A Hidden Gem In The Greek Islands

In order to avoid the heavy crowds and high prices, on our trip to the Greek Islands we decided to pick Ios, Greece. as we thought it may be less crowded. This was definitely true, and although the island may not be as developed as Mykonos or Santorini, there are definitely more ways to get a personal experience. 

The overall island has a great downtown scene with lots of restaurants and shops in a tight knit area. Our Airbnb was also on the top of a hill and provided some great views of the island. We were also walking distance to a few beaches which made getting around very easy. 

Ferry ride to the island

Getting to IOS from Athens is generally pretty easy. Unfortunately, the ferry ride is pretty long and makes at least 4-5 stops before you reach your final destination. Considering the boat went to other popular islands like Mykonos, our ship was massive. 

The overall ferry experience is better than what I was expecting. It’s generally pretty comfortable unless you’re prone to seasickness like me. The waves can get pretty choppy which made our journey even longer. I was also hoping there would be a way to get fresh air while on the boat, but the entire seating area is inside. 

After about 4.5 hours, the boat finally arrived in IOS. As they were very behind schedule, the crew tried to get everyone off the ship as fast as possible. This can lead to a very hectic exit for many passengers. As soon as you’re off the boat safely, there is a little town area to relax and wait for your transportation to arrive. 

Hiking to a Remote Beach

Since IOS is not the most popular island for tourists, there are plenty of beaches that are generally empty. The beach we chose required a decent hike down to the water. Once we got there, there couldn’t have been more than 15 people in the area. This made for a pretty quiet beach experience if you’re willing to make the hike. 

Swedish Midsummer

On our last day in Ios, we were lucky enough to run into our neighbor who lived right next door to the air bnb we were staying in. He let us know about this celebration called Swedish Midsummer. Apparently, it’s a celebration of the longest day of the year which happens to land on June 20th or 21st. 

On this day, the bars in Ios open around 9am and everybody begins celebrating early in the morning. Patrons come decked out in blue and yellow clothing in order to represent Sweden. Many people who were there weren’t Swedish but still dressed for the occasion. Later in the afternoon, many people will all walk 1.5 miles down to the beach where the celebration is held. 

Travel to Ios

If you’re looking to avoid some crowds and save some money on your trip to the Greek Islands, you may want to consider Ios for a unique island experience.