Good to know
Good to Know
- The Archaeological Museum is open 8am–2pm every day except Mondays.
- The Archaeological Museum entrance fee is €4.
- Skarkos entrance is €5 for adults; children do not pay.
- Admission to Homer's Tomb is free.
- The site is best visited during sunset for a breathtaking experience (referring to Panagia Gremiotissa).
- The best way to reach Skarkos is by walking the official hiking path No. 1 in 20 minutes from Chora.
- Walking to Skarkos from Chora takes about fifteen minutes on the old stone path.
- The Skarkos archaeological site has wheelchair-accessible entrance, something not really common in most archaeological sites in Greece.
- Most accounts of Homer's death place its location on Ios, though skeptics say while ancient texts and coins suggest Homer's connection to Ios, there's no definitive archaeological proof that the specific tomb is his.
- There is said to be a church for every day of the year on Ios, dotted on hillsides, in town, and overlooking the ocean. Many smaller churches, some not even a meter tall, are tucked away on the island and are maintained and regularly painted by locals.
Must See Sites
Archaeological Museum of Ios
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (closed Mondays; Wednesday closures in off-season)
- Location
- Chora (town center)
- Admission
- €4.00
- Notes
- Wheelchair accessible. Cash-only payment reported.
- Description
- Located in the Amiradakio Hall in Chora's center, this small but important museum exhibits archaeological finds from Skarkos and the island, including pottery, statues, coins, jewelry, inscriptions, and figurines from Cycladic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods.
Skarkos (Ancient Settlement)
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM (closed Tuesdays)
- Location
- A few kilometers from Chora, accessible by hiking trail or car
- Admission
- €4.00
- Notes
- Primary hiking trail No. 1 from Chora takes ~20 minutes. Site is fenced off; information boards essential for understanding remains. Free for children.
- Description
- The largest, most important, and best-preserved Early Bronze Age Cycladic settlement known to date (mid-3rd millennium BC). Visitors can explore restored terraces, foundations of Cycladic-style buildings, a visitor center with information boards in Greek and English, and original paved access paths.
Homer's Tomb
- Hours
- Open year-round; accessible anytime
- Location
- Plakoto, northern tip of island (~13 km from Chora)
- Admission
- €0.00
- Notes
- Free admission. No definitive archaeological proof that Homer is buried here; several other locations claim to be his final resting place. Ancient sources (Pausanias, Strabo, Herodotus) mention Ios as his death place; coins bearing Homer's head date to 4th century BC on Ios.
- Description
- Legendary burial site of the ancient Greek poet Homer, though scholars dispute authenticity. Features a small stone and marble structure (~1 meter high) with inscribed marble plaque reading 'HERE THE EARTH COVERS THE SACRED HEAD OF MEN AND HEROES HOMER THE DIVINE POET.' Located on a hilltop with panoramic Aegean Sea views. Short walk (~300 meters) from parking area.
Panagia Gremiotissa Church
- Hours
- Open year-round; best visited during daylight
- Location
- On a high hill above Chora
- Admission
- €0.00
- Notes
- Free admission. Built during Turkish occupation according to local legend. Iconic subject for photography; excellent sunset views.
- Description
- Whitewashed Byzantine-style church (17th century) with a distinctive palm tree on its side. Perched dramatically on a clifftop overlooking Chora. Renowned for intricate frescoes, elaborate interior icons, and serene atmosphere. ~30-minute walk from Chora.
Paleokastro (Byzantine/Venetian Castle)
- Hours
- Open year-round; accessible via footpath
- Location
- Psathi area, northern Ios (300 meters above sea level)
- Admission
- €5.00
- Notes
- Free for children. Requires ~15-minute hike from parking area along scenic footpath. Stunning cliff-edge photography opportunities.
- Description
- Ruins of a Byzantine and later Venetian fortress from the early 16th century, built on a dramatic clifftop overlooking the northeast coast. Defended against pirate raids. Contains remains of Church of Panagia Palaiokastritissa on the hilltop.
Windmills of Chora
- Hours
- Viewable year-round; exterior access
- Location
- Windmills Square (Spring Square), overlooking Chora
- Admission
- €0.00
- Notes
- Free viewing. Located a short walk east from Chora town center. Distinctive landmark and Instagram-popular subject.
