Chora of Ios

The picturesque capital of Ios is built on a hill with a great sea view and is a typical representation of the architecture style of Cyclades. The small, white, boxy houses with the blue shutters are built with no gaps between, forming a labyrinth, while cars are not allowed in Chora. The freshly painted alleys, the countless cute shops, the little churches with the blue domes and the windmills bring a special charm to Chora. Naturally this is where the action is every night, with the fun, the music from the bars and the spontaneous parties going on until the morning.

Palaiokastro

This place with the amazing view and the special charm is actually the surrounding area of a byzantine fortress, whose walls can still be seen. It is there, 300 meters above the sea surface, that the church of Panagia Palaiokastritissa is built. The road ahead is uphill and not easy, but it is worth coming here for watching the amazing view and getting some incredible pictures.

Agia Theodoti

Ios has a total of 365 churches and Agia Theodoti is the oldest and one of the most beautiful. It was built during the 16th century on top of the ruins of an ancient temple of god Apollo, parts of which can still be seen, and you will find it at the edge of Chora, close to the so called Homer's Grave. Near by are the ruins of an ancient aqueduct which you can also visit.

Panagia Gremiotissa

As its Greek name suggests, this church has been built on top of an unaccessible rock, at the highest peak of Chora. The panoramic view around Ios is impressive and makes up for the tiresome climb, while there are also two pine trees by the church.

Archaeological Site of Skarkos

The Archaeological Site of Skarkos has been awarded with the Cultural Heritage award of the E.E. for the quality of its reformation, having stood out between 109 nominations of 29 countries. This is the best preserved settlement of the 3rd millennium B.c. and although only a part of the site has been dug, significant findings have surfaced, like the intact pots instead of plain fragments, as it is usually the case. It is situated on northwest Ios but may still not be open to the public.

Ios Archaeological Museum

This modern Archaeological Museum was founded on 1998 and is housed at the first floor of the town hall of Ios, the Amoiradakeio Mansion which is a preserved building. Inside the museum you will see a great collection with findings from the 3rd millennium B.C. (mainly from the Arcaeological Site of Skarkos), the 3rd millennium B.C. and the historical times. Some of the most remarkable exhibits are the inscriptions that describe the laws of the island and the two tomb-columns made by an artist of Paros. Telephone 22860 91246.

Homer's Grave

There are several places in Greece that claim the title of being Homer's birthplace and Ios is one of them. It is actually very likely that Homer lived (for a period) or died on Ios, as there are both historical witnesses and representations of the ancient poet on coins of ancient Ios of the 3rd and 4th century B.C. Locals claim that this monument is in fact the grave of Homer, while archaeologists support that this is in fact a Hellenistic tower. At Plakoto location, at the north of Ios in a place with panoramic view, is the debated monument. There is a walking path leading here that starts from the main road.

Odysseas Elytis Theatre

A marvelous theatre of 1000 spots that was built On Ios on 1997 according to the ancient Greek architecture style. The theatre is built with stone and marble, and it is located in Tsoukalaria area with beautiful view to the sea, a bit further down from the windmills. Every summer the theatre hosts dozens of cultural activities, like concerts, theatrical plays, etc.

Ios Windmills

At the north part of Chora there are 14 windmills of Ios, of which only two have been restored and can thus be visited. It is worth visiting to shoot some pictures of the windmills with sea as a background in one of the most picturesque places of the island.