Aerial view of a small building with a red roof on a rocky peninsula surrounded by clear greenish-blue water.

Discover Chios

A thoughtful guide to the island’s best places, local flavors, and quiet corners, all within easy reach of your suite.

Explore at Your Own Pace

Chios moves between extremes without trying. Medieval fortress villages give way to citrus estates planted by Genoese merchants. Black volcanic beaches sit minutes from white-sand coves. History runs deep here, but the pace stays slow. We have mapped the places worth your time and the details that make exploring easier.
Sunny stone courtyard with arched doorways, wooden beams, green chairs, and potted plants under a clear blue sky.

WELCOME TO CHIOS

Chios by the Numbers

An Island Shaped by Scale, History & Life

Beyond its atmosphere and traditions, Chios is an island of remarkable depth — defined by its landscapes, heritage, and the people who continue to shape it every day.
51,000
Permanent Residents
6,000
Years of History
842 Km²
5th Largest Greek island
24 Fortified
Mastichochoria Settlements
60+
Beaches and Coves
Coastal town with white buildings and red roofs nestled against forested hills by clear blue water under a bright sky.
Unlike islands that exist solely for the summer season, Chios is a living, breathing community that thrives year-round. With 51,000 permanent residents, the island maintains a steady heartbeat of authentic Greek life, ensuring that whether you visit in July or January, you will find vibrant tavernas, open markets, and a genuine sense of belonging that seasonal tourist hubs simply cannot replicate.
Ruins of an ancient stone fortress built on a rocky hill under a clear blue sky.
From Neolithic settlements to its legendary status as the home of Homer, Chios is an island shaped by six millennia of civilization. Every corner tells a story—be it through the Byzantine splendor of Nea Moni (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Genoese influence in the Kampos mansions, or the resilient spirit of the medieval Castle of Chios just steps from your suite.
Clear blue bay with people swimming, boats anchored, and a rocky shoreline with sparse vegetation.
Scale provides the luxury of variety. As the 5th largest island in Greece, Chios offers a remarkably diverse landscape that ranges from the rugged, pine-covered mountains of the north to the aromatic citrus groves and mastic forests of the south. Here, you are never crowded; there is always a new valley to explore or a distant horizon to discover.
Narrow cobblestone alleyway between rustic stone buildings with a black door and wooden trash bin.
The southern part of the island is home to the medieval "Mastic Villages," a network of 24 fortified settlements built to protect the world's only source of Chios Mastic. Villages like Mesta and Pyrgi, with its intricate "Xysta" etched facades, remain architectural masterpieces where time stands still—offering a window into a heritage that has remained unchanged for centuries.
Clear blue sea bordered by rocky cliffs with sparse vegetation and a tree trunk in the foreground.
Whether you seek the dramatic volcanic black stones of Mavra Volia or the Caribbean-like white sands of Elinda, Chios offers over 60 distinct coastal escapes. Because the island remains a well-kept secret among discerning travelers, you can still find the ultimate luxury: a pristine cove to call your own for the afternoon.
Island Insights

The real Chios, from people who live here

We share what locals know. Find the best sunset spot on the West Coast. Discover the fishing hamlet where octopus is still line-caught. Wade into the beach with water so clear you can count stones at depth.
A Personal Guide To Chios Beaches
read guide
A Walk Within the Castles of Chios
read guide
A Journey Through the Sacred Monasteries of Chios
read guide
A Personal Guide of Gastronomic Corners in Chiose
read guide
The Tears of Chios: A Guide to the Mastic Legacy
read guide
Chios’s Submerged Secrets and Natural Wellness
read guide
Chios’s Explosive Traditions and Customs
read guide
An Island-Hopping Guide to Oinousses and Psara
read guide
Kampos Chios, The Fragrant Heartland
read guide
Chios Gallery

Visual Walkthrough

Four traditional stone windmills with conical roofs by the water, with buildings and mountains in the background.
Clear blue sea water flowing between rocky cliffs under a partly cloudy sky.
Aerial view of a clear turquoise coastal bay with rocky shoreline and scattered green shrubs.
A small white chapel with a tiled roof on a rocky islet connected by a narrow walkway surrounded by blue sea.
Red bench on a worn stone pier with a wave splashing against it under a cloudy sky at the sea.
Rocky hillside overlooking a blue bay with a winding road along the mountains and green vegetation near the shoreline.
Close-up of a person riding a pink and white bicycle on a paved road beside a stone wall.
Ancient stone fortress walls with rounded towers surrounded by green lawns and flowering shrubs under a blue sky.
White plate with several slices of grilled or roasted cheese garnished with herbs and a white spoon containing a red chutney or sauce.
Modern stone building with wooden beams and large windows illuminated at dusk, with twisted olive trees in the foreground.
Our Location

At the Center of Everything. Including Silence.

We chose this corner of Chios Town for its rare balance. From your doorstep, you are a short, five-minute stroll from the Archaeological Museum and the stone walls of the Castle. Yet, the moment you cross our threshold, the city noise disappears, leaving you with the stillness of a true sanctuary
The Harbor & Port
‍A 4-minute walk (300m) to the island's pulse
Aplotarias Street
‍10 minutes to the town’s vibrant shopping heart
Chios National Airport
‍A convenient 5-minute drive (1.9km)