Chios Island turned out to be one of the best summer decisions we made in recent years. And once we decided on the destination, we couldn’t hide our excitement about all the beautiful places, sights and beaches we wanted to visit.
Chios is a very big island, so we had to be prepared to decide what we could fit in just five days. So we limited ourselves to seeing the southern part of Chios, where the main attractions are, hoping to return to the island and experience some of the northern part of the island.
A few words about Chios island
Chios is the fifth largest island in Greece. It belongs to the North Aegean region and is located opposite Turkey and is connected by ferry to Cesme.
The town of Chios has a population of just over 27,000 according to the last census in 2021.
Unfortunately, we had very little time to explore the town of Chios. In the little free time we had before leaving the port for Piraeus, we thought we would focus on the old market and the castle of the city.
The castle of Chios turned out to be a very pleasant walk and is one of the most beautiful sights of the city. The main gate of the castle (Porta Maggiore) was built by the Venetians in 1694.
The castle of Chios Island is one of the few castles in Greece that is still inhabitable.
Some noteworthy attractions within the castle are the Hammam, the Justinian Palace and some buildings of architectural interest with beautiful colors and their characteristic sahnisia (balconies).
Chios Main Attractions
We didn’t have time to visit all the sights in South Chios, but we would like to give you a report before telling you about our personal experience of the places we visited.
The most famous sights are:
- volcanoes
- Mastichochoria (Armolia, Pyrgi, Mesta, Olympi, Kalamoti)
- Anavatos
- Kampos (plain) Chios Island
The famous mastic villages
Chios was known to me for its beautiful Mastichochoria. This name was given because of the production of mastic trees in this southern part of the island. Chios is the only place in the world where mastic trees give their resign.
Chios Island has an abundance of accommodations that can satisfy every visitor’s wish and you can find them here.
But Mastichochoria is known for its settlements, which are so picturesque and their architecture is not easily found in any other part of Greece.
Village of Pyrgi
The first village we chose to visit is Pyrgi, the most famous of the Mastichochoria and famous for the scratchings that decorate the houses of the Pyrgos and that cannot be found anywhere else.
Scratching is a special technique based on smearing black sand, painting it white and then scratching it to create the desired designs that can be seen on each building. These designs are usually geometric shapes. Either way, the result makes the village look like a painting.
We parked our car in the municipal parking lot and started walking around the settlement. We kept stopping and staring at the scratch plans of each house. Some had quite elaborate geometric designs, others had floral designs.
Book your stay at Pyrgi in Chios, at this link.
The most famous sights on the island are the Holy Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, built in 1964 and designed entirely in scratchboard. And the picturesque chapel of Taxiarchis (1680).
Mesta
One of the most beautiful villages of the island, Mesta, is located 35 km southwest of Chios Town. It is a medieval village, classified as a monument. The village looks like a huge fortress from the outside. This is due to its high stone houses, which are small and built close together, forming small arches.
Book your stay in Mesta, at this link.
But what should you try in Mesta? Definitely doughnuts at “Kanello” and souma (a kind of drink), which is produced by the distillation of figs and grapes.
We’d rather call it a castle-village, because when you enter it, you feel like you’ve made a big leap into the past. A special experience that every visitor to the island should not miss. We wandered through the narrow winding streets and discovered flower-filled courtyards.
Find the ideal accommodation for you in Mesta at this link.
Kalamoti
Kalamoti was once the administrative center of Mastichochoria. You can tell by its size. Its streets are wider and all paths lead to the central square, the “platsa” as the locals call it, where the village tower, the “Varvakas”, used to stand.
In this settlement, as in all Mastichochoria, we were impressed by the kindness and friendliness of the elderly residents.
The medieval part of the village has been declared a Historic-Artistic Monument, since it contains buildings of great historical importance. Here, too, the houses are connected by arches.
Kampos of Chios Island
But Chios is not only mastic trees. Those who come to Chios should not miss the part of Kampos. There is a part of the island that is covered with citrus plantations.
Behind every high stone fence and every impressive front door are the old mansions of Kampos and their orchards. Some of them have been converted into guesthouses, an experience we would love to experience.
