If you’re heading to Ios this summer (or thinking about it), you are in for a treat! There are so many things to do on this tiny Greek Island.
From boat tours and exploring secluded beaches to incredible sunsets and wild parties all night long, there really is something for everyone.
After spending 2 summers living on the island, these are my top 5 must-do activities while your on the island.
My top tip: don’t pack your schedule too full. You’ll definitely want some time to chill by the beach or pool and probably nurse a cracking hangover.
1. Boat tour
If your idea of a perfect day is cruising through crystal-blue water, beer in hand, tunes pumping, jumping off rocks and snorkelling through secret caves – you need to put an Ios boat tour at the top of your list.
How to book a boat tour in Ios?
My favourite boat tour is with Meltemi Watersports. You can choose either the:
- Speedboat adventure – swim through underwater caves, snorkel to a shipwreck and visit a few deserted beaches. It is a 2.5 to 3 hour tour and in 2023 cost 49 Euros. It also includes the snorkelling masks and a sandwich on the beach.
- Best of beaches – Visit 7 gorgeous locations around the island including my favourites Tripiti and Never Bay, with 3 swim stops included. The tour takes 4 hours and costs 59 Euros. It also includes the snorkelling masks and a sandwich on the beach.
The boats also come with speakers and you can BYO drinks and food (they even provide an esky but don’t forget ice if you need it).
You can either book a spot on a boat (or multiple if you’re with friends). Or if you got 10 friends you can book out a private boat all together. You can either book online here https://meltemiwatersports.com/ or head to their office (‘the shack’) outside Far Out and do it in person.
2. Partying!
What would an article on things to do in Ios be without mentioning partying? This little island has so much fun to offer and I am still not bored of visiting the same crazy bars after 2 years.
My top partying tip
The best way to party in Ios is to go bar hopping! Head out around 10 or 11pm after dinner (I know, things go LATE around here), and check out some of the earlier bars like Astra, Lost Boys, Lotus or Fun Pub.
Then once you’ve had cheeky few pre-drinks head to the main strip of bars and take your pick. If a venue is really busy or really quiet, don’t worry, just come back a bit later.
Check out my article here to read about the top 10 best bars to visit on the island and when.
Looking for a quieter night out?
If you are still looking to have some fun but not quite ready to take on the likes of Pash and Traffic bar, head down to Harmony.
Every night in summer (besides Mondays when they close) they have live music and then a DJ ending around 12-1am.
It’s the perfect option for those who still want to dance but stay away from the crazy crowds – make sure you try their amazing frozen daiquiri too.
3. Hire an ATV and go exploring
As an island that is only 18km long and 10km wide, Ios Greece is the perfect destination for exploring at your own pace.
Despite its size, there are many secluded beaches, viewpoints and even historical sights to see.
There is only one main road around Ios so it’s easy to follow and you shouldn’t get lost. Google maps also works for most of these destinations except Never Bay.
1. Never Bay
This gorgeous cove was affectionately named by the original owners of Lost Boys bar, and it stuck!
Once you get to the top you will need to climb down some pretty steep rocks, so wear decent shoes and go slow.
But TRUST ME, the views are unmatched, it is well worth the effort.
How do I get to Never Bay?
Watch the video below for instructions on how to find Never Bay. If you are in a car you will need to leave it at the bottom of the first hill – scooters and ATVs can go up but drive carefully! It’s very rocky.
@jetsetting_jacki Replying to @miaross 📍Never Bay - And don’t forget to pack your goggles!! The water here is crystal clear and perfect for snorkelling☀️🏝️🇬🇷 #iosgreece #greecetiktok #greecetravel #greecetiktokers #greekislands #greekisland #greekislandsummer #iosisland #mykonos #santoroni ♬ original sound - Jetsetting Jacki | 🌎📍✈️
2. Manganari beach
Besides the three main areas of Ios (the port, Chora and Mylopotas), the only other smaller town is Manganari. The beach is much quieter than Mylopotas but it still has stunning views and crystal-clear waters.
In peak season you can even try some water-sports like tubing or paddle boarding.
If you’re hungry, Manganari beach also has two small cafes to choose from. As the story goes, two brothers originally opened one cafe here, had a fight and ended up creating two competing businesses (up to you if you believe it).
3. Psathi beach
If you’re feeling hungry after all your exploring I would recommend stopping at Psathi. The Greek Taverna here serves up incredible traditional Greek cuisine – I love the fava dip and the platters are perfect for sharing.
There is also a stunning secluded beach if you want to go for a dip.
4. Homer's Tomb
If you want to learn a bit more about the history of Ios you can stop off at the Tomb of Homer. It is located near Plakatos beach in the north of the island.
There are several stories about the origins of Homer and if he is actually buried there (you can read more about these here https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/ios/sightseeing/ios-homer-tomb/)
It is about a 300m cliffside walk to the top of the hill with some stunning views across the Mediterranean – so regardless of your love of history I think it’s worth a stop.
5. Ios Cheese Factory
The Ios Cheese factory is called ‘Diaseli Ios Traditional Cheesery’ and you can either do the tasting of 8 different cheeses paired with wine, or the 30-minute tour. Check out their website here https://www.diaseli.com/en/
Look out for the goat signs on the way to Manganari and you’ll find it! It is about 10-15 minutes by quad bike from Chora.
4. Watch the sunset from the top church
If you’re looking for something free to do in Ios, catching a sunset from the top church is a must!
I’ve seen quite a few sunsets across the world, but there is something extra special about this one. Getting to the top can be quite confusing so make sure you watch my step-by-step instruction video here first.
@jetsetting_jacki This is how to get to the number 1 sunset spot in Ios Greece! 🌅 There’s quite a few ways to get there from the village, you just need to go up and then head left. There’s also a couple of signs too, or just look out for other people and follow along 😂 #europesummer #iosgreece #europetravel #greekislands #workingholiday #iosisland #europetraveltips ♬ original sound - Jetsetting Jacki | 🌎📍✈️
All roads lead to Rome however on this tiny island, so if you keep following the windy streets up, you should find your way. Or just ask a local!
I love to order some takeaway, grab a bevy and head up for a cheap and cheerful dinner.
5. Go to Pathos Club for sunset
After going to Pathos Club once, my friend said to me “is this where they do the human sacrifices?” Now fortunately that isn’t true lol but spending the afternoon watching the sunset at Pathos is a once in a lifetime experience.
At the exact moment the sun dips below the horizon, the sunset song starts and it really does feel like some weird kind of worship.
Hot tip
If you’ve got a couple of friends I recommend booking a table with a bottle of alcohol. You can only book if you order a bottle and it works out around 60 Euro per person with mixers.
Otherwise you can just turn up and sit down by the pool. Sunset is generally between 5:45pm and 6:30pm so I suggest arriving around 4:30 or 5:00pm to make the most of the afternoon.
It turns into a bit of a party afterwards with DJ and we usually head back into the village to go out at 10pm.