Interactive Map of Ios Island - Search Touristic Sights. Hiking and Biking Routes

More to see in Ios Island

A tin of olives is one of the most popular Greek souvenirs. Tinned olives with or without different toppings can be found in every supermarket. If you want to buy fresh olives, you should visit the local market. They are sold in many variations here. Try them during your holiday and then buy the olives which you liked most. Olives are not expensive on Ios, so you can try all of them. A bottle of olive oil is a good gift for your mother or a friend. Greeks have been using this product for several thousand years. A bottle of olive oil is a necessary product at every Greek house. You can find it in plastic bottles, 3 or 5 litres jerrycans or gift packages in the shape of amphorae or famous Greek characters and gods. If you have bought olive oil in a tin package, it is better to pour it into a plastic bottle, otherwise, the taste of the product can be spoiled. The best one is cold-pressed Extra-Virgin Olive Oil with the low acidity level. Olives are also used in cosmetics production. Greeks love natural care products. Soap is the most popular product. It is quite cheap here and there is a variety of smells, from coniferous aroma to chocolate and citrus. Shampoos, lotions, creams and scrubs based on olive oil are also sold here. You should buy these products in pharmacies or specialized shops. However, it is cheaper on markets, but you can't be sure about product composition. Komboloi is a famous Greek accessory. It is a local variant of beads. It is twenty beads … Read further

Our guide to Ios Island

Best beaches

Psathi resort village is located in the eastern part of the island. Its beaches are known for crystal clear waters. This solitary coast is an excellent choice for fans of outdoor recreation and also for eco-tourists. Ayia Theodoti is probably the most unusual beach of Ios. This distant quiet beach is very popular among fans of water activities and excursions. That’s because of ancient Paleokastro fortress … Open

Shopping, streets and outlets

Komboloi is a famous Greek accessory. It is a local variant of beads. It is twenty beads strung on a solid thread. Komboloi is not a cult object, it is usually used for a game. The material of the item shows the social status of a person. Komboloi is made of different materials, even precious and semi-precious stones. You can also buy matopetra. This souvenir is well-known among superstitious people. It is … Open

Ios Island for children - what to visit

Fans of fairy tales about princesses, dragons and knights and young historians will be certainly interested in the fortress built during the reign of the Venetians on Ios. You can find it near the Paleokastro. The construction hasn’t preserved well, but you can distinguish the main parts of the fortification. If your child has read legendary «Don Quixote», he will be happy to see ancient windmills near the … Open

Travel guide to Ios Island

A large number of vacationers is the main disadvantage of popular beaches. Fans of secluded and idyllic places usually prefer to relax in small bays. Some of them are accessible only from the water. The area near Psathi is particularly rich in wonderful wild beaches. Ios Island is also suitable for fans of scuba diving. Mylopotas and Manganari beaches are considered the best destinations for diving. There are … Open

Traditions and mentality of Ios Island

Siesta plays a great role here. Try to plan your holiday, because almost all the cafes and shops are closed from 2 to 5 o’clock. Locals spend their free time sleeping or lying on the beach. Greeks love to gather around the table with friends and family, drink retsina and ouzo and discuss the day's events. There is a great number of taverns on the island. What's interesting, they are always all full of … Open

Cuisine and top restaurants

You can find horiatiki or village salad in every tavern. Locals never call it a Greek salad. It is usually made of olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, onion and cheese. The salad is not always seasoned with oil, but you can find a bottle of olive oil on the table and add it to your dish. Don’t pass by tzatziki, a local yoghurt salad with cucumbers and garlic. It is usually used as a sauce to pita or … Open

Greece - moving around the country

The busiest and most basic routes are air-conditioned. However, in remote regions, the bus service operates old vehicles. Buses from villages outside the resort areas run daily. The most remote settlements are serviced only 1-2 times a week. The cost of a bus ticket is about 4 euros per 100 kilometers. It is worth noting that most of the Greek cities are quite small, and they can be easily walked. Therefore, it makes sense to spend money on buses only for traveling between cities or for moving within such large cities as Athens, Patra, Thessaloniki or Kalamata. The railway is an alternative to buses. However, it is worth noting that the railroad doesn’t go through all regions of mainland Greece. Before Olympic Games, the country has repaired the roads and slightly expanded the route. Trains in Greece are represented by two classes. The difference between the first and second class that connect towns, is quite insufficient. Travelers don’t have to wait for the special comfort. … Open

Nature and parks of Greece

Samaria Gorge is the largest in Europe; its length is about 18 kilometers. It is located on the island of Crete that is one of the most picturesque islands in the country. There is the national park of the same name. The gorge was inhabited since ancient times. You can still find the ruins of the temples of Apollo and Artemis; in the 4th century BC, it housed the city of Tarra. The park has a rich flora and fauna. The forest is inhabited by a rare Kri-Kri goat, which can be found only in the mountains of Crete. Among the animals in the park, you can meet badgers, wild cat, marten, and various birds. … Open

Interactive map of Ios Island - search touristic spots and services