Chios

Greek: Χίος | Pronounced: `çios
  • Chios
  • Chios
  • Chios
  • Chios
  • Chios

Overview of Chios

Chios bets on the details that make a difference and wins the game. It is one of the less touristic Greek islands and also one of the most unspoiled. Sophisticated Chios remains classy and traditional, offering peaceful vacations to savvy travelers. This large island of the Eastern Aegean boasts of a wealthy shipping tradition, a turbulent history (including the massacre of 1822 during the Greek Revolution) and a unique identity comprised by many things.

First of all, the island’s worldwide trademark mastic, produced exclusively at the south part of Chios: the famous mastic villages/Mastichochoria. Then, it’s the craggy mountains and citrus groves, the medieval, byzantine and ottoman remnants, the customs and the sightseeing; the mansions and villages, the gentle people and the beautiful beaches. Chios Town, the capital and main port, is both modern and old, with its busy harbor, Genovese castle, the district of Aplotaria at the center of the market, the area of stone windmills (Mylarakia), the University of the Aegean, the museums, ottoman relics, etc. Close to the capital, the aristocratic village of Kambos is situated at the island’s most fertile valley. It is a protected historic site where citrus orchards blend with exceptional Genovese mansions, gardens, cisterns, churches and so on.

Moving on to Volissos, the largest settlement in northwestern Chios, you see a typically traditional village (with a byzantine castle, medieval ruins, water mills, churches, stone houses), accompanied by its seaport, Limnia, as well as many nearby beaches. Chios has more than 60 villages, among which many are homes of captains and ship owners (Vrondados, Langada, Kardamyla, just to name a few), while others –inland and coastal- are popular touristic resorts or tranquil hideaways. Of course, the famed medieval Mastichochoria stand out as one of the best attractions in the Greek islands. A fortified complex of 24 villages (Mesta, Pirgi, Olympi, Armolia, Kalamoti, Vessa, etc.) that embraces the essence of Chios: a blessed Greek island full of scents, where every corner holds a delightful surprise.

 

Beaches Food Things to see & do

Lithi

: This is west side’s most beloved sandy cove with shallow waters, ideal to relax and enjoy a wonderful sunset. The tavernas of the homonymous village where it’s located, offer delicious fresh fish.
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Mavra Volia

: A unique beach, rare to be found among the Greek islands, with large black pebbles of volcanic origin and crystal cold blue waters. It is not organized, but very popular, located close to the harbor of Emborios, where you can find all sorts of amenities. The neighboring, smaller beach of Foki is similar in looks.
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Elinda

: A beautiful bay with white sand, aquamarine waters and a peaceful atmosphere, near the village of Avgonima. Plus, it’s wind-protected.
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Agia Fotia (Agia Fotini)

: Popular and organized, this pebbly beach is among the most beautiful on Chios. It is situated near the town (following the beaches of Karfas, Agia Ermioni and Megas Limnionas) in the area of Agia Fotini, which offers many amenities.
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Agia Markella

: Long, sandy and pebbly beach with deep icy waters, located close to the Monastery of Agia Markella, the island’s patron saint. Nearby you can also swim in Agiasmata, a coastal village famous for its hot springs.
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Komi

: Located at the popular touristic resort of the same name, this beach is quite cosmopolitan and crowded. It has crystalline waters, fine sand and many facilities.
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Roussiko

: Thymiana, Greek cuisine.
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Hotzas

: Chios town, Greek cuisine.
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Taverna-Estiatorio”Galera”

: Lithi, Greek cuisine.
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To Apomero

: Kambos, Greek cuisine.
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To Kechirbari

: Chios Town, Greek cuisine.
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Chios town sightseeing

: The island’s capital hosts a number of interesting museums, such as the Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Museum (a former mosque), Maritime Museum and the Argenti Museum (Philip Argenti’s collection of Chios’ folklore treasures). The Argenti Museum is housed in the impressive Koraes Library, one of the oldest, largest and most prominent in Greece, named after the great native Greek scholar. Last but not least, the Castle of Chios’ town is a top attraction. You enter at the main gate of Porta Maggiore and on the inside you can see the old city with byzantine churches, ottoman baths and mosques, the Ioustiniani Museum (former palace and prison), the tower of Koula (a series of vigles, aka watchtowers), etc.
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Mastic villages’ top 3 – Pyrgi, Mesta, Olympi

: Pyrgi is the largest of the Mastichochoria, famous for its “xysta”, a special wall engraving technique to decorate house facades with impressive geometric patterns in black & white. Mesta is the best preserved mastic village, also displaying their typical defensive architecture (it features castle towers, stone houses built next to one another, a maze of narrow alleys, churches). Olympi resembles as well an impenetrable fortress. Nearby you can also visit the cave of Sykia, with fascinating formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
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Boat excursions to the neighboring islands of Inouses and Psara

: Inouses (1 hour from Chios), known as the ship owners’ island, is a complex of nine tiny islands and islets. Only one of them is inhabited and offers only the basic amenities, beautiful beaches and a serene atmosphere. Psara (3 hours form Chios) is an historic, tranquil and unspoiled Greek island. It is famous for its significant contribution to the Greek Revolution (it’s also the birthplace of Konstantinos Kanaris, hero of the War of Independence).
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Anavatos

: An atmospheric, historic medieval village often cited as “the Mystras of the Aegean”. Sitting on a hilltop, it is a protected, well-preserved settlement with a fortress, cobbled streets and stone houses, the church of Taxiarchis and other sights. It was abandoned since the massacre of 1822 and now only a few people live there. Plus tip: On your way back from Anavatos, stop to see the sunset at the nearby small medieval village of Avgonyma.
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Nea Moni

: Among the most important monuments of its kind in the Greek islands, this 11th c Byzantine monastery is a UNESCO Word Heritage Site of great historic, architectural and religious value, famous for its marvellous mosaics. It survived both the massacre of 1822 and the devastating 1881 earthquake.
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Spending time in Chios

: You can practice water sports, hiking, diving, sailing, cycling and also try eco-tourism at the famous mastichochoria, in order to experience firsthand the island’s culture.
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Local & delicious

: The worldwide famous Chios’ mastic (CDO-controlled designation of origin) and all kinds of products based on it are your number one choice. You can also try citrus, tangerines, mastelo cheese, syrup sweets, ouzo, liqueurs, etc.
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Easter Rocket War in Vrondados village

: The island’s most famed and spectacular custom takes place on Holy Saturday night, when two “rival” parishes shoot thousands of rockets against each another, setting the night sky on fire. Note also that close to the coastal Vrondados, you can visit the monument of Daskalopetra (also a beach), which is believed to be the place where Homer taught his poems.
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Map of Chios

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