Tour of Chios island
Chios lies near the Turkish coast.
It is a large and very attractive island with many natural beauties, lush vegetation, fine beaches with clear waters and medieval villages.
The tourist infrastructure of the island is excellent.
You will find numerous hotel units, apartments and rooms to let, restaurants and taverns where you can taste local recipes.
Chios offers a lively nightlife: there are many bars and night clubs in the capital and the most tourist resorts.
CHIOS TOWN
The capital and harbor of the island, also called CHIOS, has several old buildings that attest to its intellectual and commercial life.
It lies in almost the middle of the east coast, opposite the shore of ancient Ionia.
The castle at the north end of the capital played an important role in its medieval and early modern history.
The original structure is Byzantine (10th c.) through there were many additions and repairs in later years, which have produced its present form.
Its fortifications enclose the old quarter, containing houses with latticed windows and balconies, bath-houses, the church of Saint George, and remains of the palace of the Ioustiniani princes.
Places worth visiting in the town are the church of Agios Isidoros with 7th c. mosaics, the Cathedral (19th c.), the Koraes library with the valuable manuscripts and historical documents, the Art Gallery and the mills in Tambakia area, where there are tanneries.
There is an Archaeological Museum housing important finds from the excavations on the island, and a Byzantine Museum with some interesting reliefs.
Also, the Argentis Ethnological and Folklore Museum, which has a collection of local costumes, embroideries, textiles, vessels, plates, etc., and the Ioustiniani exhibition building (in the Castle), with mosaics, wood-carvings and icons.
Tour of Chios island
On the capital the tourist infrastructure is excellent.
There are also places for entertainment, restaurants, modern coffee houses and various shops.
The verdant superb of KAMPOS, in the south part of the town, contains the summer homes of the old families of the island, influenced by Genoese architecture.
VRONTADOS – KARDAMYLA
VRONTADOS, 5 kilometers north of the capital, is a beautiful village set amongst enchanting gardens, which has an important museum.
The windmills of the village, the churches of Agios Stefanos, Panagia Erithiani and Agios Markos are worth to visit.
You will find rooms to let, taverns, coffee shops and bars.
Outside this village, on a hill, is the so-called Daskalopetra (or Homer’s rock), where tradition has it that Homer taught.
KARDAMYLA, a beautiful village to the north of the town, is built on the site of ancient Kardamyla.
Sights worth seeing in this area include churches with Byzantine wall-paintings at Pano Kardamyla, and the remains of the medieval settlement at Spilia.
The wetlands at Limnos and Parpanda are also of interest.
On the north coast of the island, 61 kilometers from the town, is the village AGIASMATA, which has therapeutic springs containing iron and sulphur.
To the west is the mountainous village of AGIO GALA (62 kilometers north-west of the capital).
Stone-age remains were found in the cave at this village, in which there are the two small Byzantine churches of Panagia and Agia Anna.
Another church of interest is Agios Thalelaios, which has Byzantine wall-paintings and the oldest wood-carved icon on the island.
VOLISSOS
The head-village of VOLISSOS, built on the slopes of a hill with a Byzantine castle on the summit, has narrow streets and traditional architecture.
Tradition has it that is the birthplace of the poet Homer.
Small boats to Psara island depart from its harbor, Limnia (distance 17 nautical miles).
There are some notable monasteries and churches in this region.
KARYES
KARYES lies 6 kilometers north-west of the capital, towards the interior of the island.
It is an inland village with lush vegetation and abundant waters, built around the sides of a hill with a superb view.
An enchanting journey of 11 kilometers further to the north-west brings us to Nea Moni, one of the most important Byzantine monuments in Greece.
Built in the 11th c. by the emperor Constantine Monomachos, it is a nunnery and was the wealthiest monastery in the Aegean until the 19th c.
It has mosaics of exceptionally fine art and superb wall-paintings executed by artists from Constantinople.
Other beautiful villages include the fortress-village of ANAVATOS, 16 kilometers north- west of nea Moni and AVGONYMA.
