Mylopotas beach
Windsurfing, Partly Sandy, Organised, Water sports, sunbeds
Location: 2km south east of Chora
This is the most popular beach on Ios and also known for one of the best beaches in Greece. It regularly features in the polls as one of the “Top 10 beaches of Europe”. Mylopotas beach is a blue flag beach and is more than 1km long. It has a beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear and clean waters.
The beach is in a shape of a horseshoe with rocks either end of the beach. The beach offers sunbeds and umbrellas with many bars, taverns, restaurants and small shops along the beach.
For the more adventurous you can do watersports, diving, kayaking or boat hiring. There are also 2 places on the beach where you can play volleyball.
To reach the beach from Chora you can walk 20min down the hill or take the bus from the main village.
Manganari beach
Partly Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, Nudism friendly, shallow waters
Location: 23km south east of Chora
This beautiful beach is not so crowded like Mylopotas beach and it is a series of small sandy coves that shape into smaller beaches.
The beach is not overcrowded or noisy, therefore it makes it fantastic to enjoy nature and its natural surroundings. The secluded bay is protected from strong winds and offer great swimming and snorkelling conditions.
The beach has a blue flag, and the sea is very shallow that offers great swimming for families. The beach has a section with umbrellas and sunbeds. Watersports like windsurfing are also on offer.
You can also find taverns and restaurants nearby. Manganari also features in the movie “The Big Blue” in 1988.
There are several ways to get to the beach:
- By air-conditioned bus. There are several daily departures from the Port, Chora or Mylopotas Beach.
- By boat. There are daily departures from the Port in the morning.
- By hire car / scooter / motorbike. Enjoy the breath-taking views on the way to this fabulous unspoilt beach. From high up on the road you can appreciate the great beauty and size of this stunning beach.
Kalamos beach
Sandy, Non Organised, snorkelling
Location: 10km south east of Chora
There is a picturesque rock in the middle of Kalamos beach which divides the beach in 2 parts. The one side is more organized than the other side of the beach. One side you will find umbrellas, deck chairs, showers, taverns, beach bars and hotels. On the other side you can enjoy nature and privacy.
You can enjoy swimming, diving, snorkelling, boat renting at Kalamos beach.
Agia Theodoti beach
Partly Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, Water sports, Nudist friendly
Location: 9km north east of Chora
Theodoti beach is on of the quieter beaches on the island. With its sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and Greek taverns this is a perfect spot if you do not prefer the noisy beaches. Here you can snorkel, sunbath, swim and rent an umbrella or sunbed from the locals.
The beach is shaped in a horseshoe with mountains on either end of the beach. You will also find some trees on the beach that provide shade to its visitors.
From the beach you can see the 16th century Byzantine church of St Theodoti on the hillside which is one of the oldest on the island. There are also ruins of a Hellenistic tower and an ancient aqueduct of Theodoti.
The beach can be reached by bus/rental car or scooter. Form the windmills of Chora you follow the road to Epano Kambos.
Gialos beach
Diving club, Windsurfing, Sandy, Family Friendly, Organised, Harbor, Watersports, Spacious, Blue Flag beach, anchorage for small yachts and cabin cruisers
Location: 2km east of Chora
Gialos beach is situated very close to the port of Ios, and this provides a very good view of the ships arriving at the island. Gialos beach is sandy and covered by trees, which makes it ideal for families. The beach is also surrounded by cliffs with traditional Greek houses around it.
The beach is long (500m) and narrow and with shallow waters and nearly no waves, it makes it an ideal tourist attraction. The bay is also not very windy, and they offer sunbeds and umbrellas to tourists.
During the summer cabin cruisers and small yachts like to anchor here. You can also find hotels, taverns, restaurants and cafes in the area.
Kolitsani beach
Sandy, Non Organised, Nudism friendly
Location: 2km from Chora
Kolitsani is a small cove on the headland between the port and Mylopotas beach and known to be a quiet beach. The beach is very narrow and there are no tourist facilities like cafes, bars, sunbeds or umbrellas. If you plan to send the day here, you will need to bring food, water, sunscreen, umbrella and everything else you will need.
The water is crystal clear, and the beach is sandy. It is ideal for nudist bathers as it is very private and quiet.
The beach can be reached on foot down a steep hill which will take around 20 minutes. Or it could be reached by kayak or boat taxi from Mylopotas beach.
Papa beach
Sandy, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 11km south east of Chora
Papa beach has an idyllic location which lies south of Kalamos. The beach is surrounded by cliffs covered in vast plantation.
The beach lacks modern facilities like umbrellas, sundecs, cafes, bars, taverns and accommodation facilities. Papa beach does not receive lots of visitors and therefore you can really enjoy the peace and tranquillity of nature there.
You can reach the beach by sea or by car.
Psathi beach
Sandy, Secluded, Non Organised, Isolated beach, windsurfing
Location: 17km east of Chora
Psathi beach is located in the unspoilt valley of Psathi. This sandy beach consists of two beaches. The beach is very deserted and ideal if you want to relax and enjoy nature.
