Cyclades
Ios
Sun, sand, and the most relentless party scene in the Cyclades.
Getting around
Scooter friendly
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Busy in peak
Best months
Jun – Aug
From Athens
7h ferry
In pictures
Ios
Ios has one job and does it exceptionally well: party. Mylopotas beach is one of the best in the Cyclades — long, sandy, with turquoise water and beach clubs running all day into the night. Chora is a beautiful whitewashed village that transforms into a labyrinth of bars after midnight. If you're in your 20s, this is your island. Everyone else will probably hate it.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Almost exclusively a party destination. There is very little else going on and the scene can feel relentless.
Hidden gem
Homer's Tomb at the north end of the island — a quiet windswept ruin most party-island visitors never bother with.
Where it sits
Cyclades, Greece
Ios — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Ios? +
- The best months to visit Ios are June to August. Avoid late July and August if you can — the island is extremely crowded in peak season.
- How do you get to Ios from Athens? +
- Ios has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina, which takes about 7 hours. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Ios good for couples? +
- Ios is more about scenery than swoon — better for active or family trips than honeymoons.
- Is Ios good for families with kids? +
- Ios is not the easiest island for families with young kids.
- Is Ios expensive? +
- Ios is affordable by Greek-island standards — value-for-money is on the weaker side, so set expectations.
- Do you need a car on Ios? +
- A scooter or ATV is the easiest way to get around Ios. Buses cover the main routes but a scooter unlocks the quiet beaches.
- What's the catch with Ios? +
- Almost exclusively a party destination. There is very little else going on and the scene can feel relentless.