Íos (Níos)
Chief place: Íos (Khóra)
Íos is a hilly island, largely fringed by cliffs, lying roughly half way between Páros or Náxos and Santorin. Until quite recently its only source of income was agriculture on the terraced slopes of the Káto Kámpos valley and its side valleys, but in the last few years it has been invaded by large numbers of backpackers who have destroyed - during the summer months at least - the peace and harmony of the island.
Íos is a hilly island, largely fringed by cliffs, lying roughly half way between Páros or Náxos and Santorin. Until quite recently its only source of income was agriculture on the terraced slopes of the Káto Kámpos valley and its side valleys, but in the last few years it has been invaded by large numbers of backpackers who have destroyed - during the summer months at least - the peace and harmony of the island.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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According to an ancient tradition, Homer's mother Klymene was a native of Íos and he himself was buried on the island.
Íos is served by boats sailing from Athens (Piraeus) to Páros, Íos, Santorin and Iráklion.
The sites of Ios include a Hellenistic tower and the remains of an ancient aqueduct at Ayia Theodoti, traces of an ancient temple at Psathi, a ruinous Venetian castle at the spot known as Palaeiokastro, and the Hellenistic tower at Plakotos.
Íos is served by boats sailing from Athens (Piraeus) to Páros, Íos, Santorin and Iráklion.
The sites of Ios include a Hellenistic tower and the remains of an ancient aqueduct at Ayia Theodoti, traces of an ancient temple at Psathi, a ruinous Venetian castle at the spot known as Palaeiokastro, and the Hellenistic tower at Plakotos.
Related Attractions
Ios - Town, Greece
One km/.75mi up the fertile Káto Kámpos valley is the chief place on the island of Íos, Íos (Khóra). Its white Cycladic houses and twenty or so churches and chapels are enclosed within a dilapidated circuit of medieval walls (There are some 150 other churches scattered about the island.)
On the hill above the village of Íos Khóra, in two rows, are twelve windmills (now out of use).
On the hill above the village of Íos Khóra, in two rows, are twelve windmills (now out of use).
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Ios - Mt Pyrgos
In a cave on the north side of Mt Pyrgos (732m/2,402ft), near the Plakotó monastery, are the remains of a sanctuary (probably Hellenistic) which is said to contain Homer's tomb. At the north end of the island is a ruined Venetian castle.
Ios - Museums
The Archeological and Folkloric Museum at Ios town and the Museum of Modern art at Kolitsani are worth a visit.
Ios - Órmos Íou
The little port of Órmos Íou, with the domed church of Ayía Iríni (17th C.), lies in a deeply indented inlet on the west coast of the island of Íos.