- Description
- Twelve restored traditional Cycladic windmills, some restored and functional. Historic examples of vernacular architecture used for grinding wheat and crops. Well-integrated into the traditional settlement.
Odysseas Elytis Open-Air Theater
- Hours
- Accessible year-round; performances mainly in summer months
- Location
- Beyond Chora, near the windmills
- Admission
- €0.00
- Notes
- Free to visit structure anytime. Cultural events hosted during summer. Named after renowned Greek poet Odysseas Elytis.
- Description
- Modern amphitheater (built 1997) designed by German architect Peter Haupt to represent ancient Greek theater style. Built with stone and marble; seating for 1,100 people. Offers epic views of Mylopotas Beach from seats.
Agia Aikaterini Church
- Hours
- Open year-round; accessible during daylight
- Location
- Chora town center
- Admission
- €0.00
- Notes
- Free admission. Archaeological temple remains visible on site.
- Description
- Whitewashed church with austere and elegant interior. Built on the remains of an ancient Temple of Apollo (ruins unearthed in 1903). Example of post-Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture.
Ancient Walls & Ruins of Chora
- Hours
- Accessible year-round
- Location
- Stone steps ascending from the port to Chora
- Admission
- €0.00
- Notes
- Free viewing. Spectacular views of Ormos bay during the walk up stone steps.
- Description
- Visible remains of ancient walls that once surrounded the classical city (5th century BC onwards). Suggests continuous habitation from Archaic Period. Located at west and north entrances to Chora.
Diaseli Traditional Cheesery and Museum
- Hours
- Hours not confirmed
- Location
- Diaseli area, island
- Notes
- Specific admission fees not found; call ahead for current details and pricing.
- Description
- Unique museum combining island history with traditional Cycladic cheese production. Offers sensory discovery of island culture and locally-made cheeses.
Art And Cultural Venues
Giannis Gaitis – Gabriela Simosi Museum
- Location
- Near Odysseas Elytis Theater, beyond Chora
- Notes
- Specific admission fees and hours not confirmed; check locally.
- Description
- Art museum featuring works by prominent Greek painter Giannis Gaitis. Housed in abandoned buildings near the theater.
Jean Marie Dro Museum of Modern Art
- Location
- Island
- Notes
- Specific location, admission fees, and hours not confirmed.
- Description
- Museum of contemporary and modern art on Ios.
A Journey to Ios (Photography Exhibition)
- Location
- Varinos House (historical location), Ios
- Notes
- Specific admission and hours not confirmed; check with local tourism office.
- Description
- Captivating photography exhibition featuring extensive collection of vintage black-and-white images of the island.
Archaeological And Historical Context
- Timeline
- Ios has been inhabited since the early Cycladic period (3rd millennium BC onwards). The island established a democratic political system during the Classical period and was a member of the Athenian Delian League. It came under Macedonian rule in 338 BC, Roman authority in the 2nd century BC (used as place of exile), and Byzantine rule with construction of many churches. During the medieval period, it suffered frequent pirate raids. In 1204, crusaders occupied the island; Venetians held it from the 15th century until Turkish occupation. The island participated in the Greek War of Independence and gained autonomy in 1829.
- Key Historical Sites
- Skarkos (Early Bronze Age settlement), Temple of Pythian Apollo remains (visible near Agia Ekaterini), Hellenistic tower remains near Psathi, Roman aqueducts at Aghia Theodoti, Medieval castle ruins (Paleokastro) at Psathi, approximately 400 Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches throughout the island.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.greeka.com
- 2.goatsontheroad.com
- 3.travel-greece.org
- 4.tripadvisor.com
- 5.swedishnomad.com
- 6.in2greece.com
- 7.davestravelpages.com
- 8.secret-greece.com
- 9.gorgeousunknown.com
- 10.greekreporter.com
- 11.greeka.com
- 12.chasingthedonkey.com
- 13.europeanheritageawards.eu
- 14.greekreporter.com
- 15.britishmuseum.org
- 16.familyabroad.com
- 17.simply-madeleine.com
- 18.greeka.com
- 19.petraholidayvillage.com
More About Ios
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.