Many consider Mykonos because the quintessential Greek island getaway:
It’s standard for a purpose, because it ticks all of the bins for what makes a summer season vacation spot nice, from the paradisaical seashores to the picture-perfect villages to the buzzing social scene—if you happen to’re the sort to wait for some late-night bar crawling, you may definitely discover your crowd right here.
Nevertheless, the unchecked ranges of tourism can be a tad extreme, and if you happen to’ve been hoping for a heat welcome from locals, with real smiles and pouring candy ouzo, you may be shocked to seek out that a lot of them have the truth is been pushed out of the principle cities.
These have now been taken over by massive builders and seasonal residents, to the purpose Mykonos hardly looks like your typical Aegean escape anymore.
Fortunately, there are 226 other islands in Greece to select from, and if you happen to’re hoping for a Mykonos dupe that is comparatively nice for nightlife and with its fair proportion of cultural attraction, you need to hit a rapidly-rising Ios as an alternative earlier than it, too, will get spoiled by the lots:
May Ios Be The Subsequent Mykonos?
One in all Greece’s destination highlights for the earlier 12 months, Aegean island of Ios appears set to maintain rising in recognition for 2025.
Regardless of its small dimension, at roughly 11 miles lengthy and 10 miles vast, and small everlasting inhabitants of round 2,300 individuals, it’s quickly establishing itself as one of many trendiest islands within the area after Mykonos and Santorini.
For starters, it has a Chora, or Most important City, with the standard Cycladic blanche homes and bougainvillea-framed streets.
Apart from having its each nook be Instagram-ready, Chora is dwelling to a lot of cultural landmarks, together with the cathedral, with its chalk-like exterior and blue dome, the open-air Odysseus Elytis Theater, internet hosting live shows in summer season, and a row of 12 windmills perched on a hilltop.
If we could add, they’re the right spot for catching these blood-orange Aegean sunsets.
The factor vacationers appear to like essentially the most about Ios, nevertheless, is how welcome they really feel as vacationers right here:
Welcoming Locals & Hearty Greek Meals
There aren’t any ‘go dwelling’ placards being brandished, no dismissive appears from indignant locals, and whether or not you are ordering meals at a restaurant or just looking souvenirs at an area market, it is good-old Aegean hospitality you may get.
The middle of city can be peppered with family-run eateries, the place they’re nonetheless serving yaya‘s do-it-yourself pastitsio and freshly-caught octopus soaked in homegrown olive oil.
You have not actually engaged in a cultural immersion in Greece till you are mendacity again in your alfresco cushioned seat, discreetly loosening your belt just a little to higher digest all that scrumptious tzatziki and the slow-cooked lamb, or how they name it right here, kleftiko.
For the most effective conventional meals in Ios, be sure to try Drakos Taverna, by Mylopotas Seaside, or the favored Almyra By The Sea—the latter even has a lot of vegan choices, a uncommon discover in any small, staunchly-Greek island.
Moreover, we love Pathos for its seafood and progressive tackle sushi, however it will probably get busy at sure hours: it’s a seashore membership with a wonderful aqua-colored pool going through the Aegean, in any case, and the thumping DJ music and inexpensive drinks have a tendency to attract the younger beach-going sort.
How Does Ios Evaluate To Mykonos On The Nightlife Entrance?
Talking of clubbing, Ios is a mini Mykonos within the making, with out the surprising costs, and way more laid-back.
It had had a repute as a celebration vacation spot since not less than the 80s when the primary hippies and backpackers made landfall right here, however as you may quickly discover when you hit a bar or two, it has none of Mykonos’ stuck-up angle.
In different phrases, you will not discover Lindsay Lohans and Paris Hiltons enjoying units right here all summer season and dragging together with them the same old hordes of friendship bracelet-wearing, braided-haired, high-waist-skirt-wearing, kumbaya Beverly Hills girlies.
If something, the smaller venues round Chora really feel a touch more authentic, from the chilled-out cocktail bars, with Click on and Atlas, to call a pair, to the full-fledged techno golf equipment, just like the aforementioned Pathos or Disco 69.
Stunning Seashores For Miles
As for the seashores, the Ios coast is a vacationer attraction in its personal proper.
For the Ios-classic partying on a golden-sand strip, head out to Mylopotas, the place a plethora of taverns and vibrant bars await.
In the event you’re eager on enjoyable just a little, Manganari is about on a peaceable bay laden with effective, ivory-white sands, and the seas are of the turquoise-most blue.
For one thing within the center, not too quiet, however not as well-frequented as Mylopotas, Agia Theodoti Seaside to the northeast has smooth sands, shallow teal waters, and it even has a solitary tavern if you happen to’re ever in want of refreshments.
Searching for that secretive nudist spot?
It’s best to know each Greek island has them, and on Ios, Kolitsani Seaside is your greatest guess at baring all of it and changing into one with the plush Mediterranean nature with out the judgmental gaze of passerby.
How To Get To Ios This Season
Ios just isn’t precisely essentially the most accessible of Greek islands, because it doesn’t have its personal airport.
Inconveniences apart, that is a part of the rationale why it feels much less impacted by mass tourism than Mykonos, Santorini, and different world-famous islands.
It does not imply you may must embark on a Homeric journey to get there, both.
Ios can simply be reached by boat, and the most effective ferry connections are discovered within the port of Athinios, in Santorini, with crossings taking roughly 35-45 minutes, and tickets costing as low cost as $33 when booked upfront.
Basically, Ios is a really inexpensive island to go to, with vacationers spending a median $85 per evening on accommodations, and round $20 on particular person meals every day, in accordance with Budget Your Trip.
This spring, the centrally-located Likno’s guesthouse, proper within the coronary heart of Chora, has total studio flats with sea views beginning at $63 per grownup, per evening.
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