The Northeastern Aegean Islands are relatively large in size, independent and rich history, attractions and services offered. Each island has its own special characteristics. As the islands lie close to each other, many tourists take the opportunity to visit on holiday more than one island. However, their distance from mainland Greece and the existence of many more famous islands (such as Mykonos, Rhodes, Corfu - just to name a few) means that relatively few foreigners have discovered these islands, including Chios . The island of Chios has alothei from international tourism and visitors feel more like guests among locals. Flooded with a unique atmosphere, environment and culture, the island of Chios will reward those looking for holidays in the Aegean with a particular dimension. A few tips:
- Do not expect to find in Chios island with a small white houses, plenty of tourist shops or large luxury hotels.
- Most visitors during the summer period are Greek diaspora who return every year on the island for their holidays. Chios is the place to holiday if:
- Want to visit a place with authentic local culture
- Want to enjoy unique sights and attractions
- Would you like to swim in the many beautiful beaches, clean and without excessive crowds
- Want to visit a place where mass tourism has not yet conquered and corrupt
- Want to stay in a place that offers complete travel services but also offers limitless opportunities to those who wish to move independently. General:
- The island is safe and offers great variety and is therefore suitable for families with young children, and for individual or group vacations.
- Due to its large size, a car or a motorcycle up to you can visit some places where it reaches the local transportation and excursions.
- There are organized camping areas, but camping is not permitted outside of these areas and therefore the room rental is required. Hotels and apartments are close to all the villages and most attractions. Of course, the distances are not too large (max. 60 km) and therefore visiting every corner of the island can be done by a single point.
- Communication to and from the island is good and one can easily visit the island and other islands. Turkey is just one hour
CHIOS BEACHES
Chios offers a great variety of beaches, ranging from cosmopolitan sandy beaches which offer full services, to isolated lagoons where one can enjoy the primitive beauty of the Aegean sea and sun. Some of the most popular beaches are located near the city of Chios, while some others are more distant. Crowded and popular or distant and little-known, all beaches in Chios have crystal clear water and clean sand or pebble stones.
The sandy beach of Karfas
Located a few kilometers south of the city, this is perhaps the most popular beach on the island. It offers full services and a wide range of water sports since it is next to an area where some of the biggest hotels of the islands are built. Restaurants, bars, shops, hotels and rooms, car rentals are within walk-distance from the beach. The water is very shallow and warm in most of the area of Karfas Bay, and therefore the beach is especially suitable for families with little children. During the high-season time in the mid-summer, the beach can sometimes get a little bit too overcrowded, since it is popular among both locales and tourists.
The south-east beaches
Further from Megas Limnionas to the south are the beaches of Agia Fotia and Agios Aimilianos, near the village of Kallimasia. The beach of Agia Fotia has white pebbles and it is larger and more popular than Agios Aimilianos. It also has rooms, restaurants, bars and various services while Agios Aimilianos is more quite. The beach of Komi is a large sandy beach about 25 kms away from the city. Rooms, restaurants and bars are also found in Komi. Best way to get to these beaches is by the provincial (green) buses, by taking a taxi or by renting a vehicle.
The beach of Emborios
A unique beach with round black pebbles ("Mavra Volia"). The stones have volcanic origin and the beach is located between the cones of two now non-active volcanoes. If fact there are three large beaches, each in its own small bay. The most distant is ofcourse the most quite, while all restaurants and cafes are near the first beach. The water is truly transparent and not too warm, and it gets deep very near the shore
CHIOS MUSEUMS
BYZANTINE MUSEUM OF CHIOS
Located in the city of Chios, next to the central square (Vounaki Square). The museum contains the following exhibits:Architectural and other sculptures of Early Christian period, sculptures from Byzantine, Genoese, Islamic and post-Byzantine periods.
Jewish tombstones and old canons, murals, popular art ceramics, fabrics and wood-carvings.
Byzantine, Genoese and popular art inscriptions, Post-Byzanine icons.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF CHIOS
Located in the city of Chios, near the harbour. The museum contains the following collections:Prehistoric and Archaic finds from the excavations of the British School at Emporeio.
Neolithic finds of the British excavations at Aghio Galas.
Archaic and Classical finds from the British excavations at Phana.
Various finds from the salvage excavations conducted in the district of Chios.
Letter of Alexander the Great to the Chians
(Archaeological Museum Of Chios)
