As a destination with a ‘party island’ reputation, planning a trip to Ios Greece can feel a bit scary.
But as someone who has lived on the island for the past two summers and visited over 30 countries, I think Ios Greece is one of the safest and friendliest places I’ve been to.
The people
Ios is a small island in the Cycladic region of the Greek Islands with just over 2000 local residents but 300,000 tourists in summer.
With no airport, Ios is only reachable by ferry (or private helicopter if you’re rich) and the majority of tourists are between 18-35 from places like Australia, the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia.
And as most of the seasonal workers are also young and from these countries, it makes for an island full of happy travellers looking for a fun and carefree summer.
This makes the island one of the friendliest places I’ve been, everyone always seems up for a chat or ready to make new friends.
Getting there safely
To get to Ios, you will need to brave the Greek Island ferry system.
Several ferry companies run in the Aegean Sea but you will most likely be onboard a Blue Star Ferries or SeaJets.
With some ferry companies, you need to check in online and others require checking at the port office and getting a physical ticket.
Where you board the ferry will depend on which destinations you’d like to visit first and how long you want to spend at sea.
The quickest way to get to Ios is from Santorini – you can fly into Santorini airport and catch the ferry to Ios in about 1.5 hours.
If you’re worried about getting seasick, I recommend picking up a sea sickness tablet just in case.
Once you arrive in Ios, if you’ve got suitcases I would recommend either catching the bus or calling a Taxi to your accommodation.
The local Taxi number is +306977760570, otherwise, the local bus system in Ios is fairly easy to navigate.
Just walk to the bus stop and look at the timetable. In peak season they come every 10-20 minutes.
Crime rates
Ios has fairly low crime rates but as always you need to be careful with your belongings and stick together if you’ve had a few drinks.
Sadly there was an incident in Ios in 2023 where two young Irish boys lost their lives (you can read more about this here). Reports suggest there was no foul play involved but it is a big reminder to check on your mates and get help if you see anyone drunk or in a bad way.
Staying safe on a ‘party island’
As with any party destination, it’s super important to keep yours’ and your mates’ safety in mind.
In summer temperatures soar on the island, even at night time, so it’s really important to keep drinking water (especially if you’ve had one too many tequila shots).
With free pouring of alcohol and the local tradition of 7 shots and a singlet, getting very drunk is easy to do, so take it slow.
And if you’re worried about someone, have a chat to one of the workers, they are always really friendly and happy to help.
Safety at night
Most times I have felt safe walking around the island at night, but it’s always best to stick to the main areas and walk together if you can.
Drink spiking in Ios
There have been a handful of drink spiking incidents in the past two years so it is always best to play it safe and don’t leave your drink unattended or take drinks from strangers.
The staff are always on the lookout to keep everyone safe, so if you do see anyone acting a bit sus just let them know.
If you’re planning to drive an ATV or scooter
One of the most dangerous things to do on the island is drive, especially if you’ve been drinking! Just leave your scooter or ATV and pick it up in the morning.
Also WEAR A HELMET. Even if you think you’re a good driver it could save your life and the police will fine you if they catch the driver without one.
Travel insurance also does not cover you for any accident if you’ve been drinking!
Also don’t forget good old sun safety!
I’ve seen one too many tomatoes walking around the island after spending all day out in the sun. The sun might not be as strong as places like Australia but trust me it still burns after a few hours.
Especially if you’re out on a boat drinking for the day – take some sunscreen and drink as much water as you can.