ChiosNorth Aegean Islands · Greece

All About Chios

Chios is a well-known Greek island situated in the northern Aegean Sea and is actually the fifth-largest island in the country. You may have heard of its world-famous mastic gum that is used to make several products, such as the aromatic mastiha liqueur. Taking a ferry to Chios is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare  ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

Additionally, Chios is also an island full of history and culture, offering the perfect blend of tradition and tourism, fabulous beaches, and amazing gastronomy. It is well known for its picturesque medieval villages and is even the location of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Nea Moni Monastery. There is so much to see and do on Chios that it attracts visitors of all ages and backgrounds, who long to experience its undeniable charm, stunning natural beauty, and fascinating culture.

Greek mythology mentions Chios as the place where Oinopeonas, the grandson of King Minos, ruled in ancient times and it was he who introduced vine-cultivation to the locals. It is also said to be the birthplace of the great poet Homer and as you traverse the island, you can also discover remnants of its Byzantine past and great nautical heritage. You will undoubtedly learn more about the terrible Chios Massacre of 1822 while there, which inspired Victor Hugo to pen his famous poem Enfant de Chios, and moved Delacroix to paint Le Massacre de Chios, which today sits in the Louvre Museum.
 

Routes and Ferries to Chios

As well as being easily accessible from mainland Greece and its islands, Chios is also a bridge to Cesme in Turkey, and there are many ferry connections available throughout the year. You can book your ferry ticket to Chios with Ferryscanner from the port of Piraeus and travel there in 8 hours with Hellenic Seaways or Blue Star Ferries. You can also book ferry tickets to Chios from the port of Lavrio and arrive at the port of Mesta in around 7 hours and 40 minutes.

During high season, ferries leave Kavala for Chios, as well as from Thessaloniki, with crossings taking about 11 hours. If you wish to reach Chios from one of the Greek islands, book your ferry tickets and sail from Agios Efstratios (5.10 hrs), Ikaria (6.10 hrs), Fourni (5 hrs), or Lesvos in 3 hours. Alternatively, book your ferry tickets to Chios from the island of Limnos (6.40 hrs), Mykonos (8.40 hrs), Samos (3.10 hrs), Syros (9.40 hrs), Tinos (5 hrs), and the closer islands of Psara (2.50 hrs) and Inousses (30 mins).

Chios National Airport serves domestic flights throughout the year from Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as the islands of Limnos, Lesvos, Rhodes, and Samos. If you prefer to sail to the island from the port in Athens, book your ferry tickets for Chios, and upon arrival at Athens International Airport, you can take the X96 express bus for the 45-minute journey. Taxis are also available to transfer you to the port and from there is a regular train service from the city center.
 

Ports of Chios

Chios serves many ferries coming to and from the island and therefore has two ports to handle the sea traffic. Chora is the main port on the eastern side of the island, while Mesta is the second port that can be found to the southwest.

Make sure to check which port you will be arriving at when you book your ferry tickets to Chios to avoid confusion. There are also several smaller ports on the island that cater mainly to the local fisherman and passing yachts.
 

Capital & Villages

Chora

Chora is the capital of Chios and also the main port town and largest settlement, with a population of 29,000. From Chora, you can see the coastline of Asia Minor, which tells you a lot about the island’s strategic geographical importance and also explains its rich cultural heritage. The town itself was founded around 1,000 BCE and was once a center of great prosperity, which you can explore in its cultural sites and architecture.

Today it’s still a busy commercial hub for commerce and trade. A walk around Chora will reveal neoclassical buildings, Ottoman mosques, and fountains, modern street cafés, public gardens, an ancient theater, historic monuments as well as ruins of the ancient town within the Medieval quarter.

Mesta

Mesta is a small village 35 km southwest of Chora and it used to be a large producer of mastic, bringing prosperity to its residents who built grand old mansions with their wealth.

Now, it is one of the best-preserved traditional villages on the island and the 400 residents live in houses that seem to form a fortified wall, with winding cobbled streets in between. Try the unique ‘Mestousiko’ wine while you are there and ‘souma’, which is a blend of figs and grapes; both traditional products that make Mesta unique.

