How to spend 72 hours in Ios Greece SimCorner® Australia

Arriving in Ios

The only way to get to Ios is by catching a ferry from one of the other islands or Athens (unless of course you’re rich enough to afford a helicopter). Don’t expect luxury on this part of the journey, but that’s all part of the Greek Island experience. A tip for any first-time ferry travellers in Greece: don’t expect things to run on time and be ready to run as soon as your ferry arrives – they move quicker than you can say “7 shots and a singlet”.

Day 1

Once you make your way up to the village from the port (the cheapest way is by bus – just remember to have €1.60 in cash for each trip), you’ll see the stunning cliffside houses of Ios’ main town, known as ‘Chora’. The best way to explore here is to get lost! With its narrow alleys, white-washed buildings, and a myriad of charming boutiques, bars, and restaurants, Chora is an Insta-worthy destination waiting to be photographed

If you’re a cat person you’re in for a treat – the street cats here are well cared for by local organisations. See if you can spot any of the adorable kittens! Next up you will want to visit the main beach – Mylopotas. Here you can hire sunbeds for the day and dive into the crystal clear Mediterranean sea – if you’re feeling adventurous grab a snorkel and see if you can spot the two local turtles.

If you’re feeling peckish after a day in the European sun, head back up to the village and grab some Gyros. These are one of the cheapest and most delicious local dishes – think homemade pita bread, tzatziki, chips, salad and rotisserie meat. And what would a trip to the Greek Islands be without a breath-taking sunset? Walk your Gyros up to the ‘Top Church’ as the locals call it. You’ll see small signs in the streets showing you the way up, but if you get lost just ask a local or watch the instruction video below. The stair climb is worth it as soon as you see the sweeping views down to the sea. Now sit back and enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in the whole of the Mediterranean.

How to spend 72 hours in Ios Greece

Day 2

Life in Ios doesn’t usually start until midday, so live like a local and have a sleep-in. Then head out for a ‘Freddo Espresso’ – it’s the Greek take on an iced coffee, you won’t regret it.

If you’re visiting in the Summer months you might be lucky enough to catch a world-class DJ playing a day party at Far Out Beach Club. Make sure to hydrate and fuel up! Events here usually open around 3pm with the main act starting around 6pm and finishing at 10pm.

Now it’s time to experience what the island is really famous for – the nightlife! If you’re used to starting your night out at 8pm, this will take some getting used to. In Ios you generally head out around 11pm and the busiest hour is around 3am. The beauty of nightlife in Ios is that you have so many bars to choose from, all within walking distance – so the best way to experience it all is to bar hop. Another thing that makes Ios nightlife so unique is that every bar sells their very own singlets (or vests if you’re from the UK). So, one of the best ways to get a souvenir from your time here is to do the ‘7 shots and a singlet’ challenge – this is a great way to keep making everyone jealous when you wear them back home too.

How to spend 72 hours in Ios Greece

Day 3

So you’ve spent the last 2 days soaking up all the village and the bars have to offer – it’s time to get back to nature and visit some of the natural hidden gems of the island. One of the best ways to do this is by jumping on a boat tour. The small speed boats of the island carry around 10 people and will take you to the islands most stunning secluded beaches, cliffs and even the aptly named ‘Never Bay’. Just remember to bring some water and sunscreen.

If you prefer to go it alone – hire an ATV or a scooter. There’s only one main road around the whole island so you can’t get too lost. You might even make it over to Calilo, a luxury 5-star hotel where Justin and Hayley Bieber have been known to stay. Travel tip – if you want to feel like a celeb, anyone can pay to visit the hotel for the day.

How to spend 72 hours in Ios Greece

Leaving Ios

When you head down to the port to catch your ferry take a moment to be grateful for all of the amazing experiences you’ve had on this tiny island paradise. Next time you might decide to visit one of the other 226 Greek Islands, or you might be like me and move to Ios and work for the whole summer… the choice is yours!

Pro tip

You won’t want to miss out on sharing all your amazing island experiences with friends and family on social media, so make sure you have your Sim card sorted before you arrive. My favourite is the Sim Corner 200GB E-sim, grab one here and you will have data before you can even say ‘one chicken gyros please’.