Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ios' four main centres sit nearly on top of one another on the west coast. The port, Or-
mos, is lined with tavernas and cafes, and stretches out into sandy Gialos Beach, backed
by beachside bars. Just 2km uphill (or 1.2km up a stone staircase), sits the capital of
Hora, a stunning traditional village and the nightlife hub. From here, the road winds
south to the brown sugar sand of Mylopotas Beach, with upscale and backpacker-style
resorts. You'll find places to eat, sleep, drink and dance in all three settlements. Banks
and grocery stores are in Ormos and Hora.
The bus terminal in Ormos is straight ahead from the ferry quay on Plateia Emirou. If
you don't mind stairs, it's a fairly easy walk from the port to Hora; follow the signs off
the main road out of town.
In Hora there is a seasonal information kiosk at the bus stop, across the road from the
big cathedral. Hora's central square is Plateia Valeta, buried deep in the old town. The
road straight ahead from Hora's bus stop leads to Mylopotas Beach.
Sights
Hora is a charming Cycladic village with a labyrinth of narrow lanes and cubist houses.
Visit during the day and wander from the main streets into the quiet residential quarters
to get a glimpse of village life that carries on behind the tourist hype scene.
Skarkos
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
('The Snail'; admission €2; 8am-3pm Mon-Fri, closed Oct-May)
Crowning a low hill in a pic-
turesque plain just outside Hora, this Early to Late Bronze Age settlement has restored
walled terraces and the low ruins of several Cycladic-style buildings for you to explore.
A small visitor centre and interpretation boards in Greek and English clue you in to what
you're looking at. To drive here, take the turning between Ormos and Hora. To walk, fol-
low the traditional stone footpath from the back of Hora, passing goats and farmhouses.
(You will feel lost more than once but fear not.) The walk takes around 15 minutes.
Archaeological Museum
MUSEUM
( 22860 91246; Hora; admission €2, EU students free; 9am-4pm Tue-Sun)
Finds from
Skarkos are displayed at this thorough, if slightly dry, museum in the town hall next to
the bus stop in Hora. There are also exhibits from island excavations in general.
Activities
Yialos Watersports
WATER SPORTS