Kardamyla

This is one of the largest villages in the northeast of Chios and it enjoys a privileged location overlooking the sea. The area is split into Ano Kardamyla on the plane-covered mountainside, where you will see traditional cubic stone houses, while Kato Kardamyla or Marmaro is the endearing fishing village below of stone-built mansions.

Visit the church of Agios Nikolas to examine its impressive marble iconostasis and check out the sculptures by Thanassis Apartis, created in honor of the seamen of Kardamyla and their maritime traditions.

Anavatos

Visit the atmospheric village of Anavatos just 19km west of Chora. Now deserted, the stone-built village still stands on the hill at a height of 450 meters and was once a medieval settlement of great strategic importance due to its wide vantage point.

The village was abandoned after a catastrophic earthquake in 1881 but you can still walk through its cobbled streets and view the old fortress, the Church of Taxiarchis, the school, and the Church of Virgin Mary. Enjoy a homemade dessert and coffee on the way back and take the lovely path down through the forest if you enjoy walking in nature.

Volissos

Volissos is a beautiful village in the Amani area of Chios just 38km northwest of the main town. About 500 residents still live there, mostly engaged in farming, and the village is crowned by a Byzantine watchtower that overlooks the ruins of a medieval castle.

Inspect the archaeological collection in the central square, dedicated to the Ariousios wine that was once referred to as ‘the god’s nectar’ by the ancient Greeks. You will also find numerous watermills and intriguing Byzantine churches during your visit.

Kampos

Located very close to the airport, Kambos will take you back in time with its Genoese mansions and well-maintained neoclassical architecture. Here, each house is seen as a work of art and the blooming gardens add to the charm of the village.

It is surrounded by orchards of citrus fruit and mastic trees; their scents wafting through the air as you can wander around the arch-covered streets until finally cooling off in the ornate fountains. This protected hamlet is a dreamy location to spend a day in while visiting Chios.
 

Best Beaches

Chios can boast a large number of pristine beaches, some of which are organized, and others still waiting to be discovered. Many can be reached by local transport while some are best accessed by car or bike. The island is relatively large, so many coves still remain totally untouched by tourism.

Megas Limnionas Beach

Very close to town and therefore, extremely popular, Megas Limnionas Beach is suitable for young and old. It has thick sand and pebbles with crystal clear waters and from here you can spot the coast of Asia Minor opposite on a clear day. A selection of restaurants serving delicious fresh fish and other island specialties are nearby.

Lefkathia Beach

Go 42km southeast of Chora and you will reach Lefkathia Beach, possibly one of the most beautiful on the island. Although secluded, it is quite well organized and is well known for its sparkling waters and soft sand.

You can enjoy some water sports here or simply sit in the shade of the pine trees that line the water’s edge before visiting the picturesque nearby village of Volissos.

Daskalopetra Beach

 This long sandy and pebbled stretch is very close to Chios Town and is lined by a graphic little port filled with lively cafés and small shops. Said to be the place where Homer would gather with his students, the famous Homer’s stone is an archaeological site in the area worth visiting.

What could be more poetic than spending the day at this charming location before enjoying a delicious meal of tasty delicacies at one of the waterfront taverns?

Agia Markella Beach

Agia Markella Beach is around 8km away from Volissos and is worth a visit if you wish to get away from the crowds. You will find a monastery built on the beach, dedicated to the patron saint of Chios herself, Agia Markella.

Across the bay, you will see the tiny island of Psara and at the end of the beach, there is a trail leading to a warm water spring.

Trahili Beach

Trahili Beach sits on the western side of Chios to the right of a rocky peninsula and has a backdrop of scented pines and verdant flora. You will love the shimmering turquoise waters and the sense of isolation this beach offers, although it is very close to the small villages of Lithi and Avgonima.

A delightful haven for those seeking the ultimate beach escape.
 

Transportation Around Chios

Chios offers visitors a good road network, with buses leaving from the central bus station in Chios Town and heading to most villages on the island. Taxis are also available if you prefer to use them, although they are more costly.

Car and motorbike rentals are also possible, which would allow you to explore the more remote spots on the island at your own pace. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Chios.