My name is Desiree. I’m 28 years old and I grew up in a small village near Dusseldorf. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Greek Island of Ios for three days. It was a lovely little summer escape and I would love to share with you some of the highlights, plus provide a few recommendations.
Before I do so, let me tell you a little bit more about myself. I moved to Berlin in 2011 and lived there for nine years. In 2017, I started to share travel and fashion photos on Instagram. It wasn’t my intention to turn my hobby into a profession but it happened. Today, I’m so happy to live my passion.
I’ve always dreamed about creating something on my own. In 2020, I met my boyfriend Pascal and we talked about our dreams and realised that we shared the same vision. Because of this we started “Distant Places”. We create presets and soon will publish blogs on our journeys.
Three Incredible Days in Ios
We visited Ios for three days. On our first day we had breakfast and dinner at Nostos Ios – a cafe by the beach which was only 200 metres from our suite. You get the healthiest and tastiest food there for a good price.
That day we also relaxed and went swimming at Manganari Beach which is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ios. We wanted to visit a place called “Never Bay” but unfortunately we didn’t have enough time. Both Never Bay and Flat Rock are hidden gems of Ios that not many tourists know about.
Day two and we visited Calilo Hotel. We spent the day there and took some photos because the location is absolutely stunning. In the evening of our second day we enjoyed dinner at Ios Club – Sunset Dining Bar. This spot offers amazing views where you can enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand.
On our last day we visited the churches of Panagia Gremiotissa and St. Irene. Both are beautiful places where you can take pictures. In the evening we had dinner at a Greek restaurant called Ithaka Restaurant. It was also very tasty and we would recommend that everyone try this place.
5 Best Things To Do in Ios
Ios has a reputation for being a party island in summer. There’s no doubt that this Greek Island has fantastic nightlife but we found that Ios offered a lot more. From traditional hilltop towns to gorgeous beaches – there’s so much to discover. Below are my top 5 recommendations.
1. Enjoy the Atmosphere, Food & Views of Ios Club
Ios Club was my favourite place in Ios. The atmosphere, food and views were fantastic. Located across the Chora of Ios, this bar is set on granite rocks and combines beautiful Cycladic architecture with the natural environment. Enjoy a cocktail and relax as the sun sinks into the ocean.
2. Go Swimming at Manganari Beach and Never Bay
Manganari Beach has to be the most picturesque beach of Ios. You can enjoy golden sand and crystal clear waters in a secluded environment as the beach is located away from Chora. This is also the beach where you can take a boat taxi to Never Bay – one of the best hidden gems of Ios!
3. Take Photos at the Stunning Church of St. Irene
The church of St. Irene otherwise known as Agia Irini is a Greek Orthodox church located in the south side of Yialos. The church was built in the 17th century and remains an important religious building for locals. Spend a couple of hours here taking photos and marvelling at the architecture.
4. Visit the Church of Panagia Gremiotissa
The church of Panagia Gremiotissa is perched on the top of a hill above Chora. This small church is dedicated to the saint protector of the island and its name translates to “Virgin Mary of the Steep Cliff”. You can see the blue dome, bell tower and white walls of the church from all parts of Chora.
5. Discover the Odysseas Elytis Amphitheatre
Odysseas Elytis is an open-air amphitheatre with a capacity of 1000 people. You can find this amphitheatre behind the windmills of Chora. Throughout summer many concerts and performances are held here. The Homeria festival is one of the biggest events which is held at Odysseas Elytis.
Staying at Gianemma Luxury Apartments
We enjoyed our stay at Gianemma Luxury Apartments. I recommend this place because it has an amazing infinity pool with sea views. The location is also perfect as it’s near the beach where you can find a lot of restaurants. Calilo Hotel is another great place to stay but it’s a little bit out from Chora.
Need to Know Before you Go
Ios is usually a party island and popular place for the youth. But it has so much more than just nightlife. You can explore tiny white washed houses, get lost down narrow alleys, discover picturesque hilltop villages and of course relax at the beautiful beaches and enjoy the gorgeous sunsets.
You might want to hire a quad bike when visiting Manganari Beach as it’s located 30 minutes from Chora. Apart from that, just enjoy the island! Make sure you eat out at Nostos Ios and enjoy a sunset at Ios Club. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this Greek Island just as much as I did.
