In the vast blue of the Aegean Sea, one of the most beautiful islands of Greece, Ios, emerges. Although it is a small island, it is a special destination, with its main characteristics being the clear seas with crystal waters, the endless golden sandy beaches and the most picturesque coves.
The visitor who wants to escape from the usual vacation and is looking for something different, in Ios will find this opportunity, as it is offered for various alternative forms of tourism, depending on your interests and your preferences.
Ios is an ideal place for sightseeing tourism, due to the mountainous morphology of its terrain. Countless shepherds' paths in the mountains of the island, enable the visitor to walk in places of amazing wild beauty and enjoy the view towards the Aegean and the surrounding islands.
TRAIL: AGIA IRINI - VALMA BEACH
Distance: 0.8 kilometers
Walking time: 15 minutes
TRAIL: AGIA THEODOTI - PALIOKASTRO
Distance: 2.3 kilometers
Time: 90 minutes
TRAIL: AGIA THEODOTI - CHORA
Trail distance: 6.5 kilometers
Estimated hiking time: 4 hours
TRAIL : MYLOPOTA - KLIMA - PIKRI NERO - MAGANARI
We must point out that the route to Klima bay is probably the best in Ios. From there, the path to Magganari is particularly difficult.
TRAIL: COUNTRY - PROFITIS ELIAS
Distance: 2.9 kilometers
Time: 75 minutes
TRAIL: CHORA - PYRGOS - PSATHI
Path distance: 10 kilometers
Estimated hiking time: 5 hours
TRAIL: CHORA - TOMB OF OMIR
Total distance: 9 kilometers
Estimated hiking time: 4 hours
If you are interested in getting to know the traditional ways of farming, animal husbandry, beekeeping, etc. you can, after consultation with the local breeders, who are always willing, visit them and watch the whole production process (grazing - milking - cheesemaking - production of cheese products ). The same can also be done with the fishermen and beekeepers of the island. (Information: Municipality of Ieton, tel. 2286 - 91505)
If you love sailing, in Ios you will have the opportunity, on the one hand, to sail into the safest natural harbor of the Cyclades (that's why it is also called Little Malta) and on the other hand, the opportunity to discover dozens of wonderful bays and sandy beaches while sailing around the island. Also on the beaches of Mylopotas, Limanio and Magganari, you can engage in organized water sports (canoeing, bicycles, skiing, jet-skiing, banana boating, diving, surfing, etc.).
If you love sports, you can engage in your vacation at the island's sports facilities. More specifically, you can engage in: football at the Campos stadium, basketball and volleyball at the Chora stadium and at the courts of the hotels and Campings, for beach volleyball and various other water sports, the beaches of Mylopota and Limaniou are ideal. Finally, if you are fans of tennis, you can play a few games in some of the hotels that have a court, on the beaches of Mylopota, and Limaniou.
Ios is adorned with 365 churches, monasteries and chapels that you can, if you are interested, admire them one by one. Just note that in some of them, you will have to find the church youth who has the keys to open it for you. You can also experience one of the traditional festivals of the island up close. The most famous ones take place on June 24 at the Monastery of Pyrgos , on August 15, Panagia Gremiotissa in Chora, on August 29, in St. Ioannis Kalamos and in Psathi and on September 8 in Ag. Theodoti and in Paliokastro.