Is Ios still a party island?

Ios has a nightlife scene centred on Chora village, but it's not the wall-to-wall party island it was in the 1980s and 1990s. The island has diversified - Mylopotas is a genuinely excellent beach, Chora is a beautiful Cycladic village by day, and the hiking to Homer's tomb is proper countryside walking. Young travellers still make up a large share of summer visitors, but the island has quieter pockets.

How do I get to Ios from Athens?

Ferry from Piraeus: conventional ferry approximately 7–8 hours (from approximately €35 deck class); high-speed catamaran approximately 4 hours (from approximately €65). Ios is on the main Athens–Cyclades ferry route so connections are frequent in summer. From Santorini: approximately 40 minutes by fast ferry (from approximately €20).

Where is Homer's tomb on Ios?

Homer's tomb (or what is traditionally believed to be his tomb) is on the north end of the island near Plakoto, about 30 minutes' walk or a short drive from the port of Gialos. The site is a simple stone burial mound with no entry fee and no facilities. Whether this is genuinely Homer's resting place is unverifiable - ancient sources mention Ios as his burial place, and that's essentially the full extent of the evidence.

What is the best beach on Ios?

Mylopotas is the main beach and one of the best in the Cyclades - a long arc of golden sand, clear water, and reliable infrastructure (sunbeds, water sports, beach bars, and restaurants along the shore). Manganari on the south coast is more remote and arguably more beautiful, reachable by boat or a long drive on a rough road.

The whitewashed hilltop village of Chora on Ios island, Greece, with windmills above

Ios Travel Guide: Beyond the Party Scene

Mylopotas beach and the best nightlife in the Cyclades, Chora's hilltop whitewashed lanes, Homer's tomb, and ferry connections to Santorini.

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Ios has been stereotyped as a party island since the 1970s, when budget travellers discovered its combination of cheap rooms, a concentrated nightlife strip, and one of the best beaches in the Cyclades. That reputation has both helped and hampered the island - it brings a specific type of visitor but has kept Ios off the itineraries of travellers who might otherwise find it genuinely appealing.

The reality is more varied. Chora, the hilltop village above the port, is one of the most architecturally intact Cycladic towns in the islands - whitewashed cubic houses, a cluster of windmills on the ridge, and narrow streets that become a maze after dark. Mylopotas beach is 800 metres of excellent golden sand. Homer’s tomb is in the hills to the north. The island has enough to justify a visit entirely independent of its nightlife.

Chora

The main village sits on a ridge between the port (Gialos) and Mylopotas beach, reached by a 20-minute walk uphill from the port or a regular bus (approximately €1.80). The village is compact and predominantly pedestrianised - the main streets of the nightlife area (around Odysseas Elytis Square) are narrow lanes lined with bars and clubs that come alive after midnight.

During the day, Chora is a quieter Cycladic village. The windmills at the top of the ridge are a 5-minute walk from the village centre and give good views over both Gialos and Mylopotas. The Church of Panagia Gremiotissa above the village is the island’s most photographed building - a small white church on the clifftop with a bell tower.

Mylopotas Beach

The best reason to visit Ios that has nothing to do with nightlife. Mylopotas is an 800-metre arc of fine golden sand on the south side of the ridge, a 10-minute walk downhill from Chora or a 5-minute bus ride. The water is clear and the beach gently shelving - good for swimming. The beach has a full range of facilities: sunbeds (approximately €8–12 per pair), water sports (jet ski hire from approximately €50/30 minutes, paddleboard from approximately €15/hour), and a string of beach bars and restaurants along the shore.

The beach gets crowded in high summer, particularly in August when the ferries bring significant numbers of young European travellers. Early morning - before 9am - is the best time for a swim without crowds.

Manganari Beach

On the south coast, accessible by boat (daily summer service from Gialos, approximately €12–15 return) or by a rough road of about 12km. A wider, more remote beach than Mylopotas with cleaner water and fewer facilities. Worth the effort if you have time and want a quieter swimming day.

Homer’s Tomb

At the northern end of the island near the cape of Plakoto, a stone burial mound known as Homer’s tomb is the island’s historical claim to fame. Ancient sources - including Aristotle - record that Homer died on Ios on his way from Samos to Athens. The site itself is simple: a low mound with an informational sign and a view over the north coast. There’s no entry fee and no visitor facilities.

The walk from the port takes approximately 1 hour along a coastal path; alternatively, drive or take a taxi to the north of the island (approximately €15) and walk the final 15 minutes to the site. Whether this is genuinely Homer’s resting place, nobody knows - but the island has been making the claim since antiquity, which is at least consistent.

Getting to Ios

Ferry from Piraeus: Conventional (Blue Star Ferries) approximately 7–8 hours, from approximately €35 deck class; high-speed (Seajets) approximately 4 hours, from approximately €65. Ios is on the main Piraeus–Cyclades route with daily connections in summer.

