Ios Island is more than a party Island
Page note summary
Ios Island. Gialos (Ormos)Port. Gialos Beaches and Where to Stay. Koumbara beach and Erego Club and Restaurant. Chora the Village. The Swedish Midsummer Party. Mylopotas beach activities and where to stay, this is where the party starts. Drakos Taverna, More Ios fab beaches, where to stay and tavernas. Calilo a fantastic beach resort. Homers tomb. Get your guide to Ios/the Cyclades. Easy to get to Ios. Visits 2008 - 2013 All Our Photos except 2 provided by Visit Greece (GNTO) Page latest update 2025.
Ios Island,
part of The Cyclades Islands lies between Naxos, Sikinos and Santorini islands.
Ios is known as the party island (especially July-August) with a lively atmosphere and endless fun, however, Ios remains a beautiful island with nice beaches and plenty of sunshine. If you like me missed out to visit Ios when you were young even if I felt young 2009 (my first visit to Ios)
Ios become a popular student destination in the 1960s, offering a heady cocktail of sun, sand and sex.
Gialos (Ormos) Port and beach resort
The picture show Gialos also known as Ormos port at my arrival. The port area full of life with tavernas, bars cafes and busy when ferries dock. Some accommodation behind the port area. It was in this area I stayed at my first visit to Ios 2009.
Place to stay
I stayed 3 nights at family owned Hotel Armadoros, (3 star) good location, short walking distance from the port. Basic good size room, pool and friendly service. Good value to affordable price.
(See view from my terrace top image)
The bay formed Gialos sandy beach
stretches out, its large, family-friendly, organised and a good choice of water sport and behind the beach the village/resort of Gialos, good choice of accommodation plenty of bars and tavernas.
Koumbara Beach
Easy to find, drive on the Gialos beach road to the far end and head towards Koumbara Beach located 6 km from The Village.
Year 2009. I was recommended to visit this pristine beach area, untouched, peaceful, however, I was not alone, a local single person was fishing from the beach. Little did I know then how this beach area would change 15 years later. Check out the link below to Erego Beach Club and Resort and you can follow the changes.
Erego Beach Club and Restaurant
Koumbara bay formed beach, soft sand has a length of nearly 200 meters. Rocks at both end of the beach. Organised beach umbrellas and beach loungers, Popular and crowded in the summer.
Chora (popular name The Village)
is the capital of the island is built around the sides of a hill, above the port of Gialos/Ormos, (distance 2 km). Uphill but resonably easy walk from the port, (to carry suitcases could be a challenge) just follow the signs off the main road out of town up the hill.
Alternative choice take the local bus (Ktel Bus) from the port to Chora (The Village), the bus stop, is opposite the large cathedral located on one of the enclosed paved squares, known here as piazzes. The impressive cathedral was originally named Ayios Nikolaos then renamed to Evangelismos. Next to the cathedral is a small church called Ayios Ioannis Prodromos. The majority of the shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs lie just behind the cathedral.
The Swedish Midsummer Party celebration
is one of the biggest party every summer. The Party starts at 9 in the morning, with drinking in The Village in the area around Flames bar. Early afternoon the party crowd moves on to the Mylopotas beach and to the Far Out Beach Club where the party continues around the pool.
Image by Greek National Tourist Office
Back to the Village,
windmills standing on the hill side, many been restored by the Municipality of Ios. Above the windmills the Odysseas Elytis open-air theatre designed of the ancient Greek amphie-style (dedicated to the Nobel prize winning in literature 1979) seat capacity around 1,000. Locals and visitors performs during the summer season.
Mylopotas Beach this is where the party starts
Ios most famous beach,
shaped as a horseshoe and over 1km long. Lots of water sports facilities including scuba diving. Located here is the popular, Far Out Beach Club it has everything to keep you entertained throughout your stay. From pool competitions, sports facilities, beach volleyball, cyber café and cinema and choice of accommodation.
Links to Mylopotas water sports include book on line and Ios activity offers by Meltemi include book on line.
Enjoy a meal at the waters edgat the west end of Mylopotas Beach is where you will find Drakos Taverna. I found it 2009 (46 years after the taverna opened in1963).
Easy to get to Mylopotas Beach
Buses run to and from the Port, through the main village of Chora to Mylopotas every 15 minutes. It is a short journey of about 10-15 minutes depending on your start point. Walking and enjoy the full panoramic view of Mylopotas Beach by walking down the old donkey trail to the beach from The Village.
