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Nea Moni

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Distance from the city11 km central
LocationMountainous
Beach accessNo
Food serviceNo

Nea Moni is the Byzantine monastery complex in the central part of Chios, 11 kilometers from the city. It has been designated a World Heritage Site and is protected by UNESCO.

It was founded in the mid-11th century with imperial sponsorship, while according to tradition, a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary was the reason for the construction of the temple.

One should not miss the opportunity to admire the unique architectural layout of the temple up close with the elaborate well-preserved mosaics inside for which it is famous. The ossuary from the Chios massacre is characteristic, which will cause you to shiver and move. A historical monument of significant religious value that is worth visiting in a wooded area with a spectacular view that will impress you.

Pyrgi

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Distance from the city25 km south
LocationPlain
Beach accessYes
Food serviceYes

Pyrgi is the largest mastic village in southern Chios, located 25 kilometers from Chios town. The narrow streets, the tall, continuous houses and the rich geometric decoration are elements that make it unique.

The medieval village has withstood the test of time and remains an unaltered heritage monument. Visitors can wander the alleys and admire the so-called xysta, the black and white patterns that adorn the exterior of the houses. While the central square of the village is ideal for food, coffee and moments of relaxation. Almost 3 kilometers outside the village is the Mastic Museum, dedicated to Mastic and its cultivation, offering an experiential experience to those who wish to get a taste of the unique product.

In case the visitor wishes to cool off, the nearest beach is Karynta at 6 kilometers, sandy with crystal clear waters and a canteen for food. Also, Kato Fana at 7 kilometers with its endless sandy beach is ideal for swimming and fishing. Mavra Volia, a volcanic beach located approximately 8 kilometers from Pyrgi with unique beauty and intense archaeological interest. Komi at 9 kilometers is the ideal beach for those who wish to take a dip and have fun at the beach bars. Salagona at 10.5 kilometers from Pyrgi, an organized beach with crystal clear waters. Vroulidia at 12 kilometers, a small beach with turquoise waters is the ultimate destination with a wonderful view of the endless blue.

Nearby beaches

Mesta

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Distance from the city35 km south
LocationPlain
Beach accessYes
Food serviceYes

Mesta is a medieval castle village in southern Chios, 35 kilometers from Chios town. It is a village with a unique architectural layout that preserves its traditional elements in the most authentic way.

During the Byzantine period, it was a strong protective fortress that prevented the raids of the Turks and pirates. You can see some of the circular towers that are located in the outer corners of the village. The small alleys with cobblestone streets and the stone-built houses with arches offer the visitor a unique experience. It is worth trying the souma, a locally produced Mesta wine, and celebrating it with song and dance. The square is ideal for the visitor to enjoy their coffee, while the port of Mesta, 4 kilometers from the village, is considered an essential destination for fresh fish and ouzo.

Apothika is the closest beach, located just 5 kilometers from the center of Mesta, with a bar overlooking the Aegean Sea, while going down to the beach, the diving school allows those who wish to rent canoes, kayaks and SUPs and explore the seabed and caves of the area. Avlonia is located 6.2 kilometers away, a beach with crystal blue waters in a natural bay, as well as a canteen with a few sun loungers for coffee or snacks. Didyma beach is 6.5 kilometers from Mesta, it is a double beach separated by rocks and is intended for those who want to avoid crowds and prefer isolation and tranquility. While Salagona at 6.7 kilometers is for visitors who prefer organized beaches with a canteen, sun loungers and umbrellas. Agia Dynami at 11.4 kilometers with its natural beauty, turquoise waters, and the amazing sunset will remind you of exotic islands.

Nearby beaches

Kampos

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Distance from the city6 km south
LocationPlain
Beach accessYes
Food serviceYes

Kampos is 6 kilometers south of the center of Chios town and is a unique destination that stands out. The vast orchards with orange and tangerine trees as well as the mansions of aristocratic families lend authenticity to the area.

The properties made of Thymianous stone with their high walls and impressive arched gates will enchant you. The characteristic pebbled floor, the watermills, the cisterns and the arcades reveal the wealth of another era.

The visitor can explore the paved paths of the estates that are suitable for walking and cycling, but also admire the courtyards of the mansions that are open to the public, such as the famous Argentiko. The citrus, a museum of the history of Kampos and the cultivation of citrus fruits, allows anyone who wishes to enjoy their coffee under the shade and coolness of the trees, to taste the spoon sweets, jams and to buy locally produced products.

The nearest beach is Karfas, one of the most tourist resorts of Chios, just 3.5 kilometers from Kampos, an organized beach with sand, shallow and warm waters, as well as a diving school for water sports.

