Making the most of Chios Island
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships berth in front of the customs building, on the right when entering the harbour. The waterfront boulevard, lined with outdoor cafes, is directly ahead; any large cruise ships will bring passengers ashore by tender.
Chios Island has attractive beaches, places of interest, villages and monasteries to explore. Museums and the Koraes Library offer insight into the region's culture and history, while the town, village lanes, local folklore festivals and cultural events reveal Chios's character. This combination gives visitors many ways to experience the island's distinctive spirit and coastal landscape.
Chios town is less touristy and more laid-back than many Greek ports. Walking beside the harbour and along the boulevard makes for an easy, relaxed diversion.
Getting around
Given the island's size, hiring a car or motorcycle is recommended for places beyond local transport and organised excursions. A hire vehicle also offers greater flexibility for independent exploration around the island.
Rental firms are all on the waterfront, within walking distance of the dock. Choose a refundable rate in case rough seas prevent tendering; about 50 % of larger cruise ships do not reach the port here.
For a short stop in Chios, a taxi is likely to be the best option.
In the summer, Blue and Green Bus System services leave Chios town several times daily for Mesta and Pirgi. The main station is at Vlatarias 13 in central Chios town, north of the park by Plateia Plastira. South of the park, beside the central-square taxi rank, a second station serves long-distance Green KTEL buses. Fares are €1–€6.
Nearby places
Chios has over 60 villages, scattered across every part of the island. They fall geographically into 3 groups: "Notiochora" (villages of South Chios), "Voriochora" (villages of North Chios), and the villages of central Chios; each retains its own character.
Notiochora, or "Mastichochoria" (Mastic villages), takes its name from mastic trees, which grow only in the island's north. These villages generally have a larger local population than elsewhere and include the medieval castle-villages of Mesta, Pyrgi etc, whose architecture has remained impressive and intact over centuries.
Food and shopping
Mastic occurs only on Chios, nowhere else in the world. It features in many cosmetic products sold in shops along the boulevard.
Money
The currency is the Euro.
Staying connected
The local language is Greek.
Increasing numbers of small, independent Cafes and Restaurants provide free WiFi hotspots.
Opening Hours and
In Greece, shopping hours can be complicated because they depend on the type of business. The following covers the main areas, but rules may be changed suddenly, arbitrarily and in ways that are often hard to understand.
In the hot summer, 2.00pm to 5.30pm is generally reserved for lunch and the traditional afternoon siesta.
Tourist shops can remain open, as can many kiosks, all supermarkets, main post-offices and telephone offices.
On Sundays, all but kiosks, sweet shops, florists and many tourist shops are shut. In winter, supermarkets trade from 8.00 am until 8.00 pm. From April to the end of October, they instead close at 9.00 pm; Saturday closing is 6.00 pm, and they do not open on Sundays.