Spectacular Ios Beaches
Manganari Beach area Ios Island
Manganari Beach
It is formed by 3 large beaches and several small ones that form coves with golden sand and shallow, turquoise waters. Good choice for families with children because of the shallow water. Located approximately 22km from Hora
Accommodations available in villas and Room for rents, tavernas, sunbeds, parasolls a few water activities. Late Sptember2009 was my first visit, at that time of the year very quiet. I enjoyed my Greek salad for lunch at Christos Taverna (16 years later still there 2025)
If you want to escape the “party” Dimitris Rooms on the beach could be a relaxing alternative
How to get to Manganari Beach
By bus. There are several daily departures from the Port, The Village or Mylopotas Beach.
By boat. There are daily departures from the Port in the morning.
By hire car / scooter / motorbike.Enjoy the breath-taking views on the way to this fabulous beach.
Avlaki to Papa Beach
A secluded bay, hidden by two large hillsides, bare landscape, will give you a great colourful impression the crystal clear waters in shape of blue and smooth sandy beach. Countless Palm trees.
Calilo
A fantastic beach resort at the Avlaki to Papa beach , accommodation, dining, bar and boat tors check it out.
Aghia Theodoti Beach end of September and towards the end of the season
Aghia Theodoti Beach
Quiet and relaxing atmosphere, allegedly one of the most peaceful beaches of Ios. 650 meter long, sandy beach. Sunbeds and parasols and beach taverna available. Located 14km from The Village.
Tris Klisies beach
Sandy beach with clear blue water. Smallish beach, without facilities that is preferred by nudists. Located in the south-eastern part of the island. Short distance from Manganari Beach.
Psathi Beach
Psathi beach sandy beach plus a small flat rock area. Two more beaches just walk along the main beach. No umbrellas or sunbeds (2023) Popular beach for windsurfers. Some tavernas and rooms for rent. lies in the unspoilt valley of Psathi on the islands east coast,
Something different
Visit Greek poet Homer’s tomb
According to the local folklore, It is beliеved that the Anciеnt Greek poеt Hоmer died οn Iоs, his mοther`s birthplaсе. Today his tоmb (stone plaque) cаn be fοund on a hill with amazing wievs over the Mediterranean sea towards several other Islands like Antiparos, Paros).
Located
nеar the nоrth сοаst of Iоs, 12 кm frοm Iοs Chorа.
Parking area
Easy walk, slightly uphill on dust track from a parking area.
Homers Tomb
As I discover when I visited the area 2009, there is a Homer’s monument, (looks like pile of stones) to visit. Earlier visitors have left their own stone designs to be seen there. If you are looking and searching tranquility, this is the place, no other living soul arrived and I was enjoying this idyllic, tranquil spot on my own. There is nothing else there, no services of any kind.
What to bring
Water, snacks and beach gear, there are a few nice small beaches nearby, (walking distance) try Plakoto beach 1.5km
Get your Activity Guide to Ios
Easy to get to Ios Island
By air
Ios have no airport. The closets islands with airport is: Mykonos airport (JMK) Santorini airport (JTR)
Domestic flights to-from Athens daily. Flight time is approximately 35-45 minutes. European charter traffic and other International flights use Mykonos and Santorini airport between April – October. Close by airports with domestic flights only at present to: Paros (PAS) and Naxos (JNX)
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By sea
Main ferry port Gialos/Ormos approx, 2.2km from The Village, Transport by bus, taxi and private transfer arranged by some hotel. Local bus (KTEL) from Ormos port.
Ferry services from Athens Piraeus during the whole year as well as from a few other Cyclades islands.Ferries daily to/from Paros, Santorini, Naxos
Ferries from Ios to Paros or Naxos: fastest around 1 hour. 30 minutes ferry journey to Santorini, Depending on the ferry company and the vessel that you choose. Ios Island is located conveniently along the Mykonos - Santorini ferry route and well connected from/to other Cyclades Islands,
Island Hoppers
Allow plenty of time for your return flight and always plan and arrange an easily accessible final return port of call. Play safe is the name of the game, allow a minimum of at least one clear day to spare or more. Ferries can be cancelled due to very strong winds etc.
Book your Ferry
Book your ferry with Ferries in Greece for simple trip or for Island hoppers ferry itinerary