Tour of Chios island
Proceeding southwards from Chios town, parallel with the east coast of the island, we come to some very fine villages and beaches.
Just beyond Kampos is the monastery of Frangovouni, while the inland village of THYMIANA, built on the slopes of a low hill, 8 kilometers south of the town, is famous for its quarries of the local stone, which has used in the construction of many old mansions and churches on the island.
At Thymiana, there is a traditional carnival, including a re-enactment of the expulsion of the pirates.
KARFAS
On the coast is the settlement of KARFAS.
Sights worth seeing in this area are the churches of Agios Efstratios and the Panagia Krinis at the inland village of Vavili (12th – 13th c.), the Byzantine castle of Agelastos and the ruins of several houses.
On Karfas there are hotel units, apartments and rooms to let, taverns, coffee shops and many bars and clubs.
Further south we come to some fine sea-side villages, churches and monasteries: Agia Ermioni, Agios Minas, the Plakidiotissa monastery, Megas Limnionas, Agia Fotini beach, Agia Matrona, Mesa and Exo Didyma, Agios Emilianos, Katarraktis, the monastery of Taxiarches with its carved icon, and Nenita, a picturesque mastic-producing village and one of the oldest in this area.
To the west is KALAMOTI (28 kilometers south-west of the town), a medieval head-village that lies in the center of the mastic-producing villages and has cobbled alleys and characteristic architecture. The remains of a medieval fortification are preserved here.
ARMOLIA
A short distance away is ARMOLIA, with its old stone houses and pottery-making tradition. In the same area can be seen the church of the Panagia Agrelopou, which has important 14th wall-paintings.
On the coast, in the bay of Kalamoti, are the settlements of GRIDIA, AGIOS IOANNIS, KOMI, EMPORIOS, DOTIA and MASTICHA at the easternmost point of the island.
There are the remains of a prehistoric settlement at Emporios and a Genoese tower survives at Dotia.
PYRGI – MESTA
PYRGI, 25 kilometers south-west of Chios town, is a traditional village with unusual houses, which makes use of geometric motifs incised by specialist craftsmen.
The village has a strongly medieval character, with narrow streets leading to the main square, dense buildings, a fort and the ruins of a medieval square tower.
the balconies, with their flower-pots and the pebble courtyards, make a pretty picture. In the village you will find rooms to let, cafes and taverns.
MESTA, 11 kilometers to the north-west, in the area called Mastic villages, is a well-preserved medieval village in which several houses have been restored by the Greek Tourist Organization and are used as hostels.
The corner towers of the fortifications are preserved, along with the gates, the main square, the narrow, vaulted streets, and many 14th and 15th c. houses clustering closely together.
The churches of Megalos Taxiarches – the largest church on the island- and Palios Taxiarches are worth visiting.
The inhabitants of the village are still preserving their traditional customs and traditions. In Mesta there are some traditional apartments to let, taverns and cafes.
At FANA, 12 kilometers to the south-east the remains are preserved of the temple of Apollo Fanaios, while the main tower survives at the medieval village of Olympi, between Mesta and Pyrgi.
The village was established in the 13th century and has a remarkable architecture.
Some of the old houses of the village have been restored and turned into guest houses.
Tour of Chios island
BEACHES
There are some fine beaches in this area: Karinta, Agia Dynami, Merikounda, Limenas (Pasa Limani), Agia Irini with the small island of Agios Stefanos.
Agia Irini is a well sheltered bay with small white pebbles and blue-green crystal waters.
Close to the beach is built the chapel of Agia Irini.
Merikounda is near Mesta village. It is a beautiful beach with thick sand, small pebbles and crystal clear waters.
Chios offers a huge of fine beaches.
In the north part of the island you can find the beautiful beaches of Nagos, Giossonas and Volissos.
The Giossonas beach is located about 6 km. from Kardamyla.
It is a picturesque seashore with what seems to be an endless length of pebbled beach that spreads out to become one with the soft waves of the Aegean sea.
Limnia beach is near Volissos. In the area you will find apartments and rooms to let, traditional taverns offering fresh fish, cafes and bars.
