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Sightseeing in Chios

Chios town, also known as Chora, is the most populous town on the island, its administrative, commercial, spiritual and cultural centre as well as its largest port. The town was built by the Ionians a little before 1000 BC, in a crescent shape around the harbour and overlooking the Asia Minor coasts. You will be led to its magnificent medieval Castle from the square, via Kennedy St. Take a stroll to along its large waterfront, with its commercial activity, the noisy district of “Aplotaria”, which is the old as well as modern market of the town, and wander among the beautiful neoclassical buildings and in the cool Municipal Park with the palm, pine and eucalyptus trees. Here you will see the bronze statue of Konstantinos Kanaris, hero of the Greek Revolution of 1821 from Chios. Visit the Adamantios Korais Public Library, one of the oldest and largest libraries in Greece, with a wealth of manuscripts, books, old magazines and newspapers, relics and maps.

The Castle: The Castle, built by the Byzantines in the late 10th century, is located on the north side of Chios town. The form that we see today is the result of many additions and repairs, by the Genoese, Venetians and Ottomans. The inner section of the Castle is today inhabited normally. As you walk through the Castle district, you will encounter the Ottoman Graveyard, the Bayrakli Mosque, the church of Agios Georgios and the ruins of the Turkish baths. The renovated museum of the Giustiniani Palace (tel. +30 22710 22819) is open to visitors and entrance is free. The museum hosts exhibitions of Byzantine and post-Byzantine paintings of saints, icons and woodcarvings.

Kampos: One of the most beautiful parts of Chios, this plain area just 6 km south of the town was where the aristocratic Genoese and local families enjoyed their recreational activities. Take your time and become lost in the streets of Kampos, so you can admire the grand mansions and unique architecture of the 14th century, their large gardens, aromatic orchards and the dense network of cobbled footpaths, as though they came straight out of a story. It is well worth visiting some of the mansions that are open to visitors, such as the Argentiniko, the Mavrokordatiko and the Riziko.

In the Archaeological Museum of Chios you can see the permanent exhibition, which presents finds from the Early Bronze Age to late antiquity, with sculptures, reliefs, pottery, architecture, inscriptions and glass, gold and bronze items and jewellery.
Address: 10 Michalon St, tel.: +30 22710 44239

Chios Byzantine Museum is located in the central square of Chios town and is housed in an Ottoman mosque, with exhibits dating from the 5th to the 18th century. Chios town central square, tel.: +30 22710 81337

Vrontados is a coastal village located very close to Chora and is famed for its nautical tradition, picturesque little houses, olive trees, gardens and windmills. It is worth taking a look at the charming port of Daskalopetra, with its pebble beach, known as the “Fountain of the Pasha”, and the “Rock of Homer”, an ancient rock on the hill above the beach which, according to myth, was where Homer sat when he taught.

Volissos is the largest village in north Chios, 40 km northwest of Chios town and is believed to be the birthplace of Homer. At its summit stands a large castle with six towers. Picturesque Volissos, with its narrow lanes and stone mansions, is a popular tourist resort. Its most important sights include the Castle, the monastery of Agia Markella and its stunningly beautiful beaches, some of which are the finest on the island.

You must definitely include the famous medieval mastic villages of southern Chios in your itinerary. Extraordinary and untouched by time, they are typified by their special fortification-style architecture. Mesta is the best-preserved village, with picturesque alleyways and stone houses built tightly packed next to each other, forming a compact wall. You must also visit noble Vessa, with its arches and elegant lanes, Olympoi and Armolia, with its famous pottery workshops. Finally, at Pyrgi you can admire the famous xysta, the wonderful painted facades of the houses with the black-and-white engraved geometric motifs, which have given it the nickname of “the painted village”.

Anavatos (meaning, the place to which no one can ascend) is the silent stone city that hangs from a conical rock and is located at an altitude of 450 metres. This medieval village, which is known as the “Mystras of the Aegean”, is located in the centre of Chios and was abandoned after the massacre of 1822 and the catastrophic earthquake of 1881. Today it is a historical monument for Chios. Combine it with a trip to the medieval village of Avgonyma, and then take a dip in the turquoise waters of Elinda bay.

Things to do in Chios

Chios is an island that demands to be explored. If you love walking, then choose some of the walking routes around the island and, as you walk, visit the villages and beaches and discover along your path monasteries, churches and a wild nature.

