Ios holidays

Away from the beach, the pretty village of Chora (or Hora) should be on your must-visit list on a holiday to Ios. Whitewashed houses cling to the hillside and the streets are so narrow that cars can’t access it; instead, holidaymakers and locals fill the streets of Chora. There are many restaurants, bars and shops lining the pretty pathways, and you’ll also notice some of Ios’ traditional windmills in Chora, which offer perfect picture opportunities.

Ios is also reputedly the burial place of the Greek poet Homer and you can plan a trip to visit his tomb near Plakoto Beach.

Temperatures in winter are still pleasant but you may find it harder to get to Ios as many ferries offer limited services.

Home, a great Greek poet known for his works Odyssey and the Iliad, is said to have died and been buried on Ios – his mother was apparently from the island. His tomb is believed to be in the north of the island around an eight-mile (13km) drive northeast of Chora.

The winding route to reach the tomb is beautiful, with some breath-taking panoramas. There’s a fantastic view from the tomb itself too. Plakoto Beach is nearby.

Panagia Gremiotissa

According to legend, there are 365 churches on Ios – although many are now ruined. One to visit is Panagia Gremiotissa at the top of Chora. Weave through alleyways up a slope to reach the blue-domed building to be rewarded by views over Chora and the deep blue Aegean Sea. The panorama is especially magical at sunset, so remember your camera.

On August 15, celebrations take place here for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Beaches

Ios’ coastline is peppered with places to lay your towel, whether you fancy a sandy spot with restaurants and shops nearby or a secluded beach away from the crowds.

Mylopotas Beach is a popular option with water sports, sunbeds to hire and beach bars. Manganari Beach is an equally beautiful, but quieter, stretch with facilities such as sunbeds and a taverna.

On the east of the island, Psathi Beach is popular with windsurfers – there’s a taverna nearby but no sun-loungers, so visit for the tranquillity.

Skarkos

The archaeological site of Skarkos sits on a hill north of Chora, and is one of the largest and best-preserved early Bronze Age settlements. It’s around a 20-minute walk from the village, and you can wander around the city ruins and restored terraces.

To find out more about the site, combine a visit here with a trip to Chora’s Archaeological Museum where many of the objects found at Skarkos are displayed.

Ios windmills

For a unique photo opportunity, hike up to the whitewashed windmills in Chora. Traditionally used to grind grain, some have been restored with thatched roofs while others are weatherworn ruins.

Take some time to photograph the traditional structures and admire in the view sprawling out below before heading back to Chora for refreshments.