Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
seemingly endless sand-and-pebble beach. More intimate, sandy
Lefkáthia
lies just a
ten-minute stroll along the cement drive over the headland north of the harbour.
Límnos
, the next protected cove 400m east of Lefkáthia, can also be accessed by a
direct road from Volissós.
Ayía Markélla
, 5km further northwest of Límnos, has another
long beach, fronting the eponymous, barracks-like pilgrimage
monastery
of Híos's
patron saint (festival on July 22).
Monastery of Moundhón
For access, seek out the warden, Yiorgos Fokas, in nearby Dhievhá village (
T
22740 22011)
The engagingly set sixteenth-century
monastery of Moundhón
was second in rank to
Néa Moní before its partial destruction in 1822. Best of the naïve interior frescoes of
the (locked) church is one depicting the
Ouranódhromos Klímax
(Stairway to Heaven,
not to be confused with Led Zeppelin's): a trial-by-ascent, in which ungodly priests are
beset by demons hurling them into the mouth of a great serpent symbolizing the Devil,
while the righteous clergy are assisted upwards by angels. The monastery is reached on
a 2km detour north of the main Hios Town-Volissós road.
ACCOMMODATION, EATING AND DRINKING
NORTHERN HÍOS
LANGÁDHA AND AROUND
Ì
Makellos
Pityós
T
22720 23364.
Renowned all over
the island for its splendid home-style lamb and beef
dishes, as well as the likes of rabbit and free-range rooster.
Great barrelled wine too.
Noon-1am: May-Sept daily,
Oct-April most weekends.
Pandoukios (Kourtesis)
Pandoukiós
T
22710
74262.
Excellent if rather pricey waterside taverna
towards the south end of the beach, where lobster can
often be had, as well as less expensive seafood, some
meat dishes and plenty of salads and dips.
May-Oct
daily 10am-2am.
T'Ayeri
Langádha
T
22710 74813.
The cheapest and
most traditional taverna here, serving a combination of
small fish and excellent
mayireftá
for €7-8, as well as very
palatable barrelled wine.
Noon-2am: April-Oct daily,
Nov-March Fri-Sun.
VOLISSÓS AND AROUND
Aigiali
Límnos
T
22740 21856,
W
aigiali.gr.
Attractive,
comfortably furnished apartments at the beach end of the
access road, with well-equipped kitchens and sea-view
balconies in a sturdy modern
ston
e building. The café does
great sweets too. May-Sept.
€35
Ì
Fabrika
Volissós
T
22740 22045.
Just behind the
square, this converted factory, hence the name, does
superb
kondosoúvli
and
kokorétsi
, as well as a range of
daily-changing oven-baked dishes. Seating in the
attractive interior or leafy courtyard.
Daily noon-2am.
Limnos
Límnos
T
22740 22122.
Good all-round taverna
in the corner of the beach (near the access road) that dishes
up fish grills and specials like
kókoras
krasáto
, as well as
delicious mezédhes
and highly drinkable wine.
May to
mid-Oct daily 10am-midnight.
Ì
Moneos A & B/Theias
Pýrgos district, Volissós
T
22740 21413,
W
volissostravel.gr.
Three skilfully
converted stone houses accommodating two people each -
all have terraces, fully equipped kitchens, a/c and features
such as tree trunks upholding sleeping lofts, rele
cting
proprietress Stella's background as a sculptor. May-Oct.
€45
Ì
O Zikos
Limniá
T
22740 22040.
Popular local spot on
the quay with good grills and a fine house salad featuring
sun-dried tomatoes, plus occasional seafood, all at prices
under €10, except for top-quality fish.
Daily 11am-1am.
Ta Petrina
Pýrgos district, Volissós
T
22740 21228,
W
tapetrina.gr.
Half a dozen unique properties, expertly
renovated by the British co-owners. They vary in size
and
character from a tiny stone house to a converted church.
€80
MÁRMARO AND AROUND
Hotel Kardamyla
Mármaro
T
22720 23353.
Co-managed with Híos Town's
Hotel Kyma
, this friendly
central hotel offers spacious, fan-equipped rooms and a
few suites, all pleasantly furnished and some with sea
views. The
res
taurant is good too. Breakfast included.
April-Oct.
€50
Thalasses
Mármaro
T
22720 23888.
Slightly
upmarket but still good value, this
psarotavérna
on the
northern seafront specializes in fresh fish and seafood,
with delights such as crab and octopus salads.
Daily
noon-2am.
Inoússes
Inoússes
, the closer and more easily accessible of Hios' two satellite islands, has a
permanent population of about three hundred, less than half its 1930s figure. For
