Page 221 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

from Gialós to Manganári bay
in the south and Psáthi bay in
the east.
Homer’s tomb is supposedly
in the north at Plakotós, an
ancient Ionian town that has
slipped down the cliffs over
the ages. In legend, Homer
died on the island after his
ship was forced to dock en
route to Athens. The tomb
entrance, as well as remains
of the Hellenistic Psarópyrgos
tower, can be seen today.

A white-walled and 10
blue-domed church
overlooking Íos town Íos
Ιος
g Gialós @ Íos town n Ano STAY
well-marked path system.
The main port of Katápola in Hóra, Íos town; www.ios.gr Ios Palace
the south west is in a In ancient times Íos was This hillside hotel above
horseshoe-shaped bay with covered in oak woods, later
tavernas, pensions, fishing used for building ships. The the beach has rooms for
all budgets; some have
boats and a shingly beach. Ionians built cities at the port unobstructed sea
The harbour area links three of Gialós and at Íos town, later views. There is a
villages: Katápola in the to be used as Venetian strong- spa with a full range
middle where the ferries dock, holds. Íos is also supposedly of treatments.
quieter Xylokeratídi to the the burial place of Homer, and
north and Rahídi on the in mid-May the Homer festival ⌂ Mylopótas beach, Íos
∑ iospalacehotel.com
hillside above. A track leads takes place. A local speciality
from Katápola to the hilltop is myzíthra cheese, similar to a ¡¡¡
ruins of ancient Minoa. soft cream cheese.
The northern port of Egiáli Íos is known for its serious Porto Sikinos
Aegiáli is the island’s main nightlife and attracts a party- Overlooking the beach
resort, popular for its sandy ready crowd. Away from the with Cycladic-style
beach. Head north, via the clubs, Íos is a beautiful island. buildings, this is the
cobbled paths, to Tholária, a Its moun tainous coastline has best accommodation
hill village with tavernas and over 400 chapels, as well as on the island.
an ecclesiastical museum, beaches with some of the ⌂ Aloprónia, Síkinos
and Langáda, the largest finest sands in the Cyclades. ∑ portosikinos.gr
settlement in the northeast, Íos town, also known as the
and the prettiest. Village, is a dazzling mix of ¡¡¡
white houses and blue-domed
churches interspersed with Aegialis
bars and clubs. There are Built in tiers on the
ruins of the Venetian fortress, hillside above
built in 1400 by Marco Crispo, Amorgós's bay, this
remains of ancient walls and comfortable hotel has
12 windmills above the town. predictably amazing
The port of Gialós, or Órmos, views. Facilities include
has a busy harbour, with yachts a pool and spa.
and fishing boats, good fish ⌂ Ormos Egiális,
tavernas and low-key places Amorgós
to stay. A 20-minute walk ∑ amorgos-aegialis.com
west leads to the sandy cove ¡¡¡
at Koumpará. A bus service
runs from Gialós to Íos town
and the superb Mylopótas
beach, which has two camp-
sites. Excursion boats run
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