Greek Islands: Ios

Ios: Where Spring Break lasts all Summer.... There is no island in Greece like Ios. There is no place in the world like Ios! Some might tell you it is like Spring Break in Daytona Beach or Panama city or even Cancun but the reality is that those places are tame compared to Ios. Ios is an all out international party of college age people that lasts from June until the end of August on one of the most beautiful of the Greek islands.

First impressions in Ios can be deceiving.... You arrive after a 7 hour boat trip from Athens to what looks like a typical port village, with cafes and restaurants lining the square. But the old Greeks who play tavli in the cafeneons are few and most of the people hanging out are young, tanned and healthy looking considering they have probably been partying until dawn every night. Because once the sun goes down, this quiet port and the typical cyladic looking village that overlooks it from the hill above, literally rocks all night long. Those innocent little white geometric houses open their doors to become discos, bars, rock clubs, boutiques, snack bars, cafes, restaurants and anything you need to cause or cure a hangover.

Days on Ios are spent on the beach with Milopota being one of the longest and finest in Greece, packed with young people of every shape and color, from every country on the planet and perhaps some planets beyond. It's a time for swimming and meeting people in the cafes and restaurants that share the beach and for some it's the time to get an early start for the evenings festivities if not a little hair of the dog. There is a wide range of water sports including scuba diving, windsurfing and some of the more obnoxious variety like jet skis or being dragged behind a speedboat on a giant floating banana.

When the Greek sun begins to go down and the air begins to cool people make their way up the road to town, passing clubs and bars on the way. It may take a couple days to find the bar that suits you the best or you may find they all suit you. You may find that none of them suit you but you don't really care because you are happy to be there. Many people begin their evening by watching the sunset from the Ios club, listening to classical music, a tradition at least since I was first there in 1973. Once the sun has set it becomes a disco and you can remain there and wait til the new crowds arrive or you can have your choice of several dozen other night spots. The main square in the upper village, so peaceful in the day is so full of young people at night that you can barely get from one side to the other. There are Irish pubs, jazz bars, rock clubs, slammer bars, discos and believe it or not even a bar that plays Greek music. As for restaurants you will find all your typical Greek fare and some places that are not so Greek and not even fare. There is a Mexican restaurant, Italian, Indian, and a Greek Taverna called Christos, with fresh fish caught with their own boat.

Around the island of Ios there are other beaches including Manganari which can be reached by small boat or by bus. Rooms can be rented there as well. Other beaches on Ios include Valmas beach, a ten minute walk, Psathi beach across the island and Kolitzani which is almost in town.

Though reknown worldwide as the party capital and with a reputation that has lasted decades, Ios is also popular with older people too. Whether these are the same travelers who came here twenty years ago and are reliving their youth or sharing it with their families ("Look honey those are the steps where Daddy passed out on ouzo for the first time and woke up stark naked with his clothes nowhere to be found.") can only be acertained by asking each person individually. ("Old man. What was it like here in the seventies?") But don't be afraid to approach them. They will be happy to share those stories that they can remember. I know I am.

The worst part of Ios is trying to leave. I know that when our holiday was coming to a close it took us several trips to the port before we found the strength and courage to get on the ferry back to Athens and even then we would have jumped off except for a hippy couple who had jumped on and blocked our escape as the boat was leaving the dock. But you can also leave for other islands since Santorini is an hour away and Mykonos two.

There are rooms to rent but in July and August you may want to book in advance so you don't spend all your time unsuccessfully looking for one. There are campsites too including the famous Far-Out camping which is sort of the cultural center of the island, with a bar that is open 24 hours a day, two swimming pools, a restaurant, basketball courts, volley ball and watersports. It's like a college town without the college (or the town).

Speaking from experience, I am old and grey now, but my time in Ios I will never forget. I made wonderful friends. I had great girlfriends from all different countries. I drank more then I ever thought capable and I was amazed at how quickly a serious hangover can disappear when one has the clear blue Aegean sea to nurse you.

If you are of college age and you had fun on springbreak, or you didn't... go to Ios. Guaranteed to blow you away. You may never be the same.

Matt Barrett and friend Jill in Ios 1973

Travel Information for Ios

For more info, ferries and accommodations visit Dolphin Hellas or Fantasy Travel Both agencies have island-hopping trips that feature Ios in combination with Santorini, Crete, Mykonos and other popular islands, as well as great rates for hotels on Ios and in Athens. For students and budget travelers contact my friend Giorgios at Aegean Thesaurus Travel who probably has the lowest rates for any of the hotels on the island that you will find and also provides great service.

If you are traveling to Ios and are on a budget or want to save your money for some of the other things this island has to offer take a look at the Markos Holiday Club in Ios Town, close to the nightlife and still easy walking distance from the beach (and it has a pool).

Going with a group? Rent a sailboat. It can be cheaper than staying in a hotel. Going alone? Join a flotilla.How about a cruise on a cabin charter with twenty or so cabins that stops at the islands the big cruise ships can't?

You can also find hotels and descriptions at www.hotelsofgreece.com

For hostels and very cheap accommodation see www.greecetravel.com/youth-hostels

For ferry schedules see www.athensguide.com/greek-island-ferry-schedules

For more Greek Islands Visit Matt Barrett's Greek Island Synopsis and Greece Travel Guide

For Flights to Greece see www.greeceflights.com

If you arrive from abroad and you need to get to Pireaus to catch the ferry to Ios I recommend George the Famous Taxi Driver. Plus if you have some time to spare, as some of you will, you can do a little tour of the city. For your return to Athens from Ios I also recommend using him to get to your hotel or the airport. When the ferries arrive in Pireaus there are usually just 3 or 4 taxis waiting for several hundred disembarking passengers. You will be very relieved to see a guy holding up a sign with your name on it.