Travel Guide Chios, Greece

My family and I have always traveled to the Northern Aegean, but only to visit my family in Lemnos. This year we decided to explore two different islands, one of them being the fifth largest island in all of Greece; Chios. Chios is a gorgeous island filled with many distinctive towns, a lot of history, and home to the mastiha tree (which we will get to later in this post.) We spent three days traveling mostly to the southern part of the island, and it was way too short for an island that had so much to discover. Let’s dive in and learn why Chios is Greece’s best-kept secret.

Number of Days to Stay: 3-5 Days

Expense: $$-$$$

Best Time to Travel: April – October. If you want to avoid the summer crowds, make sure to not travel between June through August. August is the most popular month for Europeans (greeks especially) to travel within Greece.

Where to Stay:

Chios Town – I would usually recommend staying in the main town of the island. Still, there are so many surrounding villages with great accommodations that are a little quieter to visit. However, if you plan on spending only a couple of days on the island, this will be your best option as the port is in town, the airport is only a few kilometers away, there is bus transportation, and it is where most of the shops and nightlife are located!

Karfas – If you would like to be close to the town or airport and want a more serene atmosphere, finding any accommodation in Karfas is a great choice! Since going to the beach was our main focus on this trip, we decided to find a hotel in this town, and it did not disappoint! There are also many restaurants and parking spots, and taxis are easily accessible if you ask the establishment to call one. We enjoyed staying in this beach village.

Mesta – Mesta is a great village to stay in if you are more interested in exploring the southwest side of the island and want to live with the locals. You can also take a ferry to Mesta’s port instead of traveling to Chios port, which is about 40 minutes away. This medieval town has amazing restaurants, shops, and history. It is also located in a convenient part of the island to visit some of the most beautiful beaches and unique villages. We can’t forget to mention that it is one of the top places to purchase mastiha!

Volissos – The southern part of the island may have the most visitors, but that doesn’t mean the northern part of the island isn’t just as beautiful! Volissos is a great location to stay in as the village is near the water, close to many attractions, and even has a castle (you could check it out too!). Most of the accommodations here are very inexpensive. For all of our ancient Greek history nerds, this village is also said to be the birthplace of Homer!

Emporios – Chios is known to have over 40 beaches to discover, and finding accommodation in Emporios to visit some of the most famous spots is a great choice. The village has some of the best tavernas in its small port and is next to the most famous beach on the island, Mavra Viola (Black Beach.) If you are not a fan of black pebbles and black sand, then there are amazing sandy beaches in nearby villages to visit as well. The village is known for being surrounded by mastiha trees, its medieval castle, and having remains from prehistoric settlements! If you do not like a lot of tourists driving in and out to visit Mavra Viola, then I would recommend not staying here as it can get quite busy!

Where to Eat:

• The Pastards, Chios Town ($) – This restaurant was the top recommended place to eat in Chios Town, and it did not disappoint! Each dish had a spin on the Greek traditional recipe, like pastitsio gnocchi! Would highly recommend it for all pasta and pizza lovers!

• Vradipus, Chios Town ($$) – The outdoor seating here is so adorable, and it looks like you are eating inside a castle. Vegan Options!

• Spontini, Chios Town ($$) – Italian establishments had a big presence when it came to dining in the town, and Spontini was a must-stop if you are strolling around the main town!

• Hotzas Tavern, Chios Town ($$) – Just outside Chios Town is Hotzas Tavern, rated the top taverna to visit in Chios. I am so sad we missed this restaurant and can’t wait to go back to try it out!

• OZ Bay Restaurant, Agios Isidoros ($$) – After reading countless blogs and restaurant reviews, OZ Bay was the one restaurant that was recommended constantly. With 4.6 stars on Google reviews and countless great reviews on other websites, it’s a shame that we didn’t get to eat here.

• Stou Giorgou, Varvasi ($) – Has an amazing view and ambience. Very close to Chios Town. Vegan options!

