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.

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.