Manganari is the most idyllic and beautiful beach on Ios, a string of sheltered sandy coves on the tranquil south coast of the island. About 23 kilometres and a 40-minute drive from Chora, it consists of a series of golden-sand bays, signposted as Manganari North, Middle and South, lapped by calm, crystal-clear turquoise water. A … Read more
Mylopotas is the main and most famous beach of Ios, a long, golden sweep of sand about two kilometres south of the hilltop town of Chora. Roughly a kilometre long and set in a large, sheltered, south-west-facing bay, it has soft golden sand. Crystal-clear blue-flag water and a gentle, shallow entry that makes it safe … Read more
Ios Chora is the beautiful whitewashed hilltop town that is the heart of the island, one of the loveliest of all Cycladic capitals. Built amphitheatrically on a hill about two kilometres from the port of Gialos, it is a maze of narrow. Marble-paved, pedestrianised alleys winding between dazzling white houses, blue-domed churches and bougainvillea. Crowned … Read more
The best time to visit Ios is from June to September, when the weather is hot and sunny and the sea is warm for swimming, though the ideal choice depends on what you want. For the beaches and the famous nightlife at their peak, July and August are unbeatable, but they are also the busiest … Read more
Ios has three main areas to stay, each with its own character, and choosing the right one shapes your holiday. Chora, the whitewashed hilltop town, is the heart of the island’s dining, sunset views and nightlife, ideal for those who want to be at the centre of the action. Mylopotas, the long main beach two … Read more
Getting to Ios means taking a ferry, as the island has no airport and can be reached only by sea. The main gateway is Athens, whose port of Piraeus connects to Ios daily in summer, with fast ferries taking around four and a quarter hours and conventional ferries about seven. Ferries also run from the … Read more
Ios sits at the heart of the Cyclades, on the busy ferry route between Naxos and Santorini, which makes it an excellent base for day trips to neighbouring islands. The most popular excursion is to Santorini, just 40 to 60 minutes away by ferry, for its famous caldera, cliff-top villages and volcano. The tiny neighbouring … Read more
Boat trips are one of the best things to do in Ios, opening up a beautiful coastline of hidden beaches. Sea caves and crystal-clear coves that are hard to reach by road. The most popular excursion is the seven-beaches cruise, which sails from Mylopotas to secluded southern shores such as Manganari. Tripiti, Kalamos and Plakes, … Read more
Ios has been one of the great party islands of Greece for decades, its nightlife legendary across the Cyclades. The scene has two hearts: the whitewashed town of Chora, whose maze of alleys and squares fills each summer night with bars and clubs open until dawn. The southern end of Mylopotas beach. Home to beach … Read more
Ios is blessed with more than 35 beaches of golden sand and clear turquoise water, ranging from lively organised resorts to remote, unspoilt coves. The most famous is Mylopotas, a long blue-flag beach two kilometres from Chora with sunbeds, watersports and beach bars. In the sheltered south, the idyllic coves of Manganari are ranked among … Read more