Chios

Introduction	What to See	Beaches	Food	Getting around	Facts
History	What to Do	Nightlife	Shopping	Getting there	Phonenumbers

Introduction

Chios is a popular summer resort among the Greeks, but it does not have too many foreign tourists. As a consequence, you get a taste of real Greece here, and if you decide to explore the island on your own, you'll find some amazing little villages and beaches that seem totally untouched.

The people on Chios live off tourism to a certain extent, but it is not their major source of income. One of the island's most important resources is mastic, from which you make chewing gum for example, and others live off fishing, farming or working on ships.

History of Chios

According to some, this is where Homer was born and lived sometime around the 8th century BC. Of course, there are many more islands that claim the same, and since we don't even know if he was an actual person, the speculating is a bit in vain.

The name of the island may come from the Greek word for snow, chioni, since the island's patron god Poseidon was born under snowfall.

During ancient years the island was quite wealthy because of its mastic and wine, and this was also the first place in Greece where they had slavery. Chios fought alongside Athens against the Persians in the 5th century BC, and was later to be ruled by Macedonians, Romans, Venetians and Turks.

It was during the Turkish rule the island suffered one of the worst massacres in Greece. Because the island had been forced to revolt, the Turks punished it by setting an example: killing 30 000 and enslaving the rest.

The island did take part in the war of independence that begun in 1821, and it was to become a part of Greece in 1912.

What to See

There is a stone on the island called Homer's stone (Petra Omirou), where the poet sat and worked according to those that believe he was from here.

Agia Markella is a monastery open to visitors, and is located outside the village Volissos. The saint is celebrated on July 22nd.

Nea Moni is another monastery, and perhaps the most visited of the two. It dates back to the 11th century.

Note: if you want to visit the monasteries, make sure you are dressed properly: long skirt and covered shoulders for women, long trousers for men.

The so called Mastikochoria are in the area where the mastic tree grows. It has a special kind of sap that is used in making chewing gum, toothpaste and local sweets. Here there is also a 15th century castle, some old churches and the ruins of an ancient temple to Athena.

What to Do

On Chios you can enjoy various watersports. To really appreciate the island, you should try to explore the island a bit, since it has some really nice places not to be missed.

Chios Beaches

The most popular beach is probably Karfas, but there are also well developed beaches around Chios town. For more peace and quiet, you can go to the beach Kato Fana, for example, but it is also a good idea to try to find your own place by renting a vehicle and drive around.

Chios Nightlife

Most bars and discos are in Chios town and Karfas. The nightlife is quite well developed, and you can enjoy all sorts of music and styles.

Food

There are many nice places in Chios town as well as in the villages. A special kind of blue cheese is made on the island called "kopanisti" and then there is of course various sweets made out of mastic.

Chios Shopping

You'll find various souvenirs of the island, but it is recommended that you take some mastic with you home. You can also buy ceramics and local wine.

Chios Getting Around

There are buses and taxis on the island, as well as several car rentals. It is a very good idea to rent a vehicle here since the island is very interesting and worth exploring.

Getting There

Most people choose to fly to Athens and then to take a flight to Chios, or take the ferries to Chios. The island also has boat connections with islands like Lesbos, Kos and Rhodes, as well as with Thessaloniki on the mainland.

Facts about Chios*

Size: 850 sq. km

Population: about 55 000

Airport:: Yes

Cashmachine: Yes

Internet cafe: Yes

Highest Mountain: Marathovouno 796m

Price rate: Average

Phonenumbers*

International code: 0030 + local code without 0

Local code: 22710

Hospital: 44301-2

Police: 44423, 44428

Coastguard: 44432-4

Tourist Information: 44389

Bus company: 22079, 27507

Tourist Police: 44427

Telephone company (OTE):

*The info displayed may be inaccurate. If changes have been made, please let us know.

WebmistressV.E.K. Sandels

Chios Greece