Megas Limnionas, 4 kilometers from Kampos, a small beach that combines pebbles and sand, with taverns and bars that offer moments of relaxation to the visitor.

Agia Fotini, just 5 kilometers away, a cosmopolitan beach with bars, sun loungers and umbrellas, is the destination for those who wish to spend their day and evening hours on the beach with music and cocktails.

Nearby beaches

Volissos

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Distance from the city42 km north
LocationMountainous
Beach accessYes
Food serviceYes

Volissos is the largest village in northern Chios, 42 kilometers from Chios town. The medieval castle of Volissos is located at the highest point of the village with an unparalleled view, which was a strategic control point from enemy raids.

The walk from the castle to the central square of the village through the paths is ideal for nature lovers. The village offers a tasting journey based on local delicacies. It is worth trying bread from the traditional wood-fired oven of the area as well as wine from the local wineries.

At 2.5 kilometers from the village is the port of Volissos, Limnia with shops for coffee, food, drinks and the sandy beach of Limnos ideal for diving. The view from Lefkathia, 2 kilometers from Volissos, the beach with its enchanting beauty, in a bay, will reward you. Managros at 4 kilometers from Volissos, a large beach with crystal clear waters is located within walking distance of the scouting and camping center for those who wish to go camping. The visitor cannot miss the opportunity to visit Agia Markella, 8 kilometers from the center of Volissos, the monastery of the protector of Chios and the beach with its cold blue waters with a view that stretches across the Aegean.

Nearby beaches

Anavatos

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Distance from the city16 km central
LocationMountainous
Beach accessYes
Food serviceNo

Anavatos is an uninhabited settlement in the central part of Chios, 16 kilometers from Chios town.

It is an inaccessible medieval village where the events of the 21st revolution took place, from which it received the nickname, the Mystras of the Aegean. It is worth wandering through the village, which hides a huge historical flashback to the past, constituting a symbolic village for the island of Chios. The stone-built houses with low roofs and small doors are elements that characterize it with hiking trails that offer the view of a delightful sunset.

The nearest beach is the magnificent bay of Elinta, which offers a combined landscape of sea and mountain that no one should miss, approximately 13.5 kilometers from Anavatos. At 14.5 kilometers, Trachili, an isolated deserted beach with an idyllic landscape and a watchtower right next to the beach, is the destination that will reward you.

Nearby beaches

Lagada

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Distance from the city16 km northeast
LocationSeaside
Beach accessYes
Food serviceYes

Lagada is one of the most touristic villages, especially during the summer months, built amphitheatrically, 16 kilometers from the town of Chios. It is located in a fertile plain on the northeastern side of Chios.

The inhabitants of the village are mainly engaged in shipping and fishing. The rich vegetation combined with the mountainous element compose a fairy-tale landscape. The harbor with the boats, the bridge, and the benches, the neat houses with the beautiful courtyards and the taverns around the harbor are among the most picturesque elements of the village. The visitor can enjoy a walk on the pedestrian street around the harbor and eat his meze, fresh fish and seafood right next to the sea. There are also frequent itineraries to Oinousses in case someone wishes to travel to the island with the nautical tradition.

At 4 kilometers from Lagada one can swim in one of the most beautiful bays of the island, Agios Isidoros, which took its name from the chapel. The beach offers many amenities with a well-known beach bar for cocktails. Another beach that one should visit is Glaroi at 7 kilometers from the village, in a bay with green icy waters. The view with the wild beauty, the rocks and the virgin green waters will reward you. During the summer months there is a beach bar which provides services to bathers while in the evening it organizes parties and concerts for entertainment and fun.

Nearby beaches

Agio Galas

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Distance from the city69 km north
LocationMountainous
Beach accessNo
Food serviceYes

Agio Galas is 69 kilometers from Chios town and is located on a rocky hill on the northwestern tip of the island. The village is famous for the Byzantine church, Panagia Agiogalousaina with its wooden carved iconostasis and the cave.

The stalactites from which milky water falls, as tradition says, gave its name to the village. People settled in the cave since the Neolithic era, while during the ancient and Roman times it was used as a sanctuary for worship.

A distant destination that will however reward you with its rare beauty and the amazing sunset unique to the island. It is one of the most remarkable cultural heritage monuments, an ideal destination for adventurous travelers. The large area of ​​Agios Galaksos is suitable for both activities and games in nature for young and old, as well as for relaxation with the existence of a canteen for coffee and food. Do not forget to try the hiking trail that connects Agios Galas with Agios Giannis, an abandoned village with dilapidated poor houses. The path to the settlements with rare species of flora and fauna will surprise you.