Island in South Aegean, Greece
Ios
Small Cycladic island with a white hilltop Chora, a party beach at Mylopotas and a young backpacker crowd. Easy to meet people in summer, but quiet and shut outside June–September.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,480–3,600Comfortable, one person · €2,200–3,200Details
- Value for money20/100Better value than 19% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–SepWarmest: Aug, 26°CDetails
- Internet91 MbpsFixed broadband, Greece medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledTap water is desalinated and salty; use bottled water.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$45–79Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundLocal busWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards widely accepted.Details
Where to stay in Ios
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Chora | Bars, clubs, hostels, ferry port link, steep alleys |
| Mylopotas | Long beach, surf and yoga, hotels near the sand |
| Ormos (Gialos) | Port area: ferry quay, quieter than Chora |
| Manganari | Remote south-coast beach, boat or road access |
Apps that work in Ios
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Viber and WhatsApp
- Ferryhopper: Compare and book ferries between islands
- Taxis: No ride apps. Taxis are scarce; use the bus or arrange transfers with your hotel.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Greece.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards widely accepted. Keep cash for bakeries, bus tickets and small beach bars. ATMs are in Chora and Ormos.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Most Greek bank ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros; Euronet costs more. Decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or leave 5–10% in tavernas and cafés, ideally in cash; card tips often can't be added.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted; IRIS bank transfers are for locals with Greek accounts.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Ferries from Turkey and Albania cross the Schengen external border, so expect full passport checks there.
Emergency numbers
Police 100 · Ambulance 166 · Fire 199 · Tourist police 1571 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from Telekom, Vodafone and Nova at Athens airport and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Greece
Going to Ios solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.