necessary.
We wish you a nice trip !!!
If you would like to visit the beautiful island of Ios, you may book your accommodation through our site and get a special discount. If you need any extra information, then please contact us here information@abettergreece.com or +30 69 34 620 501 / +30 22840 24 879