Day 10: Paros to Ios

I woke up bright and early, feeling well-rested and ready to take on a new island—this time, Ios! I’ll admit, I felt a bit of apprehension heading to this “party island.” It was part of my itinerary long before I knew its reputation as a nightlife hotspot, but hey, life’s all about trying new things, right? Part of me was excited to see if I’d enjoy somewhere a little outside my usual comfort zone.

After a leisurely breakfast at Livadia Hotel, I stayed in the restaurant sipping coffee, updating my blog notes, and sorting through photos to share on social media. With a 2:25 PM ferry, I had some time to kill and decided to keep it low-key rather than attempt sightseeing with all my luggage in tow. Just relaxing and people-watching by the harbour was a perfect plan.

By midday, I’d packed up and checked out, then made my way toward the ferry port. Looking back, I wished I’d booked an earlier ferry—the two-hour wait was hot, and even under shade at a nearby café, it felt a bit wasted. Still, I passed the time with my book and enjoyed watching the constant hustle of travellers and locals—Greek harbours are always buzzing, especially in summer.

Around 2:20, I strolled to the port to find no ferry in sight. I’d read mixed reviews about Seajets’ timing, so I began to get a bit nervous. But Champion Jet 2 eventually appeared, just 15 minutes behind schedule. The crossing itself was smooth, with a quick stop at Naxos, and by 4:15 PM, we were pulling into Ios harbour.

Champion Jet 2 arriving in Paros harbour.

My original plan was to take a taxi to the hotel—3 km doesn’t seem too far on a map, but I’d realized it was a hilly trek. I didn’t see any taxis when I got off, but luckily the bus stop was close by, and there was a route heading toward Mylopotas Beach soon. Perfect! A quick save of a few euros, too.

The bus didn’t drop me directly at Holidays Inn Ios, though, so I ended up hauling my suitcase up a steep road in the afternoon heat. Sweaty work, but still much better than walking from the port! After checking in, I immediately threw on swim trunks and jumped into the hotel pool—a perfect cool-off with a nice view down to the beach, which was buzzing with people.

The pool at Holidays Inn Ios.

Mylopotas Beach from my hotel balcony.

Keen to make the most of my time here, I decided to try meeting new people. I wandered down to the beach, walked its length, and eventually found myself at Far Out Village—a part of the Far Out Beach Club, with its pool, bar, and plenty of loungers. After grabbing a beer and some Dutch courage, I spotted two American girls chatting nearby. Feeling brave, I introduced myself, and they were super friendly! Anya and Erin had just arrived in Ios, too, and we hit it off right away. We agreed to meet up later that evening to explore Ios’s famous nightlife together.

Back at the hotel, I relaxed and then got ready for the night, feeling excited to head out with my new friends. We met at a beachside shop to stock up on drinks before heading back to Far Out. With a few ciders in hand, we spent the evening talking, laughing, and splitting a couple of pizzas before catching the bus into Ios town.

When we got there, the town was already packed, even though it was close to midnight! Ios town was exactly as I’d heard: narrow streets lined with buzzing bars, each one offering tempting deals like €5 for two cocktails or three Jäger bombs for €5. We wandered from place to place, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. Even after a fair share of drinks, I was still feeling good, so I’m convinced some were a bit watered down. Not that I minded—I wanted to enjoy the experience and remember it!

By the time we decided to head back, it was around 2:30 AM, and the cool night air made the walk much easier. The 2.5 km back to the hotel felt like a breeze with the excitement of the night still lingering. It was a totally different experience from my usual travel days, but I’m glad I gave Ios a chance—sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone really does bring the best stories!