A rustic and rural island of myth and mystery; one of the most undiscovered and unspoiled of all the Greek islands.
According to ancient Greek mythology, the first King of Chios was Oinopeonas or Inopion, the grandson of Minoas king of Crete, the son of Dionysus and Ariadne, who taught the islanders how to grow wines. The myth says that the island owes its name to Oinopeonas’ daughter, Chiona. Also, according to legend, legendary Greek writer Homer is said to have been born here. There is a rock in Vronteros (also known as ‘Homeropolis’) that you can visit where Homer is said to have recited his poems to big crowds.
Chios is a rustic and rural island of myth and mystery, famous for its mastic.
It does not register on many tourist maps and, as a result, it is one of the most undiscovered and unspoiled of all the Greek islands.
In North Chios and shortly after Sykiada village lies the picturesque chapel of Agios Isidoros (St. Isidore). It is a bay with beach with fine pebbles which leads to the chapel. It is one of the most photographed places on the island and just behind the church, there is a bench with seating where you can rest and enjoy the view.
The cave of Olympi (also known as cave Sykia) is located on the South part of Chios island, near Olympi village and not far away from Pyrgi and Mesta villages. Although the cave is relatively small, its interior full of stalactites and stalagmites is exceptional, making it one of the best of its kind in Greece. The sun rays, entering from the cave’s natural entrance of the roof, combined with the colors of the cave (red, yellow and white), make for a stunning view.
1.5 km north of the city are the windmills of the island built on a small jetty at Tampakika. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, it was developed a small-scale industrial infrastructure. The main product of small industries of the island was finished leather produced in tanneries, which were on the north of the city at Tampakika. These four windmills were part of this industrial production.
Located in a unique arcade in the centre of Chios town, Oz has a fantastic selection of cocktails – some traditional, some modern and some of their own. Our top tip is to put your trust in the mixologists’ hands when it comes to ordering your cocktail… Just tell them what flavors you like and let them work their magic!
One of the most unusual beaches in the whole of Greece! Located roughly 30km south of Chios town, this beach is covered in shiny black pebbles, as a result of the volcanic eruption of the nearby inactive volcano of Psaronos. It is surrounded by tall rocky cliffs and the water is usually very, very chilly but swimming here is a really special experience. Make sure you take towels and water as there is not much here in the way of facilities.
Tucked away in a secluded location on the way to Emporios, this tiny bay is a hidden gem on the island of Chios. The pristine turquoise waters and untamed nature are the perfect places for those seeking a few hours of peaceful bliss. The beach itself is mostly sandy with a few pebbles mixed in.
Mastic, also known as the ‘tears of Chios’, is an ancient and aromatic resin found in the sap of the mastica tree, and is prized for its healing properties. Although the mastica tree (Pistacia lentiscus) is ubiquitous throughout the Mediterranean, the variety that produces the mastic resin grows only on the southern part of Chios. Mastic is special stuff. Thought to be the world’s first chewing gum (in the 5th Century BC, Herodotus wrote that the Romans chewed it to clean their teeth and freshen their breath), the famous healing resin has 150 different uses from medicinal (anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, improved blood circulation and is a natural cure for stomach aches and ulcers) to cosmetic (face creams, hair masks and deodorants).
The importance of wine on Chios goes back to antiquity, even more so than other wine-producing regions in Greece. Wine production was so prevalent on Chios that Dionysus gave his personal blessing to the island and its wine. The northwestern part of the island was, and still is, most suited for grape-growing and in ancient times was known as the land of Ariousios, producing the most famous wines of Greece! The appropriately named, Ariousios Winery is the only commercial winery on the island and is committed to bringing back the wine-producing culture that once thrived on the island.
Nea Moni Monastery is Chios’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and a definite must see on your trip to Greece. Built by the Byzantines in the 11th Century, the name ‘Nea Moni’ (New Monastery) is a misnomer – it is one of the oldest monasteries in Greece! While exploring this wonderful monastic site, make sure you check out the most sobering part of the Monastery: the memorial to the Chios Massacre. The Ottomans came over and slaughtered and enslaved the whole island, and Nea Monis was the scene of one of those slaughters – and there is quite a gruesome tribute to this event in the monastery… you’ll know what we are talking about when you see it!
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