White sand and sunbeds at Manganari

Ios · Beaches

The beaches of Ios

Ios has about 86 km of coast and, unusually for the Cyclades, some 32 km of it is sand. The beaches split cleanly in two. Mylopotas, 3 km below Chora, is the organised one, with beach bars, sunbeds, water sports and FarOut at its southern corner; Gialos by the port and Koumbara are calm and close. The rest sit at the end of long roads across empty hills: Manganari in the south, Agia Theodoti, Psathi and Kalamos on the east coast, and the coves of Plakotos in the north. In summer the meltemi blows from the north, so the south-facing bays are usually the calmest; Kalamos and the northern coves are for still days. Away from Mylopotas, bring water and shade.

Our favourites

Start with these

Straw umbrellas and blue sunbeds on the sand of Mylopotas

SandOrganised

Mylopotas

A long arc of fine sand below Chora and the island's party beach: straw umbrellas, beach bars, water sports, FarOut Beach Club with its pools and DJs at the southern corner, and a row of tavernas and camping grounds behind. The water is shallow, clear and turquoise.

  • Beach bars
  • Water sports
  • Young crowd
  • Shallow water

3 km by road from Chora; the island bus runs between the port, Chora and Mylopotas through the day and well into the night in summer

The northern end, nearer Chora, is quieter in the morning; the southern end around FarOut gets loud in the afternoon.

Mylopotas & the southStay in Mylopotas

Sunbeds on a spit of white sand at Manganari

SandOrganised

Manganari

A chain of sandy coves at the southern tip of the island, facing south and sheltered from the meltemi, with white sand and water in every shade of blue. One cove has sunbeds and tavernas; the others are simpler.

  • Calm water
  • Families
  • Snorkelling

A long paved road from Chora across the empty hills of the south, or the summer boat from the port of Gialos

Stay for a late lunch at Grand Blue when the day boats have gone home.

Mylopotas & the southStay in Manganari

Pick your kind of day

Every other beach worth the drive

Organised
Sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar. Easy with children.
Easy-going
A taverna or a few umbrellas, plenty of room for your towel.
Wild
Nothing but the sea. Bring water, shade and snacks.
The sandy beach and bay of Gialos beside the port

SandOrganised

Gialos

The long sandy beach beside the port, lined with tamarisks, with tavernas, sunbeds and shallow water. Handy on the day you arrive or leave.

  • Families
  • Shallow water
  • Before the ferry

A short walk from the ferry quay

Chora & the portStay in Gialos & Koumbara

The cove of Koumbara near the port of Ios

Sand & pebblesEasy-going

Koumbara

A small cove about 1.5 km west of the port, at the end of the road, with a rocky islet just offshore, a seafood restaurant and a far calmer mood than Mylopotas.

  • Sunset
  • Snorkelling
  • Quiet

By road or on foot from Gialos

Chora & the portStay in Gialos & Koumbara

The road down to the bay of Agia Theodoti, with Naxos on the horizon

SandEasy-going

Agia Theodoti

A wide sandy bay on the north-east coast, about 12 km from the port, below the 16th-century church of Agia Theodoti. Part of it is organised; the rest is open sand and clear water, with Naxos and Paros on the horizon.

  • Families
  • Long swims
  • Calm days

Paved road across the island from Chora; the bus runs in summer

Exposed to the north wind; on a strong meltemi day go south to Manganari instead.

The east coastStay in Agia Theodoti & Paleokastro

SandWild

Psathi

A remote sandy bay on the east coast, about 20 km from the port, with very few people even in August.

  • Quiet
  • Calm days

A long drive across the island; there is no regular bus

The east coast

SandWild

Kalamos

A long golden beach at the end of a dirt road on the east coast, about 16 km from the port, with nothing on it at all.

  • Solitude
  • Nudist-friendly

Paved road towards Psathi, then a dirt track; a car or a sturdy scooter is needed

Bring everything: water, shade and food. Not one for a windy day.

The east coast

Sand & pebblesWild

Tris Klissies

Three small bays in the south, sheltered from every wind, which were the island's old harbour: the remains of ancient buildings lie on the seabed.

  • Snorkelling
  • Calm water

Dirt track off the road to Manganari, or by boat

Mylopotas & the south

The so-called tomb of Homer above the sea at the north of Ios

Sand & pebblesWild

Plakotos

The bay at the northern tip, below the hill of Homer's tomb, with the remains of an ancient aqueduct and a Hellenistic tower nearby.

  • History
  • Solitude

The road north from Chora towards the tomb of Homer, then a track down to the bay

The northStay in Plakotos & Homer's tomb

Wind and sea change by the day. On windy days swim on the sheltered side of the island, and watch for red flags.

Wake up near the water

Find a room a short walk from Ios's best beaches.

Where to stay

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