What to Do in Chios
Chios Guide
Chios is not a checklist island—it’s a place to slow down, explore, and experience something authentic.
Here are some of our favorite handpicked experiences for you to enjoy during your stay.
The Mastic Villages Experience
Kampos Estates & Garden Life + Coffee at Perivoli
Discover the heart of Chios through its unique mastic culture, found nowhere else in the world. This experience combines history, architecture, and local tradition in the island’s most iconic region.
A slower, elegant side of Chios filled with citrus groves and historic estates. Kampos offers a peaceful atmosphere that feels completely different from the rest of the island.
Perfect day
- Visit the Chios Mastic Museum
- Walk through Pyrgi (famous for its geometric black-and-white houses)
- Explore the medieval village of Mesta
- Optional: book a curated session with Mastiha Experience
Highlights
- Stroll through Kampos estates and gardens
- Coffee or brunch at Perivoli
- Optional: cooking class or relaxed lunch
Monastery & Hidden Village Day
A dramatic and unforgettable journey into Chios’ history and landscapes. This route combines a UNESCO monastery with one of the most striking abandoned villages in Greece.
Route
- Visit Nea Moni (Byzantine monastery)
- Explore Anavatos (abandoned medieval village)
- Optional swim stop at Trachili beach
North Chios Escape
A journey into authentic, untouched Chios. The north of the island feels remote, traditional, and deeply local.
Plan
- Explore Volissos village and its castle
- Lunch at Limanaki Tavern (fresh seafood)
- Swim at Prastia beach
Sailing Day to Oinousses
Spend a relaxing day on the water exploring hidden coves and nearby islands. This is one of the most memorable ways to experience Chios.
Expect
- Swimming in crystal-clear waters
- Relaxed sailing experience
- Lunch onboard or seaside
Sunset & Wine Experience
For a relaxed and romantic evening, enjoy wine, views, and the slower rhythm of island life.
Ideas
- Visit a local winery or countryside estate
- Sunset views with wine and light bites
Beach Day: Emporios, Mavra Volia & Vroulidia
One of the most iconic beach settings in Chios, known for its unique volcanic landscape and deep blue waters.
Highlights
- Swim at Mavra Volia (black volcanic stones)
- Beach day at Vroulidia
- Lunch in Emporios seaside village
Chios Town Evening
End your day with a relaxed evening in Chios Town, full of local flavor and atmosphere.
Our picks
- Souvlaki at Grill Theopisti
- Ice cream at Kronos Pagoto
- Coffee from our dear friend Argy's My Cafe and walk along the harbor
A Taste of Chios
Chios is as much an island of flavors as it is of history. From the shaded orchards of Kampos to the salt-kissed tavernas of the coastline, we invite you to savor the local delicacies that define our heritage and our celebrations.
The Spirit of Mastiha
Seaside Tavernas
Ceremonial Soumada
Unique to southern Chios, Mastiha is a fragrant resin harvested from the Lentisk tree. We recommend ending your meals with a chilled glass of this aromatic liqueur, or trying it in our local pastries and 'ypovrichio' sweets.
Nothing compares to the simplicity of grilled seafood by the Aegean. In the fishing villages like Langada and Pantoukios, you will find family-run spots where the morning's catch is served with simplicity, olive oil, and lemon.
Often served at weddings and baptisms, Soumada is a refreshing almond-based syrup. It is a signature drink of Chian hospitality, often enjoyed in the cool courtyards of Kampos with a splash of rose water.
The Island Heart
A Mosaic of Fragrance and Fortresses
Chios is an island of singular character, defined by its mastic-growing villages, medieval stone fortresses, and the geometric beauty of the 'xysta' patterns in Pyrgi. It is a place where every corner tells a story of pride and resilience.
From the wild, fragrant citrus orchards of the Kampos region to the crystal waters of Mavra Volia, we invite you to immerse yourselves in the Chian lifestyle. Its history is a bridge between East and West, and its culture is rooted in a deep hospitality that we cannot wait for you to experience firsthand. We choose Chios not just for its beauty, but for the profound sense of belonging it offers.