It is also a very popular beach under windsurfers when the wind picks up and it is a safe anchorage for yachts. There are no sunbeds or umbrellas available to rent.
At the end of the peninsula, there is a small islet called Psathonisi. You can also visit the ruins of Pakeokastro (Old Castle) when you pass Agia Theodoti on your way to Psathi.
The beach is accessible by car and there are a few rooms available to rent at Psathi beach.
Plakoto beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 13km north of Chora
Plakoto is located at the northernmost end of the island and has no tourist facilities. This beach does not get visited often. If you do plan to visit, you need to bring all your supplies with like food, water and sunscreen.
The beach is full of pebbles and the beach could be affected by strong winds. To reach the beach you will have to drive along a dirt road.
Cape Karatzas beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised, Snorkelling
Location: On the northern side of the island
Cape Karatzas beach is a small cove located at the north-western tip of Ios above Plakoto. The sea is dark blue and has pebbles. There are no tourist facilities nearby.
The beach doesn’t get many visitors as it is not ideal for swimming, mostly recommended for snorkelling.
Diamoudia beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised, Snorkelling
Location: 7km north of Chora
Diamoudia beach is partly covered in sand and partly in pebbles. This beach is located in the northern part of the island and is surrounded by rocks and some greenery. The seabed is also rocky which makes this beach more ideal for snorkelling than swimming. Most visitors visit the beach by boat. There are also no tourist facilities in the area.
Kambaki beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 10km north of Chora
Kambaki is one of the most secluded beaches on the island. It is located northwest with an unspoilt beach. Not many tourists visit this beach as it is not suitable for swimming, due to the rocky seabed. And you can only reach the beach by hiking or by boat.
Loretzena beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 5km north of Chora
Loretzena beach is a very secluded beach northwest of Chora. It is in a small cove with no tourist facilities. The landscape is rocky and has beautiful views of the Aegean Sea. The sea has large rocks and therefore it is not ideal for swimming.
Neraki beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised, Snorkelling
Location: 12km north east of Chora
Neraki beach is covered in sand and small pebbles. It is located north east of Chora and does not get many visitors. TO reach the beach you need to follow a hiking route from Agia Theodoti to Neraki. Or it could be reached by boat. The seabed has many rocks and makes swimming not so pleasant, but more ideal for snorkelling.
Koumbara beach
Partly Organized, Sandy, Water sports, Nudism friendly
Location: 3km west of Chora
Koumbara beach is around 30 minutes walking from Ormos port. It is a very popular beach with lots of options for accommodation, shops, bars and restaurants. There are also umbrellas and sunbeds to rent during the summertime. Water sports are very popular, and they feature a Blue Flag for its clean waters and well organised facilities. The beach is around 300m long.
Plakes beach
Sandy, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 12km east of Chora
Plakes is one of the most impressive beaches on Ios. The sandy beach and crystal clear waters with green waters is a magnificent view to enjoy. The remote beach is located near Kalamos, northeast of Manganari. It is not easy to reach the beach, but it is definitely worth the effort. There are no tourist facilities nearby.
Tripiti beach
Sandy, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 20km south of Chora
Tripiti is a beautiful beach located on the southern side of the island, 2km from Manganari and 20km from Chora. Tripiti is a beach with outstanding beauty, crystal waters and golden sand. To reach the beach you need to take a boat, or with no road to Tripiti you have to walk. The closest tourist facilities can be found in Manganari, 2km away.
Tris Klisies beach
Sandy, Secluded, Non Organised, Nudism Friendly
Location: 20km south east of Chora
This is a beautiful beach located on the southern part of the island. This is a very secluded beach and often preferred by nudists. There are no tourist facilities nearby. To get to the beach you need to leave your car in the small hiking path and walk around 10-15 minutes. The surrounding area is very rocky and offer beautiful views which can be explored by boat.
Tzamaria beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 3km from Chora
Tzamaria beach is located at the entrance of the port of Ios, around 3km from Chora. The beach is sandy and has got pebbles. The waters are ideal for snorkelling as the seabed is full of rocks. The closest tourist facilities can be found in Ormos, around 10 minute’s walk on foot.
Valmas beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised, Nudism friendly
Location: 3km south west of Chora
Valmas is located at the entrance of the port of Ios, but does not get many visitors due to its rough landscapes. The sea is not appropriate for swimming due to the rocks, but snorkelling can be enjoyed. There are no tourist facilities nearby. The closest facilities are found in Ormos or Chora around 15 minute walk.
Vathirema beach
Sandy, Non Organised, Secluded, Nudism Friendly
Location: 19km east of Chora
Vathirema beach is known for its privateness and therefore are very popular under the nudist population. The waters are beautiful and with sandy beaches it makes it lovely for swimming and sunbathing. The beach is located between Psathi and Plakes and can be reched by foot or boat.
