Chios Cooking Lessons
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Chios Castle
If you have some time to spare in Chios, check out the town's old historic castle located right next to the town's port. The castle walls encircle a tiny village as well as a restored Ottoman era bath house and an abandoned mosque.
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- addressCastle of Chios, Chios
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Yacht Tours
A number of companies offer all-day yacht tours around Chios and to neighboring islands - an experience guaranteed to leave visitors with lasting impressions. Most tours include a BBQ lunch on board and stops for swimming in the open sea and/or lesser known, secluded beaches.
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Citrus Estate
Citrus reigns king here in the heart of Kambos, a picturesque area south of Chios Town. A tiny citrus plantation and museum devoted to the sour fruit will give you an insight into its processing stages, and the adjacent gift shop provides an opportunity to stock up on some unique citrusy souvenirs.
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Byzantine Museum
The most interesting aspect of this museum is the building itself - a mosque with the only intact minaret in the Aegean Islands. The museum contains a clutter of Hellenistic statuary, Roman slabs and a collection of Turkish, Jewish and Armenian tombstones that hint at the island’s multi-ethnic past.
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Nea Moni
"New Monastery" is a misnomer – this imposing religious institution was founded in the 11th century by the Byzantine Emperor Constanine IX Monomachos. It is, perhaps, the finest religious building in the Aegean islands, with mosaics that date back to the golden age of Byzantine religious art.
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Kambos
Inland from the town lies the fertile plain of Kambos, an area of olive groves, citrus orchards, almond trees and patchwork fields divided by stone walls and country lanes. Under the Giustiniani, this rich hinterland was the domain of wealthy Genoese landowners and many of their substantial stone mansions can still be seen – some have been turned into holiday homes by wealthy Athenians, while a few have been converted into comfortable guesthouses.
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The Mastic Villages
Further inland, in the southern part of the island, lie the so-called masticochoria (mastic villages). These well-preserved, fortified villages date from the 14th-16th centuries and were centres for the cultivation of mastic. Mastic is the sweet-tasting gum of the lentisk bush, which was exported all over the Mediterranean – and the area still produces around 300 tonnes of mastic every year. The most picturesque villages are Pyrgi, with its houses decorated in black and white geometric patterns called xysta Mesta, where towers and walls surround a baffling labyrinth of village streets as well as Olympoi and Vessa are all a worth a visit.
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Anavatos
This ghostly but picturesque hill village has been abandoned since 1822, when its 400 inhabitants chose to throw themselves from its 300 meter high cliff rather than fall into Turkish hands during the genocide following the revolt against Ottoman rule.
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Inousses (Oinousses)
This tiny island cluster in the narrow strait between Chios and Turkey is said to be one of the wealthiest spots in Greece – several millionaire ship owners have their roots and family homes here. They prize their peace and quiet, so the islands are pleasantly unspoiled and there are good (but tiny) beaches next to the main island's small port village. There is also a Maritime Museum which celebrates the island’s seafaring traditions.
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Trips to Samos and Mytilini
There are several ferries and (in summer) hydrofoils between Chios and the neighbouring islands of Samos and Mytilini. Try the local Muscat wine in the former and ouzo in the latter for an authentic island taste.
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Medieval City of Mesta
The tiny castle village of Mesta dates back to the Byzantine period, when its thick city walls protected residents from marauder attacks. Today this unique historical monument welcomes visitors and invites you to taste its delectable local wine, “Mestousiko”.
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Pyrgi
This tiny village is known for the intricate black and white geometric patterns which adorn its building's facades. A true piece of folk art, Pyrgi is a Chios must-see for amateur photographers and all those who appreciate beauty.
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Vroulidia
Tucked away in a secluded location, this tiny bay is a hidden gem on the island of Chios. The pristine turquoise waters and idyllic landscape of the untamed nature are a hidden gem for those seeking a few hours of peaceful bliss. The beach itself is mostly sandy with a few pebbles mixed in.
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Olympi
Nowhere else on the island is the scenery more reminiscent of the middle ages than in the tiny village of Olympi, where many of the narrow windy streets aren't lit up at night, which helps create an eerie medieval feel. Make sure to check out the nearby caves as well.
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Archaeological Museum
Even if archaeology doesn't particularly excite you, this Chios museum certainly will - the skillfully arranged exposition tells a fascinating story of the island's glory days and boasts a striking collection of ancient jewelry. Exhibits date back to the 8th and 9th centuries.
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Polychoros Agio Galas
Tucked away in the northwestern part of the island (about 60 km from Chios town) is a tiny mountain village of Agio Galas. Take a tour of the cave and visit the local church, and don't forget to ask about the story behind the place's name (Agio Galas means "Holy milk").
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Chios Beer Microbrewery
Tucked away in one of the back roads, this off-the-beaten path sight is definitely worth a visit - especially if you're a beer-lover. There are no organised tours, but the brewers are extremely friendly and will most probably offer you a sample or two of the wonderful Chios beer.
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