Take a day trip to the islet of Oinousses, which is located just 2 miles from the northeast coasts of Chios. This little island is of exceptional beauty with crystal clear waters, a picturesque town built over the hillslopes and buildings that are a mixture of island and neoclassical architecture. The little boat departs daily from Chios town (carries vehicles too) while you can also go by sea taxi from Langada.

If you fancy some cycling, the area of Kampos is perfect for this and cycling is also the best way to explore the dense network of narrow lanes and to admire the mansions in this area.

There are two caves of exceptional natural beauty that can be visited on the island. These are the small but absolutely fascinating vertical cave of Olympoi and the triple complex of caves at Agio Gala, with the white stalactite liquid which gave the cave its name and the little medieval church of the Panagia Agiogalousaina inside.
Guided tours: May-September, Wednesday-Sunday: 11.00-19.00. Further information: +30 22710 44830-1

Take a day trip to historic Psara, located just 12 miles northwest of Chios, a virgin landscape that will enchant you. You can also get to Psara by boat from Chios town or with smaller sailing boat from Limnia, the port of Volissos.

The beaches of Chios

It is said that the island has over 90 documented beaches, with an astonishing range to offer, something that makes sense given its large size.

Most famous of all, the beach of Mavra Volia takes its name from the black volcanic pebbles with which it is covered.

Karfas is one of the few beaches with organised amenities on the island. It has fine golden sands and shallow warm waters. It is located just 5 km south of Chora and is the closest beach to Kampos. Here you can enjoy water sports and make use of the diving schools, while the region also has excellent tourist facilities.

At the beaches of Vlichada, Nagos and Giosonas, in the northeast of the island, you will find a harmonious combination of sea and rich vegetation.

The beach of Agia Fotia is one of the most popular on the island, with large pebbles and crystal-clear waters, located in an area with many tavernas and rented rooms. This beach has organised amenities, including a lifeguard, and you can enjoy water sports here. Nearby is the quiet, pebble beach of Agios Emilianos, 1.5 km southeast of Kallimasia. In the western part of the island you can swim in the beaches of Elinda, Tigani, Managros, Limnos and Agia Markella.

Shopping on Chios

At Aplotaria in the centre of Chios you will find many shops selling all kinds of goods and interesting souvenirs.

A trip to Chios cannot but be accompanied by the purchase of traditional products made of Chios mastic, direct from the source! You will find chewing gum, spoon sweets, personal care products and amygdalota (marzipan sweets).

At Mesta, buy some souma (a strong drink made from figs) and souvenirs made of clay.

Kallimasia is famous for its textiles and handmade embroideries, while in the village of Anavatos, you can buy herbal infusions and mountain honey.

In Chios you will find the ouzo of Chios that has been produced for four generations according to the same recipe. In the patisseries of the town try not to resist the traditional spoon sweets.

Food in Chios

A place that is fertile and blessed with a large range of wonderful products, Chios has a rich culinary tradition.

The island is famed for its seafood and fresh fish, but you should also try the avgokalamara (omelette filled with mince), atherinopita (smelt pie), volous pyrgousikous (the Chios version of yuvarlakia meat balls), hortokeftedes (vegetable balls), macaroni "herisia", stuffed courgette flowers and vine leaves, as well as koutsounades (the greens of the poppy plant) with octopus.

A good accompaniment to your mezes is the famous ouzo of Chios or some Ariousios oinos, the wine of Chios which has been famous since antiquity and which has given its name to the local winery.

You must definitely try some aromatic spoon sweets, the nostalgic ypovrychio, sausages, the celebrated walnut pie as well as the large variety of desserts made with mastic that have been created in recent years.

Fragrant Chios, with its charming medieval villages, the mansions of Kampos, the tear of the mastic tree, the walking routes through nature and its dozens of beaches is a place that will enchant you whichever season of the year you go. Book low-priced flights for Chios with Olympic Air and enjoy your flight in the modern planes of the best regional airline in Europe.

Transport from the airport

You will land at Chios National Airport “Omiros”, which is located 4 km south of the centre of Chios town. From the airport, you can travel by car, taxi or even the local Chios KTEL bus to your final destination. For information on KTEL timetables and ticket prices, visit https://www.chioscitybus.gr. Car rental agencies can also be found inside the airport.