• Bachari, Agia Ermioni ($$) – Recommended by our taxi driver, this restaurant had the most gorgeous view of the water and great food! Make sure to make a reservation, as it is a hot spot for dining on the island.

• Roussiko, Chios Town ($) – Another traditional taverna in town that tourists find delicious and includes vegan options!
• Argentikon Restaurant, Kampos ($$) – This restaurant has a romantic dining ambiance and a spectacular view! It is owned by the hotel, so make sure you make a reservation as hotel guests will have first dibs. 
• Taverna Vroulidia, Vroulidia Beach ($) – If you want to get a bite to eat before or during your stay at the beach, make sure to order something from this small canteen.

• Amethystos, Olympi ($$)
• To Apomero, Kampos ($$) – Vegan options!
• La Bussola, Chios Town ($$)
• Taverna Pinaleon, Karfas ($)
• Otra Rota, Chios Town ($$)
• Maria’s Garden, Emporios ($)
• Fish tavern Kyra Despoina, Lithi ($$)

Vegetarian/Vegan Recommendations:

Many of the Greek restaurants above have vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, but there is only one restaurant with vegan dishes promoted.

• My Café, Chios Town ($$)

What to Do:

Beaches

There are over 48 wonderful beaches to visit in Chios, ranging from sand to pebble, and they always have crystal clear waters. With only three days to explore the massive island, we only got to visit and relax at a fe,w but we were able to still do a quick drive-by to check out some of the most beautiful ones. Below are the beaches we were able to visit or recommend stopping at.

• Karfas – The most popular sandy beach on the island! It is very close to Chios town and is within walking distance from our Airbnb. There are a few beach bars to rent chairs and umbrellas at, and some of them are connected to tavernas to grab lunch in the shade if you want more than a club sandwich. This is a big spot for families as the water is very shallow. We ate at the restaurant on the beach called Oasis. I unfortunately did not get any pictures at this beach, but I included our delicious meals on the cutest terracotta dinnerware!

• Komi Beach – Just a short drive south of Karfas is Komi Beach. Less crowded than Karfas, this beach is great for a day in the sun, digging your toes in the sand, and having a swim in the beautiful Aegean waters. There are beach bars here to have lunch and drinks that are uniquely decorated and have music to listen to while you relax! The “άγκυρα” taverna or “Anchor” Taverna in Komi, is a great spot for lunch!

• Glaroi – Situated in a small cove in the northern part of the island is one of the most famous beaches, Glaroi. It is one of the few beaches with music, has shallow water, and is the perfect swimming location. I advise reserving sunbeds beforehand as the beach is small and fills up quickly.

• Mavra Volia – The most famous beach on the island for its history and black pebbles, which the name “Mava Volia” literally translates to. This beach was formed thousands of years ago from a volcanic eruption and is popular with both tourists and locals. There is a small snack cart on the top of the hill before heading down to the beach for food. This is an unorganized beach so make sure to grab all your beach essentials!

• Vroulidia – This natural beach is one of the bluest on the island and is a must-visit, even for a quick dip. Make sure to visit here earlier in the day when the sun is high to capture all of its beauty, as it will get shady in the afternoon from the cliffs. There are no beach chairs or umbrellas to rent, so make sure to bring your beach gear. There is a little snack bar above the hill that uses an air trolley to bring food down from the mountain, which was very cool! I wish we had more time to swim here as it was stunning.

• Salagona – In the southwest of the island is a cluster of beaches where you can enjoy a beach day. But Salagona is one of those beaches worth getting a picture of and relaxing at. The turquoise waters can be seen high above as you drive down the mountain to the shore. The pebble beach has a few sunbeds to buy or you can relax on the free part of the beach.

• Agios Isidoros – One of the few beaches to have a beautiful church situated in the Grecian waters to enjoy as a view! This pebble beach is so unique as not only can you swim in some of the nicest waters on the island, but you can also take a stroll to Pantoukios Church. This is a famous spot for weddings as the view is romantic. One of the best tavernas on the island is located at this beach, so it is a win-win for foodies, beachgoers, and explorers alike!

