Beyond the Ionian Islands: Exceptional Greek Villa Escapes

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Ios island, Cyclades

Ios island, or Nios as locals call it, is a small and beautiful island in the Cyclades, at the Aegean Sea. Although it has only 2,300 inhabitants, it is a world-famous island for its nightlife, especially amongst younger people. It is located at the heart of the Cyclades, north of Santorini, south of Paros and Naxos. According to tradition, Ios was the homeland of Homer’s mother and the place where Homer was buried.

Ios has over 35 golden sand beaches! Some of the well-known beaches are lively Mylopotas beach which is organized and has shops, beach bars, restaurants along the beach. Other organized beaches are Manganari at the south, Agia Theodoti facing northeast, Gialos and Koumbara facing south, close to the port of Ios. But there are many other beaches which you can access by land and still be on your own even during peak time, or discover many more which can be accessed only by sea.

Ios Chora is one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Cycladic architecture. Whitewashed houses with blue windows built close to each other, narrow alleys with colorful bougainvilleas, old windmills, churches with arched bell towers and blue domes, they are all part of a most picturesque Cycladic town. Climbing to the top of the houses, you get to Panagia Gremniotisa which is built at the edge of the cliff, one of the 365 churches of the island, with amazing views overlooking the town. Further up, you may visit the last three small churches and enjoy the most amazing sunset. The port of Ios, just below the Chora, is the second hub on the island for cafes, restaurants, and shops.

When in Chora, apart from the old Cycladic town, it is worth seeing the ruins of the Medieval castle of 1397, built by Mario Crispi, the ruler of the island. The Amiradakio building in Chora houses the town hall and the archaeological museum which hosts antiquities from the island’s history. Visit the archaeological site close to the Chora, the proto-Cycladic settlement of Skarkos (c. 2,700-2,300 BC), one of the biggest settlements of its kind. The open theatre “Odysseas Elytis” with c. 1,100 seats, hangs at the top of the Chora overlooking the beach of Mylopotas, creating a panoramic and unique setting.

In the north-east of the island you will find Paleokastro, a fortress of the Byzantine period that was used for the surveillance of the sea routes from Constantinople to Crete. The castle communicated by visual signals, fires, with castles in Naxos, Amorgos and Santorini.

Although the island is famous for its nightlife, it is also an exceptional place for relaxation for families and people that would like to avoid the crowds of other Cycladic islands. There are various restaurants, cafes, lounge bars at unique locations, offering a quality vacation experience.