According to Business Insider’s annual ranking, Ios has been named one of the 100 “hidden paradises” globally. As the list gears up for the upcoming travel season, it reflects extensive research that included input from travel bloggers, major tourism organizations, and travel agencies to select the world’s most beautiful islands across North and South America, Oceania, Europe, Asia, and Africa—places that still retain their authenticity.
The list praises Ios as “a stunning destination with beautiful beaches, unique ambiance, impressive nightlife, and a wide range of activities.” In a similar vein, Conde Nast Traveller Spain has named Ios’s main village, Chora, one of Greece’s most beautiful villages, describing “the unforgettable sunset view from Panagia Gremiotissa, the village’s highest point.” Just behind the whitewashed windmills lies the open-air Odysseas Elytis Theater, which is especially active in summer. The island’s Archaeological Museum in Chora features notable artifacts from Skarkos, one of the Cyclades’ most significant ancient settlements.
With backing from tourism consultants, the Municipality of Ios has rolled out a campaign to showcase the island to both established and new travel markets, including the UK, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, and the U.S. “We are continually enhancing our offerings to create unique experiences, from gastronomy and cultural events to hiking, biking, diving, and exploring historic and ancient monuments,” the campaign noted, emphasizing how these unique experiences blend with the island’s natural beauty and lively nightlife to draw visitors year-round.
In September, a new cultural project opened in Ios: the Yannis Gaitis – Gabriella Simosi Museum. Designed by architects Loretta Gaitis and Jacques Charrat, this 1,600-square-meter museum features a permanent, popular exhibition, along with space for additional shows and events. Built atop a hill with panoramic views over Chora, Ios’s port, and neighboring islands Sikinos, Paros, and Naxos, the museum offers a breathtaking backdrop of the Aegean’s endless blue. This cultural hub is expected to bolster cultural tourism on Ios, creating new opportunities for visitors outside the high season, as noted by Antonis Mettos, President of the Tourism Committee for Ios.
