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Major city · Greece

IosΊος

Give Ios 2–3 nights: one for Mylopotas beach and Chora at dusk, one for the north-coast beaches or the Skarkos walk. Party-only visitors can do it in 1.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
EUR
Best months
Jun and Sep (warm sea, fewer people); Jul–Aug for nightlife
avoid Nov–Mar (most businesses shut); mid-Aug for Meltemi wind and crowds
Airports
JTR · ATH
Nights
2–3
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
  • Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
  • Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
  • Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
  • Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
  • Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
  • Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
  • Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.

Ios is a small Cyclades island between Naxos and Santorini, 40 minutes by fast ferry from Santorini and about 1 hour from Naxos. Chora is the whitewashed village on the hill, the port at Yialos sits below it, and Mylopotas is the long sandy beach 10 minutes away. Nightlife is concentrated in Chora, which is why the island reads as a party stop, but the beaches and the walking are the reason to stay longer. Two or three nights covers it; a day trip from Santorini is possible but rushed.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Ios, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
  • BeerBeer: bar in Chora / can from a mini-market€5–9 (≈ US$6–11) / €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
  • Metro or bus rideBus Yialos–Chora–Mylopotas€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Budget bedHostel or camping bed, a night, per person€20 (≈ US$25)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
  • High-end bedDouble room, a night, per room€260 (≈ US$350)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €220 (≈ US$300)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Mylopotas beachChora village and its nightlifeSkarkos prehistoric settlementHomer's tomb and PlakotosNorth-coast beaches reached by boat
Airports
JTR Santorini (Thira) National Airport (Nearest airport; ferry from Athinios or the old port, about 40 min by fast ferry) · ATH Athens International (Fly here, then ferry from Piraeus; about 5–7 h by conventional ferry, faster by high-speed)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Ios: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

14°C

9°C

9 rd

Feb

14°C

9°C

8 rd

Mar

16°C

10°C

6 rd

Apr

19°C

12°C

4 rd

May

23°C

15°C

2 rd

Jun

27°C

19°C

1 rd

Jul

29°C

22°C

0 rd

Aug

29°C

22°C

0 rd

Sep

26°C

20°C

1 rd

Oct

22°C

17°C

4 rd

Nov

18°C

13°C

7 rd

Dec

15°C

11°C

9 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

KTEL local buses link Yialos, Chora and Mylopotas in summer, roughly every 20–30 min until late (check the timetable). Taxis wait at the Chora bus station and at the port pier. Renting a car, moped or ATV in Chora is the practical way to reach the far beaches; boats also run from the port to the north-coast beaches in season.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Santorini

go

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Fast ferry from Yialos, about 40 min

Easy add-on, but Santorini deserves its own night rather than a same-day return.

Naxos

overnight

Door to door: About 1.5–2 h

Ferry from Yialos, about 1 h by fast ferry

Better as the next island than a day trip.

Manganari beach

go

Door to door: About 45–60 min

Bus or boat from Chora/Yialos, or your own vehicle on the south road

Sheltered sandy bay with tavernas; check return times before you go.

Agia Theodoti and Psathi

go

Door to door: About 30–45 min

Boat from the port in season, or drive the north-east road

Quiet beaches with a taverna or two; no bus service to some of them.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Chora

Village centre; walk to bars, restaurants and the bus stop. Noisy until about 04:00 in summer if you are near the square.

Yialos (the port)

Ferry pier, tavernas and a small beach; quieter in the evening, 10–15 min by bus or a steep stair walk up to Chora.

Mylopotas

Beach strip with hotels, camping and watersports; 10 min by bus from Chora, the pick if you want sand at the door.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
€45–75 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
Mid
€80–140 (≈ US$95–170) excl. bed
High
€150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room1 × 3 nights × €110€330
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × €110€660
Ferry Santorini → Ios, one way2 × €12€24
ATV or moped, 24 h1 × €30€30
eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15€30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge€107
Trip total≈ €197 per person per day, bed included€1,181≈ US$1,400

2026 estimate in euro; ferries and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
Souvlaki or gyros pita€4–7 (≈ US$5–9)
Taverna meal with wine€18–30 (≈ US$25–35) per person
Beer: bar in Chora / can from a mini-market€5–9 (≈ US$6–11) / €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
Bus Yialos–Chora–Mylopotas€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
Sunbed and umbrella on Mylopotas€10–25 (≈ US$12–30)
ATV or moped, 24 h€15–40 (≈ US$18–50)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Ios is a safe island for tourists; the real risks are night driving, unlit roads, strong Meltemi wind on exposed beaches and heat on the walking routes. Use the bus or a taxi after drinking.
  • Night driving: island roads are narrow and unlit and drink-driving is common in summer. Take the bus or a taxi after dark.
  • Meltemi wind in late July and August can cancel or delay ferries and boat trips; keep a buffer day before a flight.
  • Book ferries and beds ahead for Jul–Aug; the island fills and prices jump.
  • Beaches outside Mylopotas and Yialos have little shade, no lifeguards and few shops: carry water, a hat and cash.

Emergency numbers

European emergency number
112
Police
100
Ambulance
166
Fire
199
Tourist police
1571
Coast guard
108

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

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IosΊος

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Σε αυτή τη διεύθυνση, παρακαλώTo this address, please

Emergency

  • European emergency number112
  • Police100
  • Ambulance166
  • Tourist police1571
  • Coast guard108

Embassy

No embassies on Ios; the US embassy and most others are in Athens. Consulates for several countries are in Athens and Thessaloniki.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Ferry Santorini → Ios: about €12 (≈ US$14) fast ferry, 40 min
  • Bus Yialos → Chora: €2–3 (≈ US$3–4), about 10 min
  • Taxi Chora → Mylopotas: €10–15 (≈ US$12–18)

Say or show

  • Γεια σας — Hello (ya sas)
  • Ευχαριστώ — Thank you (efharisto)
  • Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ — The bill, please (ton logariasmo, parakalo)
  • Πόσο κάνει; — How much is it? (poso kani)
  • Πού είναι η στάση του λεωφορείου; — Where is the bus stop? (pou ine i stasi tou leoforiou)
  • Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα; — Can I pay by card? (boro na pliroso me karta)

Ferry times and beach-boat schedules change with the wind: confirm the day before you travel.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ios. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun and Sep (warm sea, fewer people); Jul–Aug for nightlife · avoid Nov–Mar (most businesses shut); mid-Aug for Meltemi wind and crowds · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Ferry contract for Yialos: last bus and taxi times from the port, plus a fallback if the Meltemi cancels sailings.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Chora and Skarkos, Mylopotas, Yialos, and the Plakotos–Homer's tomb ridge.
  3. Place pages with verified opening hours (Skarkos, archaeological museum, open-air theatre) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Beach pages with access, shade, taverna and return-transport facts for Manganari, Agia Theodoti, Psathi and Kalamos.

Meanwhile

Back to Greece

Sources