Of all my experiences visiting a new Greek island, none have come close to the trepidation I felt the first time I set foot on Ios. Even now, seven years later, I still see online questions and articles that illustrate how misunderstood the island is, so I think it’s time to set the record straight.
How I ended up on Ios
Had I known of Ios’ reputation as a ‘party island’ before I booked my accommodation, I would never have visited. I imagine plenty of others have made the same decision. So, how did I end up there, and what was it actually like?
While planning my first island-hopping adventure in 2017, I began plotting a north-south route through the Cyclades, beginning in Andros, and then onto Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos and Paros. I wasn’t sure where to head after that, but Santorini seemed an obvious choice and was somewhere I’d never been. I’d already had the idea of finishing my trip in Crete, knowing I could fly directly back to the UK, so continuing south from Paros made sense.
As I started booking accommodation and refining my itinerary, I was looking at Google Maps and planning ferry routes. I noticed an island between Naxos and Santorini that I’d never heard of before: Ios. It must be a quiet place, I thought since it had never cropped up before despite my interest in the Greek islands. I saw that most ferries stopped there on the way to Santorini, so, rather spontaneously–and unusually for me–I booked a couple of nights, thinking it would be cool to add a lesser-known destination to my itinerary. I then booked a hotel in Santorini and a few nights in Crete; my itinerary was complete.
With several weeks to go before I jetted off, I returned to my travel plans intending to research things to see and do on the islands I was visiting. When it came time to look into Ios, I finally Googled the island and got a rather unpleasant surprise…
Some might tell you it is like Spring Break in Daytona Beach or Panama city or even Cancun but the reality is that those places are tame compared to Ios. The island of Ios is an all out international party of college age people that lasts from June until the end of August
Matt Barrett, greektravel.com
Articles like this immediately caught my attention. Was Ios some clubbing Mecca? Would it be overrun with drunken teens and 20-somethings, causing havoc day and night? I was 35–hardly ancient–but I’m no party animal and not particularly keen to be kept up all night by loud music and drunken crowds roaming the streets into the early hours. Had I made a colossal mistake? I’d only booked two nights to get a feel for the place–thinking I could always return for a longer stay if I wanted to–but even so, I was filled with apprehension that I would feel totally out of place and wind up having a miserable couple of days. I contemplated cancelling my accommodation, but something told me to stick with it and have the experience. Good or bad, at least it would be memorable.
The Reality of My First Time
Fast-forward to the trip itself. I’d had a blast on my first three islands, accompanied by a friend. I then ventured into the unknown on my first solo island-hopping experience: first Naxos, then Paros. Both were amazing, and I was lucky to make new friends as soon as I boarded the ferry from Mykonos. We met up several times and explored parts of both islands together. When the time came to board the Ios-bound ferry, all my anxiety returned, and a part of me began to dread what I would find when I got there. Could it really be as bad as I was imagining?
I barely remember the journey from the port to my accommodation on the hillside above Mylopotas Beach, filled with nervous apprehension. I’d taken the local bus and recall it being fairly full, with a good majority of people who seemed much younger than me. Yet, there was no disruptive behaviour, and I’d seen a few older couples and families, too. Reluctant to unpack my case for a two-night stay, there was nothing else to do but venture outside and see what Ios had in store for me. It was time to take the plunge…
Turning the corner onto the road that backs onto Mylopotas Beach, I was stunned by how vast it was. The beach is huge. Better still, it wasn’t overrun with crowds of people and I couldn’t hear any loud music, either. I started to feel an uplifting sense of opportunity. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking maybe Ios wasn’t just a party paradise, after all.
I ventured onto the wide, soft sand and found tons of space just waiting for someone to throw down a towel and bask in the glorious sunshine. That person was me. I spent a blissful hour soaking up the golden rays, then figured I would try my luck with the sea. Maybe that would be just as good? The water was cool and refreshing as I waded in, washing away the sand from my sun-drenched legs. It was a bit wavy and got deep quite quickly–not ideal, but hardly a problem for a lifelong swimmer–I was soon gliding out into the bay, my anxiety washing away, replaced by a thrilling sense of optimism that the next 48 hours might not be so bad, after all.
When, two days later, I boarded my next ferry bound for Santorini, I took time to reflect on my Ios awakening: I’d made friends within hours of my arrival (on the very trip to the beach described above), been out for some lively-yet-civilised drinking in Chora, hired a quad bike for the first time, visited Homer’s Tomb, eaten some great food and soaked up a huge amount of Greek sun. What an experience it had been. I couldn’t believe I’d been so apprehensive, my joy mixed with frustration that the island had a reputation that seemed wholly undeserved.
Ios Nightlife
For those who’ve got this far and are considering visiting Ios because of the nightlife/party atmosphere, let me be clear: you can have a wild time here. Far Out Beach Club is an excellent venue for daytime/evening entertainment, with many notable guest DJs now visiting the venue over the summer season. Chora comes alive at nighttime, mainly after 11pm-midnight, with lively bars and livelier clubs that keep the fun going until daybreak. It won’t disappoint if that’s what you want.
How do I know this? Since my first visit in 2017, I’ve returned four more times, each visit lasting longer than the one before. In 2023, I spent ten nights on the island and didn’t regret a single second (okay, I got sunstroke, so that’s not entirely true). I’ve recently returned from another week-long stay in July 2024. It really does grow on you in a big way.
The positive experience I had on my first visit left a huge impression on me, maybe because I’d expected so little from the island. As a result, it connected with me in a very emotional way, and I love returning and feeling that same sense of anticipation mixed with joy and tranquillity that I only get from my favourite islands.
Reputation Meets Reality
If it’s not obvious by now, my point is that Ios is often sold as one thing when it’s so much more. The nightlife is certainly compelling and can easily be the only reason you want to visit, but discounting the island because you don’t like to party would be a huge mistake. For the most part, it’s a very traditional and idyllic destination, and the nightlife is a separate thing you can opt in or out of, depending on your preferences.
Writing Ios off because you’ve heard it’s all about the nightlife would be overlooking a destination that has so much more to offer. Some of the best beaches in the Cyclades are here: Mylopotas, Psathi, Agia Theodoti, and Magganari, to name just a few. The Chora is picturesque, with glorious sunset views from the churches at the summit, and the harbour area is scenic and relaxed. Admittedly, there’s not an abundance of sightseeing opportunities or activities to entertain you, but as a place to relax, enjoy some great food and immerse yourself in the Greek atmosphere, it’s really hard to beat.
So, what are you waiting for?
