Travel Ios Guide

Though best known as a party spot, Greece's island of Ios is recognized secondly for its friendly population. For most of the year, Ios is a sleepy island in which visitors are free to mingle with the locals, play some backgammon in the town square and eat at one of the many delicious restaurants. While the nightlife in the city is lively, the beaches are often quiet and deserted and Ios known to be a very family-friendly place.

Though less popular than neighboring islands such as Mykonos and Rhodes, Ios has some stunningly beautiful beaches. The popular Miloportas beach is classically gorgeous, with soft sand and deep blue water. Smaller, quieter beaches can be found in abundance, including those in the secluded coves of Kolitsani, Klima and Laorezena. For the naturist traveler, there are many nude beaches on Ios and also an abundance of beaches secluded enough to worry not for rules.

The city of Hora (Ios' main city) is host to a wealth of fine dining options. The most popular restaurant on the Island is Lord Byron’s, serving up classic Greek and fresh seafood at its main location, and at the secondary Old Byron’s; this restaurant was voted Ios' best restaurant in 2005. There are many delicious beach-side eateries serving up simple seafood dishes, donner kebabs and salads at reasonable prices. There is also a fare share of Turkish and Italian food to be had and even a Thai restaurant.

In addition to its restaurants, Hora offers the quaintness of all the Greek islands in its classically Cycladic architecture; the white-washed houses with blue roofs seemingly growing out of steep cliff sides up winding dirt roads. The city is also home to a Venetian castle and numerous archaeological sites, as well as the gorgeous chapel of Agios Nicholas and the ruins of the ancient city. The steep staircases up the cliffs lead you to quaint vista spots with stunning views; the perfect place for a Greek picnic.

Though Ios is great for partying, this is not all that the beautiful island should be known for. With its many beaches, lovely locals and excellent food; Ios is a great vacation spot for revelers and relaxers alike.