Beaches, Scenic Drives, and Sunset

Ios might have a legendary reputation for all-night partying, but I discovered the Greek island’s quiet charm over one day in July. Renting a car allowed me to wander beyond the clubs and crowds.

My day unfolded slowly. I beach-hopped along golden coves where turquoise waters sparkled beneath clear skies. I strolled Chora’s whitewashed alleyways by late afternoon, captivated by bougainvillea-draped doorways and hidden cafes.

The day came to a colorful conclusion atop a hill, watching the sun dip slowly into the Aegean Sea from a peaceful church. Far from the thumping nightlife, I found the quieter magic of Ios while island-hopping in Greece. What follows is my itinerary for a serene day in the Cyclades.

Rent a Car

I typically avoid renting cars in foreign countries, but Ios is such a small island with little traffic that even I overcame my fear and made it happen. And unlike my experience driving around Rhodes, I was on my own and could spend as much or as little time as I wanted wherever I went.

The day after I arrived in Chora by ferry from Santorini, I departed Hotel Mediterraneo Ios on foot for a car rental company in the port. I filled out the paperwork, handed over my credit card, and grabbed the keys to a small four-door sedan.

Ios Itinerary

1. Visit the Tomb of Homer

Once behind the wheel, I drove eight curvy miles north through the fertile Kampos Valley to Homer’s Tomb. I parked the car at the end of the asphalt road and walked up a set of stone stairs, followed by a dirt trail, to Psathopyrgos Hill and Homer’s Tomb.

This rocky grave site on the northern coast of Ios honors the legendary poet, famed for composing the Iliad and Odyssey, cornerstones of Western literature. I read The Odyssey specifically for a Classics course in my first year of college and felt a sense of nostalgia visiting this site.

While debates persist over Homer’s origins and resting place, locals cherish the tradition that he spent his final days here on Ios. As I had read, there is little to see at the archaeological site. However, you get excellent views of the nearby Paros and Naxos islands to the north.

Three small, rocky beaches dot the north coast of Ios, the nearest of which is Plakotos. But, there are many prettier, sandier beaches further south, so I didn’t spend any time at the northern ones.

2. Agia Theodoti…