CYCLADES SIGHTSEEING - IOS

An exquisite island of the Cyclades group lying in the southern Aegean Sea between Santorini and Paros. Until some years ago Ios was a totally virgin island. However over the last decades and despite the fact that Ios was never properly advertised, a large tourism flow has been recorded to Ios.

The unique architecture of all the white houses in Chora, the beautiful monasteries scattered throughout the island, the deep blue sea, the extensive golden beaches and especially the cheerful temper of the islanders, made tourism develop rapidly.

The yachtsmen appreciate the island’s safe-in-all-weather harbor (Vathis Gialos is one of the biggest natural harbors in the Aegean sea and it is known as Little Malta).

Lovers prefer Ios because of the pure natural beauty of its landscape; romantics love the unexplored seashores (only 3 of 35 beaches have been commercially developed); and historians appreciate its rich history, as the Great Homer (poet of the "Iliad" and "Odyssey") was buried there; plus there are many significant remnants to be explored.

According to historical evidence, Ios has had a rich history throughout the Roman and Byzantine periods.

In 1204, Ios came under the occupation of the Crusades. In 1537, it was occupied by the Turks, who massacred all the elders and took all the young people as slaves.

After many adventures and due to the bravery of its inhabitants, Ios gained back its independence in 1829.

SIFNOS, ANDROS, AMORGOS, DELOS, IOS, KEA, KYTHNOS, MILOS, MYKONOS, NAXOS, PAROS, ANTIPAROS, SANTORINI, SERIFOS, SIKINOS, SYROS, TINOS, FOLEGANDROS