Magemena is located near Volissos, between Managros and Limnia beach. It is an organized beach with sand and crystal waters and a beach bar. In the area you will find rooms to let.
Managros is a fine beach with thick sand and crystal clear waters ideal for swimming. It is one of the biggest beaches on the island, about 1,5 kilometers.
Limnos is located at the northwest part of the island near Volissos. In the area there are taverns.
In the central part of Chios there is the historical beach of Daskalopetra and the familiar bay Lithi.
Daskalopetra is one of the loveliest beaches on the island with its small pebbles and crystal clear waters. In the area you will find hotels, studios and apartments to let, taverns, restaurants and cafes.
Lithi beach is located about 1 km. from the village of the same name. It is a bay with fine sand ideal for beach games and swimming. In the area you will find studios and rooms to let, taverns and restaurants.
Tour of Chios island
On the west side, little beaches away from the road dominate the coast.
The beach of Elinda is the most popular beach on this area and it has a road connection.
It has deep crystal waters, soft sand and it is protected from the winds.
Bella Vista is the nearest beach from the capital. It is located just 1 km. south of the city’s center. It has thick sand and small pebbles.
The beach is ideal for those who live in town and go to the beach on foot.
The beach of Kontari is situated 3 km. from the capital, near the airport. It is a beach with thick sand, small pebbles and crystal clear waters.
Tagma beach is located 4 km. north of the capital. It is a lovely beach with small pebbles and crystal clear waters.
Afanis Nautis is a beautiful beach located 6 km. north of Chios town. It has small pebbles and clear waters.
Lo is located 7 km. north of Chios town. It is a magic organized beach in a small bay, with thick sand and crystal waters.
There, you can try all kinds of water sport that you like. In the area you will find rooms and apartments for rent, taverns and cafes.
Glari beach is situated 9 km. north of the capital. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and fully organized beaches on the island with clear waters. There is also a beach-bar.
Karfas is situated 7 km. south from the capital. It is one of the most famous and cosmopolitan beaches on Chios island with fine sand suitable for beach games.
Being a tourist center, the area has many hotels, rooms and apartments for rent, restaurants, taverns, cafes and bars.
Tour of Chios island
In the south part of the island you can find the beach of Megas Limnionas and further from it, Agia Fotia and Agios Emilianos a pebbled beach with crystal waters.
The black pebbled beach of Mavra Volia is one the jewels of the coast of Chios.
Agia Fotia is one of the loveliest beaches on Chios, with small pebbles and crystal clear waters. In the area you will find many hotels, apartments and rooms to let of all categories, restaurants, taverns offering fresh seafood and cafes.
Megas Limnionas is located near to Thymiana village and it is one of the most famous beaches on Chios, with sand, small pebbles and clear waters.
Being a touristic center, Megas Limnionas disposes many hotels, rooms and apartments to let of all categories, taverns, restaurants, cafes and bars.
Avlonia is located at the South part of the island, near Mesta village. It is a fine beach with thick sand and small pebbles.
CHIOS TRADITION – EVENTS
Shrove Monday is celebrated at Mesta with a revival of the “trial of the Aga” and a folk festival.
The festivals in the villages are part of the traditional life of the island. The festival in Thymiana is celebrated in a special way.
The monastery of Agia Markela, attracts many people, on July 22nd, for the festivities that take place there. On 15th August there is a festival in Pyrgi with music and local dances.
CHIOS LOCAL PRODUCTS
One of the most famous and important products of the island is mastic.
It is world-widely renowned for its aroma and taste.
Mastic is cultivated in Mastichochoria and about 20 tons are exported to other countries.
Other products of Chios are the oil, the wine and citrus.
Before leaving the island, don’t forget to buy: the fragrant mastic, traditional Greek sweets, ouzo and rose water from the local production.
NEARBY ISLANDS
The small island of INOUSSA, between Chios and the Turkish coast, is the largest island and the only one inhabited of the group known as the INOUSSES.
There is another group of small islands to the north of Chios, of which PSARA with an area of 43 square kilometers is the only inhabited.
