Ios holidays

How to reach Ios

• Flight time: There are no direct flights to Ios from Ireland. The nearest airports are on Santorini or Mykonos. Flights from Dublin to Santorini take about 4 hours 15 minutes, while flights to Mykonos take just over 4 hours.

• Transfer time: Once you land, it's a 15 to 20-minute taxi ride from either airport to the local port. Ferries from Santorini to Ios range from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the service. From Mykonos, the ferry takes 1 hour 10 minutes to 2 hours. Ios Town is a short 2km trip from the island’s port.

• Price: A taxi from Santorini Airport to the port costs around €50. From Mykonos Airport to the port, you can expect to pay around €20. Ferry prices vary by operator and season, with faster services generally costing more.

Weather and best time to visit Ios

The best time to visit Ios depends on whether you're chasing sunshine, peace and quiet, or beach parties.

• April to June: Great for hiking and sightseeing, with temperatures between 19°C and 29°C, very little rainfall, and up to 11 hours of sunshine daily.

• July to August: Peak season for sunseekers and nightlife lovers. Days are hot (often around 30°C), dry, and filled with sunshine, but the island gets busy.

• September to October: Still warm (23°C to 27°C) and less crowded. You might get the odd shower, but the sea remains lovely for swimming and snorkelling.

• November to March: Off-season. Expect cooler temperatures (around 14°C–15°C), more wind and rain, and many restaurants and hotels closed for the season.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Greek is the official language, though English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

• Currency: Greece uses the Euro.

• Getting around: Buses, taxis and water taxis are the main public transport options. Bus fares are around €2, and they connect Ios Town, beaches and nearby villages. Taxis can be scarce in high season. Hiring a quad bike or scooter is a popular and flexible way to explore.

• Electricity and plug types: Greece uses 230V electricity and plug types C and F. Irish visitors will need a two-pin adaptor.

• Time zone: Ios runs on Eastern European Time (EET), 2 hours ahead of Ireland, and 3 hours ahead during summer months.

Best things to do in Ios

Holidays to Ios offer a mix of vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches and cultural sites.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Odysseas Elytis Theatre: This open-air theatre, located just outside Ios Town, offers breathtaking views of the sunset over the sea.

• Pyrgos: This is the highest point on the island, offering 360-degree views of Ios and the surrounding islands. The hike up is worth it for the spectacular vistas.

The best districts

• Ios Town: The heart of Ios is a charming maze of narrow streets lined with bars, cafés and shops. It's the perfect place to explore during the day and experience the vibrant nightlife in the evening.

• Ormos: The port of Ios, Ormos, is a picturesque area with a relaxed atmosphere. It's a great place to enjoy a meal at a seaside taverna and watch the boats come and go.

Museums

• Museum of Modern Art Jean Marie Drot: Perfectly situated above Kolitsani Bay, this museum houses the private collection of the late French writer and cinematographer Jean Marie Drot – paintings, sculptures, photographs and more.

• Diaseli Traditional Cheesery & Museum: There's no better place for a deep dive into the island's rich cheese-making heritage than at the Diaseli estate's on-site museum. Complete the experience with a cheese-tasting.

Historic monuments

• Homer's Tomb: Legend has it that the ancient poet Homer is buried on Ios. The site offers not only a glimpse into history but also stunning views of the coastline.

• Panagia Gremiotissa: This iconic church in Chora (also called Ios Town) is one of the most photographed spots on the island.

Day trips in the area

• Naxos: Nearby island Naxos boasts beautiful beaches, traditional villages and ancient ruins.

• Santorini: A short ferry ride away, Santorini is a must. Explore the famous caldera, visit the charming villages of Oia and Fira and enjoy the breathtaking views. Discover our deals on holidays to Santorini.

• Sikinos: This smaller, quieter island offers a medieval castle, the monastery of Zoodochos Pigi and unspoiled beaches.

Activities for families in Ios

Despite its party reputation, holidays to Ios have plenty to offer families.

• Swimming pools: Most family-friendly hotels on the island have swimming pools with shallow areas for children or a separate pool, such as the Yialos Ios Hotel in Ios Town.

• Interactive museums: Housed in the Amiradakeio Mansion in Ios Town, the small Archaeological Museum is the perfect place to learn about the island's history.