But the only mansion worth visiting to get a taste of the Campos is the “Citrus Aroma of Memory” museum, which contains the history of the Campos and the people who worked to promote citrus and its producers. The building is a typical example of a local mansion.
In addition to the museum in the orchard, there is the owner’s villa, his orchard, in which we took a short walk, the infamous Cafe Perivoli, where you can relax with a cool beer and of course local juices, in an environment that reminds something of Tuscany. For the little ones there is also a small fenced area with domestic animals.
Read also about 13 places to visit in Lesvos Island on this link
Beaches in South Chios
We may have been prepared for the beautiful villages we would encounter, but definitely for us the big surprise of our vacation in South Chios was its beautiful beaches.
Megas Limnionas beach
The beach of Megas Limnionas is located within the settlement of Agia Ermioni. It is a quiet, sheltered beach with shallow, clear waters, suitable for families with small children. The beach consists of fine sand and pebbles.
Be sure to visit Veggera. A fantastic cocktail bar – restaurant, with a great view and a very sophisticated playground.
Above the beach there are cafes and taverns. Much of the beach is organized, but there is plenty of free space to set up your umbrella. If you have booked accommodation in this part of the island, it is a good choice as it is quieter than Aghios Fotini and Karfas.
We have found the ideal family accommodation for your vacation in Mega Limniona.
Mavra Volia Beach, Chios Island
I think we have all heard of Mavra Volia beach. After all, it is the most famous beach of the island and one of the most famous in our country. It is also considered to be the only beach of its kind in the world. The reason is of course its huge jet black volcanic pebbles that give the seabed its unique dark color.
You can combine your visit to the beach of Mavra Volia with a visit to Pyrgi.
The pebbles were once much larger than what we see today, we would better call them “pebbles”. Unfortunately, many people bought the stones for their homes and as a result they became scarce. This is why you will see a prohibition on the beach. It is also prosecuted.
Do you need information and tips for Ayvalik and Moschonisia?
Read our list on this link
Of course, this is why the seabed of this beach is so special. There is no organization on the beach, so you will need an umbrella. But there is a canteen for your basic needs.
Foki Beach Chios Island
If you follow the path to the right of Mavra Volia beach, you will find yourself at Foki beach. A huge coastline that is exactly the same as Mavra Volia and much less crowded. Just the thing for those who like to have a piece of beach all to themselves.
It is advisable to avoid visiting Foki and Mavra Volia when there are strong winds.
Komi Beach
Komi Beach has a blue flag. It is a huge beach with beautiful turquoise water and a large part of it has only fine sand. Most of it is organized, but there are places on the edges of the beach where there is plenty of room to set up your umbrella. It was one of our favorite beaches and we spent a good part of the day there.
Komi beach is a good choice for accommodation and is very close to the picturesque village of Kalamoti.
Agia Dynami Beach
The beach of Agia Dynami was my paradise. A small bay with fine sand, turquoise water and a crystal clear bottom. The beach is unorganized so you have to be prepared. Although there is natural shade, you usually have to get there early to get a spot.
You can combine the beach of Agia Dynami with a visit to Mesta or the village of Olympi.
The beach continues along a small path to a second creek, which is a bit of a hike, but less crowded than the first creek. The beach is breezy, but the waves are not disturbing.
Museum of Mastic of Chios
We believe that it is one of the must-see attractions. The Mastic Museum of Chios is one of the most beautiful museums we have visited in Greece. A wonderful building built on a hill full of mastic trees, in complete harmony with nature, we have to say that the people in charge have done an excellent job and we highly recommend it to young and old alike.
Entrance to the Mastic Museum costs 4€ for a regular ticket and 2€ for a reduced ticket. Admission is free for students and those under 18 years of age.
The history of mastic (or skinos as it is also called) unfolds before us through photographs, tools, models and machines that tell the story of the cultivation and production of mastic, as well as relevant films and videos about the influence of mastic in the commercial and economic development of the island.
Finally, we will walk carefully among the mastic trees in the museum grounds, enjoying the scent of the skins that waft from the trees like tears.
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