by Maria Athanasopoulou
Chios is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in Greece. It has a special identity, and over the last few years, it has welcomed more and more international visitors. Chios is a unique Greek tourist destination offering beautiful nature, excellent local cuisine, ancient history, and rich culture.
The island has been known since Homer's years. It has a long history, which visitors can explore through its local monuments.
According to testimonials, Chios is the homeland of Homer. This highlights the particular historical significance of the island.
Chios is world famous for the production of Mastic and when holidaying here, you should definitely visit Mastichohoria and learn more about this unique product. Mastic is used for the production of liqueurs, loukoumia, cosmetics and for many other local products.
Chios is not a small island so you will need some days to get to know the area well. It would be useful to rent a car as some distances on the island are not short and probably the schedule of public transport will not be convenient at all times for you.
Get to know the island by taking a stroll through its beautiful harbor. There is also the coastal road of the capital of the island. Along this street, you will find many cafes, restaurants, and bars. Chios is a cosmopolitan island and its vitality will surprise you!
You can also walk to the island's castle. If you want to go for a stroll in the city of Chios, walk to Aplotaria and its shopping district.
A place that you should definitely visit, too, is Kampos. It is an area with distinct architecture. The beautiful mansions of Kampos are unique from an architectural point of view. It is worth walking in the narrow streets and taking lots of photos.
After Kambos, get to know the Medieval Villages, such as Mesta and Olympoi. These villages are built with a special architectural system, as they were designed to protect their inhabitants from pirates in the past. The houses are almost joined to the level of the first floor, and there are narrow paved roofs which embrace the balconies of the homes.
The island has many beautiful beaches, including Mavra Volia, Karfas, Komi, Agios Isidoros and Tracheli, but you will discover many more as you go along.
Important museums of the island and its archaeological sites are also interesting. Do not miss a visit there too!
In Chios, there are many monasteries. The most famous from all is Nea Moni. Many people visit these monasteries every year.
In a short article, it's impossible to cover the beauty of a place. We have just mentioned some places you could get to know, but coming here you will find there are many more beautiful spots.
By finishing, I would like to add a little more about Chios’ local gastronomy, which excites even the most demanding foodie. Let yourself try as many local recipes as you can. You will certainly not regret it! Try the white cheese of Chios, the local wines and the honey of the island!
Chios is a special island. Stunning, rich in history and at the same time cosmopolitan. The beauty of the island cannot be imprinted with letters and words: You have to travel here to experience it!
Maria Athanasopoulou is Founder of Respond on Demand, a company promoting Greek tourism to travel agents abroad and co-founder of Top Tourism, a non-profit company promoting Greek tourism and culture. She is also an ambassador for Greece to the World Food Travel Association.
*Images (apart from main) are all by Maria Athanasopoulou (Copyright)