Ios Ferry

As there is no airport on the island of Ios, the only way to get there from Athens or other islands of the Aegean Sea is by taking the ferry.

Ferry Connections

The island is well-connected with all three ports of Athens (Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio), as well as with Crete (Heraklion) and many Cycladic islands, such as Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Milos, and Sifnos. Please note that some of the routes, like the ones from Rafina, Heraklion and Mykonos are seasonal, running mainly during the summer months.

Thus, there are various ways of traveling to Ios. For instance, if you would rather save time on the ferry trip, you could fly directly to Santorini or Mykonos, which both boast an international airport, and then proceed to Ios by ferry. Santorini is the best of the two options, as the ferry trip only lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Santorini to Ios is, arguably, the most popular route, as it allows you to combine Ios with the majestic sunsets and volcanic landscapes of the most visited island in Greece. Getting from Athens to Ios is also a good choice for those wishing to explore the sights of the Greek capital and then have the time of their lives on this charming island. Moreover, many people travel from Mykonos to Ios or from Paros to Ios, as these islands also stand out for their buzzing nightlife and gorgeous beaches.

What types of ferries travel there?

Both high-speed/catamaran and conventional vessels operate routes to Ios.

The conventional vessels operating these routes belong to Blue Star and Zante Ferries, while high-speed/catamaran vessels are run by Sea Jets, Fast Ferries, Golden Star, and Maistros.

➜ Conventional vs High Speed: What ferry should you select?

Booking your ferry tickets is one of the first and most important steps in organizing your holidays in Ios!
We make this step the easiest and most exciting one, as booking your ferry tickets with ferriesingreece.com comes with lots of perks:

• The experience we provide our customers with has been awarded (Tourism Awards 2018).
• You can compare all the available ticket fares with just one click.
• The booking process is simple, quick, and comes with a 100% secure payment system.
• Interactive live maps show you every detail of your ride.
• Our agents are experienced, informative, and always happy to help you with any question or request you may have regarding your tickets and trip!

ABOUT IOS

Located between Naxos, Paros and Santorini, Ios enjoys a well-earned reputation among the young as one of the top partying destinations in Greece. At the same time, the island is fringed by gorgeous beaches, such as the breathtaking Manganari, which are ideal for relaxing and marveling at the fiery sunsets. The main settlement is Chora, whose cobblestone alleys, whitewashed cube-shaped houses and blue-domed chapels present a prime example of traditional Cycladic architecture.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Ios is between June and August, when the weather is sunny and the sea is warm. However, if you would rather enjoy the beauties of Ios in a more quiet season, we recommend going there in May or September, when the weather is also quite pleasant.

Best things to do

In brief, the best things to do in Ios are to immerse yourself in its vivid nightlife scene, stroll around the quaint streets of Chora and explore its fabulous beaches, such as Mylopotas, Manganari and Koumbara. In terms of sightseeing, two of the top landmarks are the stone-built lighthouse that dominates the port and the imposing Church of Panagia Gremiotissa, which is perched at the edge of a steep cliff overlooking Chora. Moreover, don’t miss the chance to hike around the island’s ancient trails and discover the traditional windmills that dot the hills above Chora, as well as the prehistoric settlement of Skarkos.

Is Ios for you?

Thanks to its lively party scene and the bars and clubs that stay open all night long, Ios is particularly suited to the young, though party animals of all ages will not feel out of place there. At the same time, Ios is perfect for anyone wishing to relax on sun-kissed beaches and magnificent Cycladic landscapes.

Facts

Learn what you don't know about Ios!

• The island’s name is believed to derive from the ancient word Ia, which denotes the flowers that bloomed abundantly in Ios. However, others claim it comes from a Phoenician word that means “a heap of stones”.
• According to some ancient sources, Ios was Homer’s burial place, as well as his mother’s homeland. Though the veracity of the claim is doubtful, a visit to Homer’s Tomb is still a must!
• Ios boasts a network of fascinating hiking trails that pass through landscapes of great natural beauty. In many of them, it is also possible to see traces of dry stone walling, a technique that forms an inherent part of the country’s cultural heritage.
• In Ios, there is a large open-air theater named after Odysseas Elytis, one of the two Greek poets to have won the Nobel Prize. Many cultural events are held there during the summer months.
• Scenes from the famous movie Le Grand Bleu have been shot precisely on the magnificent Manganari Beach in Ios!

Island-hopping: Where to go next?

Being connected with a plethora of islands, Ios is an ideal base for island-hopping. One of the closest destinations is the volcanic Santorini, world-renowned for its sublime caldera, its picture-postcard settlements and its flaming sunsets. Other great options include Mykonos, the second most popular Greek island after Santorini, which is famous for its party scene, as well as the cosmopolitan Paros, the varied Naxos and the romantic Milos. For something more secluded, you could consider the neighboring Sikinos or Folegandros.