Chios map

The Archaeological Museum of Chios was founded in 1977 and it has more than 1200 square meters of exhibition space and it includes exhibits on the history of the island from ancient times until the Roman period. In 1987, the Museum was closed down because of construction problems and it was reopened in 1999.

The Cave of Agio Galas is one of the two caves that you can visit on Chios Island (the other one is that of Olympi). It is essentially made of two caves, one above the other. The lower one stretches over a large area and has an impressive stone adornment. The above one is shallow and the church of Agiogalousaina is built at its start.

Byzantine Museum of Chios was created in 1980 and is located close to the main city square (Vounaki square).

Even the building of the museum is of great interest, as It is a former Ottoman mosque.

The Castle of Chios, also known as "Frourio" (Fortress) is located north of the Chios city center. It is one of the main attractions of the island and an integral part of the city from both a geographical and a historical perspective. That is why it still consists of an inhabited area to this day, being a living part of Chios city.

Agiasmata village is located on the north part of Chios island and is known for its spa. The hydrotherapy facilities include the hot springs and some rooms to let.

Panagia Krina is a church dedicated to Virgin Mary and is located at central Chios, near Vavyli village.

It was built in the 12th century while a part was added in 18th century.

The cave of Olympi (also known as cave Sykia) is located on the South part of Chios island, near Olympi village and not far away from Pyrgi and Mesta villages. It was explored in 1985 by the Hellenic Speleological Society and it is open for public since 2003.

Lithi is one of the most well-known beaches of west Chios. It is located about 25 kilometers away from Chios city and near a village with the same name. It is a sandy beach with shallow, clean waters. It is perfect for sunbathing and beach games.

Karfas is the main beach of a settlement of Chios with the same name, located 6 km south of Chios city. The name probably comes from the Homeric word "karfaleos", which means dry. In reality, Karfas is full of life (not "dry" at all), as it is one of the most touristic places of the island.

Glari beach (seagulls beach) is located about 10 kilometers north of Chios city, between Vrontados and Pantoukios village. It is made of a small bay, where seagulls find shelter in the winter, hence its name.

The beach is sandy with light blue - green waters, because of a water spring that comes from the mountain into the sea.

Mavra Volia (Black Pebbles) is a very special beach unlike any other you have seen in the world. What makes it special are its pebbles: they are all coloured black because of a volcano explosion many years ago.

This beach, also known as Mavros Gyalos is located south-west, about 30 kms away from the city of Chios and is near Emporios village.

Komi beach is at the south-east part of the island, 35 km away from the city and only 4 km away from Kalamoti village. It is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches of Chios.

The beach is sandy with crystal-clear water. In addition, you can easily find umbrellas and sunbeds if you wish so. At the surrounding area, you may also find a lot of accommodation facilities, cafe and restaurants.

Tigani is one of the less-known beaches of Chios. It is located on the west coast of the island.

Driving from Chios city to Sidirounta village, a gravelled road to the left leads us here (there is a road sign so you can't miss it). "Tigani" in Greek means frying pan. The beach was named this way because of its unique shape.

Managros is one of the biggest beaches of Chios, with a length of 1,5 kilometers. It is located in the northwest part of the island, near Volissos village.

There are both pebbles and sand on this beach. The cold, crystal waters are the main feature of the seas of this part of the island.

Giosonas beach is located 5 kilometers away from Kardamyla village and near Nagos beach. It is a huge beach with smooth pebbles, wide open to the Aegean sea. The waters are clean, crystal and cold. The location is pretty quiet, with few visitors, even during the summer, making this an ideal destination for families or for those who prefer isolation.

Pyrgi is one the largest villages of south Chios, located 25 kilimeters away from the city. It is a castle-village, which still maintains its medieval character until our days.

Pyrgi (variation of the word "tower" in Greek) owes its name to its tall tower, around which the village was built.

Mesta is a medieval castle-village and one of the most beautiful "mastic-villages" (mastihohoria) of Chios. It is located at the south-west part of the island, 35 kms away from Chios city and it has been designated a listed monument. Thanks to its fortress-like architecture, untouched by the hands of time, it is considered one of the most impressive villages of Chios.

Viki is a small mountainous village in northern Chios, located 40 kilometers from the city. It is built on the northern side of the highest mountain of the island, Pelinnaio, at an altitude of 360 meters. It is about 2.5 km away from the sea.

Kalamoti is a village in south Chios. It is located 25 km away from the city of Chios and has a population of about 700 people.

The old, medieval village of Kalamoti took its form during the Genoese period (14th -16th century), after several smaller villages united. The new village was invisible from the sea and built like a fortress in order to defend against pirate invasions.

Kipouries is a small picturesque village of North Chios, located about 36 kilometers away from the city of Chios.

Kipouries is located near Pelinnaion mountain, the tallest mountain of Chios. This area is full of natural beauties like greenery hills and water springs.

Kardamyla is a village of northeast Chios, located 30 kilometers away from the city, of about 2000 people. It is built at the same spot as the ancient city Kardamyli, hence its name. This ancient city is mentioned by Thucydides (Greek historian).

Lagada is located in the northeast part of Chios island and 17 kilometers away from the city. Sitting amphitheatrically on a hillside, it is a village of about 2000 people. Most of them are sailors or fishermen.

Armolia is a village of south Chios located on a valley 22 kilometers away from the city of Chios. There are about 500 people currently living in the village. The nearest villages to Armolia are Kalamoti, Pyrgi and Vessa.

Anavatos is an impressive medieval village located at the center of Chios island. It is 20 kilometers away from the main city and is built on a sheer hill 400 meters high. The village is accessible from its north part only.

Sidirounta (also called Siderounta) is a village of north-west Chios, located 37 kilometers away from the city. It is built at the top of a cliff, so you can see the west coast of Chios island from the village.

Volissos village is located 40 kilometers away from the city of Chios. It is the biggest village of the north-west part of the island with 500 inhabitants.

Nea Moni ("New Monastery") is an 11th century monastery on the island of Chios that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located on the Provateio Oros Mt. in the island's interior, about 15 km from Chios town. It is well known for its mosaics, which, together with those at Daphni and Hosios Loukas, are among the finest examples of "Macedonian Renaissance" art in Greece.

Agia Fotini beach (or Agia Fotia, as local people call it) is on the South part of the island, 11 km from Chios city. The beach is pebbly, an ideal place for people who don't like sand. Water is cold, deep and crystal.

This place is fairly touristic, while on the beach you can find a beach-guard, umbrellas, seats and a few water sports. There are many rooms to let, cafes and restaurants near Agia Fotia beach, too.