Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Ios?

Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Ios?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Ios, Greece? Most people spend one to three days in Ios during their visit. After all, the historical island will let you swim at the beach, take advantage of the local nightlife, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and admire the wonderful scenery.

Ios is a Cycladic Island that is famous as one of the most well known party islands in Greece. The reputation is well earned with a party-hard atmosphere centered mostly around the town of Chora. The island also has beautiful sandy beaches and impressive archeological ruins. While many people visit the island as a day trip from Santorini, there's plenty to explore if you stay for a couple of days as well.

Do you have one or two weeks to visit Ios? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one week enough time in Ios?

One week is more than enough for an in-depth trip to Ios, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Swim at the beach, take advantage of the local nightlife, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and admire the wonderful scenery on your own schedule. Then, take some boat trips or day tours around the surrounding area.

How to spend a week in Ios

The beautiful beaches await you in Ios, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The island has beautiful sandy beaches that range from family-friendly to party hard. There are popular and more developed beaches near Chora like Koumbara and Mylopotas as well as more relaxing beaches a little more removed like Kalamos and Manganari. Because of their striking beauty, the beaches around the island have been featured in a few films.

This island is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. This is one of the quintessential party islands in Greece. Many young backpackers come here just to party, particularly during the summer months. You'll find many parties start around midnight or later and carry on well into the morning. Most of the clubs and bars are around the main square and nearby streets in Chora, but there are also clubs spread throughout the town. Outside of town, Mylopotas Beach is another popular party area.

Public transit in Ios is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the island quite easily. There are public buses that travel to most of the tourist sights around the island including several of the more remote beaches like Manganari and Agia Theodoti.

Perhaps the most famous place in Ios is Skarkos Archeological Site, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this island, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. Most of the island's restaurants are found in the port area or in the town of Chora, but you'll also find several options near Mylopotas Beach. Most restaurants offer typical Greek dishes, but they often have a local twist. You'll often find local cheeses or a slightly different take on an old favorite. Popular ingredients include cheese, yogurt, fish, olives, honey, olive oil, and grains. Common meats include lamb, beef, and even rabbit, but seafood is obviously popular as well.

The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. There are some nice snorkeling and diving areas around the island as well as vendors who organize snorkeling and dive trips.

Ios is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. While most people think of partying when they first think of Ios, the island's unique beauty is also a major draw for tourists.

This island offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. If you can pull yourself away from the beaches or parties, there are a number of archaeological and historic sights around the island. Churches like Panayia Gremiotissa Church and Evangelisimos Cathedral are worth visiting. Other attractions include Odysseas Elytis Theatre, Homer’s Tomb, and Skarkos Hill.

Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.

Known for it's hiking, Ios sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The island has a barren and rocky landscape that offers spectacular views. Many of the hikes are quite challenging, but there are a few options for beginners as well. Many also pass by the spectacular ruins around the island.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Ios.

Shopping in Ios is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are a number of local souvenirs that you can pick up. Many visitors prefer to take home unique items such as a tin of olives or olive oil. Jewelry, honey, and local ceramics also make good gifts.

After you've explored most of Ios, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

Is 2 weeks enough time in Ios?

Two weeks is more than enough time to see everything that Ios has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend one to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the beaches, the nightlife, the cuisine, and the beautiful scenery at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take in a boat trip or day trip if you're looking to explore further around the island.

Ios, Greece

How to spend 2 weeks in Ios

Having 2 weeks in Ios will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.

With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Ios, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Ios. Plenty of amazing options are available.

Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.