This stunning Greek island may be perfect for your next island getaway. Labelled as a hybrid of ‘Santorini and Mykonos’, Ios is less crowded than its more famous neighbours, and isn’t quite so expensive for tourists. Recent visitors have written that the island offers “the best of the Greek islands” all in one place.
Taking to Instagram, travel influencer @postcardsbyhannah, shared a video of her recent trip to the island, writing: “This island is seriously underrated, often written off as an island for school leavers and backpackers. The coastline is dominated by dramatic cliffs, with whitewashed villages perched on top. You’ll find charming tavernas serving fresh seafood for a fraction of what you’d pay in Mykonos, and boutique hotels and guesthouses that don’t charge Santorini rates just for a sea view.”
Ios has numerous stunning beaches to visit and is home to the famous Mylopotas Beach, which often features on lists of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean.
Visitors to Mylopotas have shared rave reviews on Tripadvisor, with one writing: “A lovely strip of golden sand with loungers for hire if required. Certificated clean blue waters …the big attraction being four or five good value taverna bars adjacent to the beach.”
While a second said: “I can not tell you how beautiful this beach is, the minute I saw it, I felt a connection. Seeing is believing the nicest Greek beach I’ve put my feet on, [the] sea is clear, I filled a water bottle and could not see the difference, sand is amazing.. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.”
Other popular beaches on the island include Manganari Beach, Agia Theodoti Beach, and Gialos Beach.
Ios is the perfect destination for those looking for a mixture of relaxation and sightseeing, with towns full of restaurants, bars and clubs so you can party the day and night away.
There is also plenty to do for those wanting to experience some history and culture while abroad. The island’s hillside is dotted with blue-and-while churches, with some claiming there are even 365 churches on Ios — one for every day of the year.
Legend claims that Ios was the final resting place of the Greek poet Homer, and it’s further claimed that he is buried in the town of Plakoto and a tomb still stands to this day.
While it’s never been proved if Homer is indeed buried in Plakoto, or if he actually existed, a marble plaque on the tomb reads: “Here is covered in the ground the holy head of the maker of heroes divine Homer.”
Tourists can also visit the remains of the Bronze Age settlement of Skarkos, another must-visit for history buffs. The site is located near the port of Ios, and a walk there will give you a perfect view of the island’s famous windmills.
A number of items excavated from Skarkos can be found in the Archaeological Museum in Chora.
While there is no airport on Ios, you can take a ferry to the island from Santorini (35 mins), Naxos (40 mins), or Athens (Piraeus port – four to seven hours).