• Archeological sites: One of the most important archeological sites in the Cyclades, the well-preserved Bronze Age site of Skarkos is a must-see.

• Family-friendly beaches: Mylopotas and Yialos beaches are family-friendly and have shallow waters, ideal for young swimmers. Beachside facilities include sunbeds, umbrellas and water sports rentals.

Free things to do in Ios

There are plenty of free activities to enjoy during your Ios holidays, from folk festivals to beach days.

• Free events: Each of the island's churches hosts festivals on the name day of its dedicated saint. Events include feasts, traditional music and dancing. For example, the feast of St John Prodromos is celebrated on 24th June at the monastery in Pyrgos.

• Free museums: Some local museums in Chora offer free entry on certain days. For instance, the Archaeological Museum of Ios is free from November to March on the first Sunday of each month.

• Beaches: Ios is known for its stunning beaches; skip the organised ones, and you won't have to spend a cent. Secluded, golden-sand Agia Theodoti on the island's eastern side is spectacular.

• Explore Ios by public transport: The local bus service is a cost-effective way to explore the island. A single ticket costs around €2, making visiting various beaches and villages easy.

Wellness in Ios

• Spas and thermal baths: Many hotels in Ios have luxurious spa facilities. The Liostasi Hotel offers a range of treatments, including massages, facials and hydrotherapy sessions.

• Traditional body care: Experience traditional Greek body care treatments using local olive oil and herbs. These treatments are known for their nourishing and healing properties and are available at various spas around the island.

• Yoga and meditation centres: Studios like Harmony Ios on Mylopotas Beach offer retreats and daily yoga classes for all levels.

Nature and outdoor activities

• Hiking: The island has a plethora of hiking trails. Hikers can find maps of the trail network at the Citizen Service Centre in Ios Town. Trail No. 3 runs from town to Agios Prokopios, taking in Ios' famous windmills, the Odysseas Elytis Theatre and the churches of Prophet Elias and Agios Prokopios. Alternatively, you can take a path to Manganari Beach after the theatre.

• Scuba diving: Based in the Far Out Beach resort, Meltemi Diving Centre offers a variety of dive packages with PADI-certified instructors, including fun dives for beginners.

• Snorkelling: Gialos Beach, near the ferry port, is good for snorkelling with shallow waters. Expect to see wrasse, red mullet, rock-haunting blennies and starfish, among much else.

• Stand-up paddle-boarding: Mylopotas Watersports offers equipment rental and lessons on Mylopotas and Manganari beaches.

Local dishes in Ios

On your Ios holidays, expect plenty of seafood, locally produced cheese (including myzithra, skotiri and kefalotiri) and a variety of pies.

Some typical dishes

• Tsimetia: An island speciality, courgette flowers stuffed with rice, onion and herbs and cooked in broth.

• Mizithropitakia: Small myzithra-filled sweet pies doused in honey and dusted with powdered sugar.

Meze dishes

• Dolmades: Vine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs and sometimes minced meat, served with a lemon sauce.

• Htapodi Ksydato: Octopus marinated in olive oil and vinegar.

Meat dishes

• Kleftiko: Slow-cooked lamb with vegetables and herbs, often wrapped in parchment paper to retain all the flavours.

• Souvlaki: Grilled skewers of marinated meat (typically pork or chicken) served with pitta bread, tomatoes and tzatziki.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Grilled octopus: Fresh octopus grilled and drizzled with olive oil and lemon, a popular choice for seafood lovers.

• Garides saganaki: Prawns cooked in a rich tomato sauce with cheese and herbs, typically served with crusty bread.

Street food

• Gyros: Pork or chicken shavings, tomatoes, onions, tzatziki and, sometimes, chips in pitta.

• Loukoumades: Small, deep-fried doughnuts drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon and nuts.

Sweets and desserts

• Galaktoboureko: These sweet syrup-soaked filo pastries are filled with semolina custard.

• Kataifi: Similar to baklava but made with shredded filo dough, creating a unique texture.

Local drinks

• Ouzo: A traditional Greek anise-flavoured spirit, usually diluted with water and served with meze.

• Rakomelo: A warm drink made from raki, honey and spices, perfect for cooler evenings.