• Agia Fotini – Just south of Karfas is a beach village called Agia Fotini, lined with endless beach bars and tavernas on the strip. Although there are many beach spots to choose from, I recommend reserving umbrella and chair sets in advance, as it can get very crowded quickly and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

• Trachili Beach – Directly west of Chios Town is a tranquil, secluded beach called Trachili Beach. The Bay Area has cool aqua waters and is a great place to escape large crowds. The location is also a great picture spot from above, as you can see where the bay and the sea are separated by a strip of land, as well as the small tower located on the hill.
• Lithi Beach – Located outside the village,e Lithi is a sandy beach surrounded by greenery with a small port lined with tavernas. There are a few beach bars to rent sun chairs and umbrellas, or you can chill like a local by bringing your own beach essentials and hanging out in the free area. One fun fact about this beach is that you can see old watchtowers used in past wars surrounding the village!

Activities

• Visit the Windmill in Chios Town – The windmills are just outside Chios town and are gorgeous!

• Visit the Medieval Castle in Chios Town – Although we didn’t have time to visit it, you can drive around and see the castle in all of its glory!

• Visit Pyrgi Village – This unique town is like nothing I have ever seen before! Each house is decorated in beautiful black and white patterns, all different from one another. It is one of a kind in Greece and an amazing place to roam around and take in the architecture. There are many local shops to grab souvenirs from as well as cafes to relax and enjoy a quick bite and drink at.

• Visit Mesta Village – One of the coolest Medieval Villages I have visited. All the buildings were built like a castle to keep people out. During the wars, the Greek soldiers would hop from rooftop to rooftop to avoid being captured by the Turks! Other than the rich history, the local shops have unique trinkets and gifts to buy for friends, family, or to treat yourself!

• Take a sailing cruise around Chios – This one is through Get Your Guide, but you can also book through the sailing websites. Unfortunately, we found ourselves unable to book any sailing trips as it was completely booked during the high season, sailed to certain parts of the islands on specific dates, and many didn’t offer BBQ on board (which was a deal breaker for us.) See below for direct sites to some sailing trips we found to take you in and around Chios. Chios Yachting is another boat tour that can take you to places around the island.
• Go to the mastiha museum in Pyrgi – This was recommended by my friend who visits Chios frequently, and by a local. We decided to skip it as we were short on time, but it is great to visit and learn about mastiha and great for shopping for mastica products!
• Shop at mastiha stores – mastiha is a natural sap from a tree only native to Greece and used for many products such as flavorings, liqueur, cosmetics, digestive aids, and more.
• Visit Homer’s Stone where he would write poems in Vrontados
• Go to the Agio Gala Cave
• Visit one of the oldest monasteries in Greece, Nea Moni Monastery
• Visit the caves of Olympi
• Take a day trip to Oinousses Island
• Take a day trip to Psara Island
• Visit the abandoned castle in Anavatos
• Take a day trip to Turkey – There are daily ferries to Izmir Turkey, which is only a 30-minute boat road away from the main port. I only suggest doing this if you have a lot of extra time, as you will have to go through customs when you arrive.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Chios is limited as most of the bars are found in Chios Town, and there is one nightclub on the island. Since the island doesn’t encourage tourism, you will find that locals and visitors will hang out at the same spots.

• Pura Vida, Chios Town – This café has food, drinks and a DJ. One night we passed by and they were playing great dance music, another night they were playing throwbacks from the 70s and 80s. We had a late lunch the day we visite,d so we eat some snacks here and it was very good (we really missed having chicken wings!)

