Ios Things To Do
Ios is so much more than just a party island. Although many come to Ios for its renowned nightlife, those that are willing to venture a little further afield than the bars and clubs will not be disappointed. From superb boutique shopping to archaeological sites, boat trips, chilling out in gorgeous little squares drinking frappes and playing backgammon, driving around the island in a four wheel drive, relaxing on any of the many stunning beaches, and a huge range of water sports, there really is something for everyone here. Exploring this beautiful island is such a rewarding experience and one that you will not forget in a hurry.
Shopping
In the morning and late into the evening, Ios Village is alive with wonderful shops selling a diverse range of clothes, shoes, jewellery and art. Wonder through the pretty bougainvillea lined alleyways of the village and you won’t find big outlets here, just little boutiques selling cool stuff that none of your friends will have back home. There are numerous jewellery shops offering a selection of gorgeous creations to suit all budgets, as well as clothes shops selling everything from creative originals to more well known designer names. Our faves are Oioi Geeza’s Clothing (featured below), Bolero near the bottom square and Mirabello for an eclectic mix of art, music and clothing. There are loads of great shops in Ios though, so we suggest a slow evening stroll through the village where perhaps a small spending spree may find itself upon you.
Featured Shop: Oioi Geeza Clothing
Run by flamboyant and charming Englishman Mark (aka Oioi), Oioi Geeza Clothing sells an amazingly varied selection of exciting and vibrant clothes, shoes, jewellery and beachwear. Specialising in retro and alternative fashion, Oioi stocks a range of well known designers including Peter Chenaski, Fred Perry, Ben Sherman, Hurley Surfwear and Hell Bunny and is an expert at choosing the very best in imaginative designs that somehow look fab on just about everyone. Best sellers so far this summer have been Chenaski’s retro shirts and singlets for guys and Hell Bunny’s 1950s style swing dresses and you can see why: these clothes offer something different and interesting and give your holiday a bit of added colour and fun. Throw in a pair of polka dot high heels, or anything else from Oioi’s truly inspired shoe collection and you’ve got it made. The shop is brilliantly done out and Mark will help you find whatever you need and is also a great source of knowledge about the island, which he will happily share with anyone who asks. Located opposite Rehab and just behind Ios Bakery, Oioi Geeza is a shop you simply must visit – treat yourself to something and look fantastic for your night out in Ios.
Beaches
What better to do on the Greek Islands than go to the beach, soak up some sunshine and swim in the sea? And Ios is blessed with some of the very best beaches in Greece. From the vibrant and fun Mylopotas to the stunning double bays of Manganari to the many tiny little beaches dotted around the coast that are only reachable by boat, there really are some amazing beaches to explore all over the island. You can rent a car, take the bus or go on a boat trip, but whichever way you choose to visit the many wonderful beaches of Ios you will not be disappointed. More detailed information on Ios’s beaches coming soon.
Watersports
If you want a little bit more from the crystal clear waters of the Aegean than just a swim and a beautiful view, Ios offers a huge range of watersports. A stroll down to Mylopotas Beach will give you a plethora of options. Here you can learn to windsurf, waterski or wakeboard, skimming over the water at pace is a great way to while away the afternoon. Or you could kick your hangover into shape with an adrenalin pumping tube ride in which you hop onto a large inflatable with handles and get dragged around behind a speed boat with your mates. Hilarious and terrifying, you feel surprisingly revitalised afterwards. Also on offer is scuba diving, with a free dive in the pool for newbies and shipwrecks off the coast for more experienced divers, there is something for everyone. For anything else water-based, just go along and ask. Mylopotas Beach is home to two different watersports companies, but our fave is Meltemi at the far end of the beach, outside Far Out Camping.
History
Ios is rife with history, with archaeological sites, an ancient tomb, old city walls and a small museum, there is so much to learn about the island if you feel so inclined.
The most recently opened of these is the Pro-Cycladic Settlement on Skarkos Hill. Opened to the public in 2009, this site is the earliest known settlement in the Cyclades, dating back to 2800 BC. The town has been excavated and is in good condition, showing the remains of a village of houses, some of them having once been two-storeys, arranged around narrow alleyways and a series of small squares. The advanced architecture for the period combined with this being the oldest settlement in the area discovered to date make this a significant finding from an archaeological perspective. Wandering around the often deserted site leaves one with a sense of awe at the sheer age of the place and the nature of the excavation makes it easy to imagine early dwellers going about their daily lives almost five thousand years ago. Those wishing to visit will find it in the flat area behind the port in the north west of the island, but check first as opening times can be erratic. The archaeological museum in the Town Hall in the village houses a collection of bronze age artefacts found at the Skarkos site and provides an interesting overview of the history of Ios.
A further archaeological site is Paleokastro on the eastern side of the island. A 15 minute walk uphill from the beach of Psathi lies the ruins of a 10th century Byzantine castle. Much of the castle has now slipped into the sea but the site still provides an interesting insight into the island’s history, when it would have been used to defend Ios against intruders and invaders such as pirates.
Ancient Greek poet Homer, writer of the Iliad and the Odyssey and who’s life dates back to the 8th century BC, is believed to be buried in Ios. Remains of his tomb can be found at the very north of the island, past the village of Vouni and although much of the site has been rebuilt, this is well worth a visit if only to pay homage to one of history’s literary greats.
Several thousand years prior to the village being the vibrant centre of bars and restaurants that it is today, there was an ancient castle and town at that exact spot. The outer wall of this was constructed out of huge pieces of stone, parts of which are still standing today and are surprisingly well preserved. These can be found on the north-western side of the village. Even if you never go and see them, it is quite humbling to think of the many thousands of Greek ancestors that have walked the alleyways of Ios before you.
The most recently opened of these is the Pro-Cycladic Settlement on Skarkos Hill. Opened to the public in 2009, this site is the earliest known settlement in the Cyclades, dating back to 2800 BC. The town has been excavated and is in good condition, showing the remains of a village of houses, some of them having once been two-storeys, arranged around narrow alleyways and a series of small squares. The advanced architecture for the period combined with this being the oldest settlement in the area discovered to date make this a significant finding from an archaeological perspective. Wandering around the often deserted site leaves one with a sense of awe at the sheer age of the place and the nature of the excavation makes it easy to imagine early dwellers going about their daily lives almost five thousand years ago. Those wishing to visit will find it in the flat area behind the port in the north west of the island, but check first as opening times can be erratic. The archaeological museum in the Town Hall in the village houses a collection of bronze age artefacts found at the Skarkos site and provides an interesting overview of the history of Ios.
A further archaeological site is Paleokastro on the eastern side of the island. A 15 minute walk uphill from the beach of Psathi lies the ruins of a 10th century Byzantine castle. Much of the castle has now slipped into the sea but the site still provides an interesting insight into the island’s history, when it would have been used to defend Ios against intruders and invaders such as pirates.
Ancient Greek poet Homer, writer of the Iliad and the Odyssey and who’s life dates back to the 8th century BC, is believed to be buried in Ios. Remains of his tomb can be found at the very north of the island, past the village of Vouni and although much of the site has been rebuilt, this is well worth a visit if only to pay homage to one of history’s literary greats.
Several thousand years prior to the village being the vibrant centre of bars and restaurants that it is today, there was an ancient castle and town at that exact spot. The outer wall of this was constructed out of huge pieces of stone, parts of which are still standing today and are surprisingly well preserved. These can be found on the north-western side of the village. Even if you never go and see them, it is quite humbling to think of the many thousands of Greek ancestors that have walked the alleyways of Ios before you.
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*Credit and thanks to Malcolm Kinnear for some of the photos used on this page.