Aegean
Chios
Medieval mastic villages, Byzantine monasteries, and a uniquely flavoured island.
Getting around
Car recommended
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Quiet
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Flight or ferry
In pictures
Chios
Chios is famous for one thing above all others: mastic — a resin produced only here, used in everything from chewing gum to spirits to skincare. The mastic-producing villages in the south (the Mastichochoria) are extraordinary — medieval fortified settlements with geometric black-and-white patterns painted on every building. The island also has excellent beaches and a genuinely authentic local life.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Not conventionally pretty in the way most people imagine Greece. The appeal is history and culture, not postcard scenery.
Hidden gem
Walk through Pyrgi village — every building painted with geometric black-and-white xysta patterns. Surreal.
Where it sits
Aegean, Greece
Chios — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Chios? +
- The best months to visit Chios are May to October. It's calm and uncrowded most of the year, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Chios from Athens? +
- Chios has an airport, so you can fly direct from Athens in under an hour or take the ferry.
- Is Chios good for couples? +
- Chios is more about scenery than swoon — better for active or family trips than honeymoons.
- Is Chios good for families with kids? +
- Chios is a solid family option, though you'll want a car for the best beaches.
- Is Chios expensive? +
- Chios is affordable by Greek-island standards — and it's one of the better-value picks in its tier.
- Do you need a car on Chios? +
- You'll want a rental car on Chios — distances are longer and the best beaches are spread out.
- What's the catch with Chios? +
- Not conventionally pretty in the way most people imagine Greece. The appeal is history and culture, not postcard scenery.