Chios Island is full of beautiful landscapes and offers over 70 beaches, so you can find a coastline that suits your taste. Venture inland to wander the winding paths of the villages of Pyrgi and Mesta, known for their unique medieval architecture. In the same area, visit the famous mastic groves and learn more about the production of this unique Chian juice.
You also have to see the UNESCO-recognized monastery and its rich history dating back to the Neolithic period 8,000 years ago, as well as other monuments.
The dramatic changes in the landscape to the north and the well-preserved architectural monuments of Kampos and Mastiha villages to the south make Chios a hidden treasure of the Aegean, waiting to be discovered.
Location:
Chios is an island located 5 miles (8 km) off the west coast of Turkey in the Aegean Sea, North Aegean Sea, eastern Greece. It is crossed by mountains in a north-south direction, topped by Mount Pelinaíon. Chios is a small port on the east coast.
Best Beaches of Chios:
Chios is surrounded by a stunning collection of beaches, each offering its own unique beauty. Mavra Volia is a spectacular beach known for its striking black pebbles and deep blue waters, the result of ancient volcanic activity. Didima Beach unlike the more popular stretches of sand, is characterised by two coves separated by a natural rock formation.
Vroulidia Beach offers a secluded haven, reached by a steep path. The journey there is well worth it, as visitors are often rewarded with a private beach surrounded by steep cliffs and crystal clear waters.
Agia Dynami situated on the southern coast, this small cove is sheltered by towering rock formations, offering a secluded place to relax and a favourite spot for snorkelers, who are drawn to its clear, fish-filled waters.
The beaches of Mastic Island offer a new scene, a different mood and a fresh perspective on the island’s boundless beauty every time you visit. Whether you’re looking for the comfort of a sun lounger or the thrill of a secluded swim, the beaches of Chios promise a refreshing escape into nature.
Capital:
Chios Town
Chios Town, also known as Chora or sometimes Kastro (Κάστρο), is the capital of Chios in Greece and the main city on the island. There are many interesting sites and monuments, as well as a beautiful port with restaurants and cafes that are bustling day and night. Places to visit:
- Turkish Baths at Chios Castle
- Chios Castle
- Chios Microbrewery
- Koraes Library
- Byzantine Museum
- Bairakli Mosque
- Giustiniani Museum
- Mastihashop
Interesting Village Chios:
Pyrgi
Pyrgi (“painted village”) is one of the most beautiful villages in Chios, located 24 km west of the main town. Pyrgi is home to over 1,200 inhabitants, most of whom are engaged in mastic production and agriculture.
Pyrgi is a truly impressive and picturesque place. The facades of its buildings are decorated with grey and white geometric shapes, which is an influence of the years of Frankish rule on the island.
Sightseeing:
Windmills
In Tampakika, an old industrial area north of the city, there are four carefully restored 19th century windmills. 10 meters high, they served local tanneries. The sunset adds charm to the windmill and is a great shot for souvenir photos from the island of Chios.
Castle of Chios
The Castle of Chios is located north of the Chios city center. It is one of the main attractions of the island. The current state of the Castle is the result of many reinforcements, repairs, but also demolitions and natural disasters. While the original structure was Byzantine (9th-10th century), the current castle bares more resemblance to the fortress of the Genoese period (14th-16th century).
Turkish Bath in the Castle of Chios
The bath is located at the confliction of the sea walls of the Castle with the land walls. It dates back to the 18th century. It was a public building that was open at various times of the day to accommodate Muslim male and female residents of the Castle.
It is part of a noble institution that also included – apart from the bathhouse – a mosque with its cemetery. It is the Castle’s largest hammam, standing out for its significant volume. The building covers a surface of 365 square meters and consists of ten halls.
Nea Moni
Nea Moni is located 15 km from Chora. The monasteries were built in a beautiful green valley, mostly surrounded by pine trees. It is one of the most important monuments of Byzantine architecture in Greece. The temple was founded in the 11th century by Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos.
The building was built on the site of the discovery of the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. And its interior mosaics are among the most magnificent examples of “Macedonian Renaissance” art in Greece. It was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990.
Chios Mastic Museum
The Museum of Chios Mastic presents the cultivation, industrialisation and commercial exploitation of the mastic gum. It develops a symbiotic relationship with the sensitive gumtree landscape in which it sits.
The building restores the landscape’s continuity, by adapting to the scale, colours and materiality of the gumtrees and the stone terraces.