• 44 Bar, Chios Town – This bar is one of the most popular in town and always has a table full outside. When bar hopping in town, we were able to get a table inside. This bar also had a DJ and played 2000s tunes the night we were there.
• After Club – The only club on the island, and it is located in the south, right outside Pyrgi village. Don’t expect this club to start any earlier than 1 a,m as it lives up to its name, “After.”
• Sueño Coffee-Bar, Chios Town – Another well-known party spot in Chios Town known to draw in a younger crowd.
• Kellari, Mesta – For all of the wine lovers, this is a great stop to make and try some local wines, as this wine bar is very popular in southern Chios.
• Metropolis, Chios Town
• Kubrick, Olympi
• Maona, Mesta

Transportation:

Getting To Chios

Airplane – Traveling to Chios by plane is the fastest way to get to the island, and there are many flights in and out of the island to Athens daily! Chios was the last leg of our trip, so we flew into Athens before our flight home to New York, and the flight time was less than 40 minutes. I felt like we were in the air and on the ground in the blink of an eye! You can book a flight to/from Chios with Aegean Airlines or Sky Express. I noticed that there are other Greek islands you can fly to, like Rhodes and Samos, so make sure to research all your options as you plan your trip if you prefer to fly rather than cruise.

Ferry – If you want to save money and enjoy a ride in the Aegean Sea, you can take a regular or fast ferry from Athens’ ports: Piraeus or Rafina. In Chios, there are two ports you can arrive at, Mesta or Chios Town. If you want to arrive in Mesta, your ticket(s) can be booked on seajets.com. (Please note: all ferry times are in military time) If you want to arrive in the main port (Chios town) I suggest using other websites such as directferries.com, go-ferry.com, or ferryhopper.com. If you are traveling to Chios from another island, you can also buy a ferry boat ticket at one of the travel offices in the main town!

If you plan on visiting multiple northern Aegean Islands, such as Mytilene, Lemnos, Samos, and another neighboring island, then the ferry is a great option as the average time between each island is three to five hours. The ferry ride is about 8-9 hours long, and prices range from € 45-€60. There are also cabin options at a higher price if you would like to sleep comfortably during your trip. All ferries have a food stand to purchase bakery dishes, sandwiches, snacks, coffee, beverages, and even alcohol! There is also a self-service food station that is open for specific hours (they will announce it on your ferry ride once you have departed from your original port.) I, unfortunately, slept through the time on my ferry ride as we boarded the ship at 7:00 am. If you would like to enjoy the fresh air while traveling by sea (or get motion sickness) you can go to the outside deck areas of the ferry to relax during your ride (or for a smoke break.) I usually check out the port(s) the boat is docked at temporarily before departing to the next island to our final destination to see what the other islands in the Aegean look like!

While in Chios

Public Transportation – The main public transportation option in Chios is by bus. The main bus station is located in Chios Town. There are different itineraries you can check depending on where you plan to travel to which can be found here. The Chios Bus website has more information on tickets, announcements, and general information to keep you up to date on its bus details.

Taxi/Uber – Taxis are the more expensive option to travel the island, although the quickest way to get to your destination. Your hotel receptionist can call a taxi to your destination, and if you are at a restaurant or establishment,t they are willing to call one as well. If you are in Chios Town, there is a taxi stand in the central square. During our travels, we noticed the taxis charge their rates depending on the distance and time you call them.

Renting Cars/ ATVs / Scooters – Renting a car is the cheapest and best way to get around the island. You can rent a car from the port or the airport, but I highly suggest reserving one in advance, especially if you are traveling in July and August. Popular rental companies like Avis, Enterprise, and Hertz are available to rent from, as well as local businesses. You can also use third-party websites like Expedia and Kayak to find a rental. A local told us to use the third-party travel website, Momondo, which is a popular site frequently used by Europeans.

I cannot wait to visit Chios again, as we didn’t get to explore much of the northern part of the island and were rushed with a lot of our activities. Much like its neighboring island, Lemnos and Mytilene, I will make sure to reserve everything from a car, excursions, and more as it is one of the busiest islands without major public transportation I have been to and don’t want to rely on taxis. Between the friendliness of locals, countless picturesque beaches, and all the rich history behind the island, you could never get bored in Chios.

Catch You Later,

Chios