From Santorini: Approximately 40 minutes by fast ferry (Seajets or Hellenic Seaways), from approximately €20. This makes Ios a natural addition to a Cyclades island-hopping route.

From Mykonos: Approximately 2 hours by fast ferry, from approximately €40.

The port at Gialos has a reliable bus connection to Chora and Mylopotas (every 15–20 minutes in summer, approximately €1.80).

Where to Stay in Ios

Chora (the main village) sits on a hill between the port and Mylopotas Beach, and is where most accommodation, bars, and restaurants are concentrated. Mylopotas Beach has its own cluster of beach hotels and beach clubs. Gialos (the port) has a few practical options for late arrivals, but Chora is the better base for the island’s social scene.

Budget (from approximately €30–90/night)

Far Out Beach Club at Mylopotas is the island’s most famous budget option: a beachside complex with a hostel section (dorm beds), private rooms, camping, and multiple pools, all on the beach. It is the social hub for backpackers and younger travellers on Ios. Dorm beds from approximately €30/night, private rooms from approximately €70/night as of 2026.

Ios Palace Hotel has a budget-friendly annex section with simple rooms within reach of Chora’s nightlife. The main hotel also offers mid-range rooms; the simpler annex rooms are the entry-level option. From approximately €80/night as of 2026.

Guesthouses and studios in Chora are available from various owners in the village. The best combine a quieter hillside position with easy walking distance to the bars and the beach. From approximately €70/night as of 2026.

Mid-range (from approximately €120–180/night)

Ios Palace Hotel (main building) sits between Chora and Mylopotas with a pool, panoramic views, and well-equipped rooms. It is one of the most complete mid-range options on the island, combining beach access with a comfortable base. From approximately €140/night as of 2026.

Liostasi Hotel in Chora is a boutique mid-range property with whitewashed Cycladic rooms and a pool with views toward the sea. It is quieter than the main nightlife streets but within easy walking distance. From approximately €160/night as of 2026.

Calilo Hotel at Mylopotas is a mid-range beach hotel with direct beach access, a pool, and well-appointed rooms. It suits visitors whose priority is the beach over the nightlife. From approximately €150/night as of 2026.

Luxury (from approximately €280/night)

Ios Dome Hotel on the Chora hilltop offers suites with private plunge pools and panoramic views across the island. The elevated position keeps it separate from the nightlife noise while remaining walkable into the village. From approximately €300/night as of 2026.

Thalassa Boutique Hotel near Mylopotas offers private-pool suites with direct sea views and an intimate atmosphere that contrasts with the island’s reputation for nightlife. From approximately €280/night as of 2026.

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Where to Eat

Beyond the nightlife strip, Chora has reliable tavernas and creative Greek restaurants running approximately €20–45 per person; beachside restaurants at Mylopotas offer fresh seafood with sand-level views for approximately €25–35. Full picks are in our Ios restaurants guide.

Best Time to Visit

May, June, and September are the best months for Ios if you want good weather without peak-season crowds. The island really comes alive in July and August - if nightlife is part of your plan, that’s when the bars are at their most active. If you’re coming primarily for beaches and walking, early June is excellent: warm water, full summer infrastructure, and a more manageable number of visitors. The island is largely closed from October to April.

Prices listed are approximate as of 2026.

For detailed guides, see: things to do in Ios, best beaches in Ios, restaurants in Ios, and our Mykonos vs Ios comparison if you’re weighing the two party islands.

Book island-hopping routes, Cyclades boat tours, and Ios experiences with GetYourGuide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ios still a party island?: Ios has a nightlife scene centred on Chora village, but it's not the wall-to-wall party island it was in the 1980s and 1990s. The island has diversified - Mylopotas is a genuinely excellent beach, Chora is a beautiful Cycladic village by day, and the hiking to Homer's tomb is proper countryside walking. Young travellers still make up a large share of summer visitors, but the island has quieter pockets.
How do I get to Ios from Athens?: Ferry from Piraeus: conventional ferry approximately 7–8 hours (from approximately €35 deck class); high-speed catamaran approximately 4 hours (from approximately €65). Ios is on the main Athens–Cyclades ferry route so connections are frequent in summer. From Santorini: approximately 40 minutes by fast ferry (from approximately €20).
Where is Homer's tomb on Ios?: Homer's tomb (or what is traditionally believed to be his tomb) is on the north end of the island near Plakoto, about 30 minutes' walk or a short drive from the port of Gialos. The site is a simple stone burial mound with no entry fee and no facilities. Whether this is genuinely Homer's resting place is unverifiable - ancient sources mention Ios as his burial place, and that's essentially the full extent of the evidence.
What is the best beach on Ios?: Mylopotas is the main beach and one of the best in the Cyclades - a long arc of golden sand, clear water, and reliable infrastructure (sunbeds, water sports, beach bars, and restaurants along the shore). Manganari on the south coast is more remote and arguably more beautiful, reachable by boat or a long drive on a rough road.

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