Ios Beaches: The Best Beaches on Ios

Mylopotas Beach

Mylopotas is the best beach of Ios and one of the finest in the Aegean, set just outside the port on its east side. It is a large beach of golden sand that holds all its visitors even in high season, backed by bars, tavernas and hotels. It is the easiest beach to reach and the busiest on the island.

Manganari Beach

Manganari lies in the south of Ios, about 23 kilometers from the capital, reached by a paved road and by bus from the port, Mylopotas and the Chora. It is really two large beaches side by side plus several smaller coves, and it stays quieter than Mylopotas. Some stretches have sunbeds and parasols for hire. More tavernas and hotels have been built here over the years, so the main beach is now less suited to naturists in high season; the smaller coves further off are the quietest.

Tris Klisies Beach

Tris Klisies lies a little north of Manganari and is reached on foot down a path signed "follow path to the beach", with the route marked by blue dots. It is a quiet beach suitable for naturists, with no facilities, so bring your own water and shade.

Agia Theodoti Beach

Agia Theodoti is one of the most beautiful beaches of Ios, in the north of the island about 14 kilometers from the capital and named after a 16th-century church on the hill above it. It is roughly 2 kilometers long and sandy, with two tavernas and some sunbeds and parasols for hire, and trees for shade. The stretch furthest from the tavernas has room for naturists outside high season. Nearby stand the remains of a Hellenistic tower and an ancient aqueduct.

Koumbara Beach

Koumbara sits about a 15-minute walk from the port of Ios, just over the hill. It was once partly a naturist beach but today is almost entirely a textile beach, quiet and made mostly of sand with a few pebbles, with some sunbeds and umbrellas in high season. Walk on along the coast and you reach more pebble beaches and a few coves of black sand.

Psathi Beach

Psathi lies in the east of Ios and is a long, large sandy beach with a smaller sandy beach on each side. The church of Agios Ioannis stands on the beach, a taverna sits just above it, and there are beach beds and umbrellas for hire on part of the sand in high season. It is even quieter than Manganari or Agia Theodoti. On the way you pass a path up to the old castle of Paleokastro, and near Psathi are the church of Panagia Paleokastritissa, the ruins of a Byzantine kastro and the remains of an ancient temple.

Where to stay on the beaches

A handful of small hotels and rooms sit right on the quieter beaches of Ios, at Manganari, Psathi and Agia Theodoti.

Dimitris Rooms, Manganari

Dimitris Rooms stands 80 metres from Manganari Beach in the south of Ios, with air-conditioned rooms and apartments that open to a furnished balcony or patio with Aegean Sea views. Each has a TV and a fridge, and some add a kitchenette. A beachfront restaurant serves Greek homemade dishes and seafood, and a stone-built snack bar pours drinks and light meals. A bus stop is next to the property, the 24-hour front desk arranges car rental, and free parking is on site; Ios Port is about 28 kilometers away.

Helena's Rooms, Manganari

Helena's Rooms sits just 10 metres from Manganari Beach, with spacious, air-conditioned rooms and studios that open to a shaded balcony with a sea view. Each has a TV and a fridge, and some include a kitchenette and dining area. A covered restaurant overlooks the Aegean and serves a full English breakfast, Greek specialities and fresh fish, with an on-site bar. Free private parking is on site, a bus station is just outside, and the 24-hour desk arranges car rentals and tours; Ios Town is 23 kilometers away.

Psathi Beach Guesthouse, Psathi

Psathi Beach Guesthouse stands right on the unspoilt beach of Psathi, with air-conditioned rooms that have a balcony overlooking the Aegean Sea. Each room has a TV, a fridge, a coffee maker and a private bathroom with a shower, and a seafront restaurant serving fresh seafood is 20 metres away. Ios Town is 17 kilometers away and Mylopotas Beach 18 kilometers.

Koukos, Agia Theodoti

Koukos is a 3-minute walk from the sandy beach of Agia Theodoti, with air-conditioned rooms that open to a furnished balcony overlooking the sea and the mountains. Each room has a fridge and a private bathroom with a shower, breakfast is served in the dining area, and there is a Greek restaurant, a snack bar and room service. Ios Town and the port are 10 kilometers away and Mylopotas Beach 11 kilometers.