Chios

Chios, a Greek island in the Northern Aegean Sea, draws visitors with its mastic-producing villages, volcanic beaches, and Byzantine monasteries. You can explore beyond typical tourist paths here: walk through Pyrgi’s patterned buildings, swim at the black-pebble shore of Mavra Volia, or step inside the 11th-century Nea Moni monastery with its gold mosaics. The island’s citrus groves, medieval castles, and ties to historical figures like Homer give it a distinct character. Ferries connect Chios to mainland Greece and Turkey, and hiking trails cross its mountains and coastal areas.

Exploring Chios’ Medieval Villages and Defensive Architecture

The Mastihohoria villages in southern Chios, such as Pyrgi and Mesta, stand as some of Europe’s best-preserved medieval communities. In Pyrgi, whitewashed buildings are decorated with geometric patterns carved into their walls, a local technique known as “xysta.” Mesta’s narrow, winding streets were built to disorient invaders, with stone houses forming a protective ring around the village. Both villages still harvest mastic resin from shrubs that grow only in this part of the island. Anavatos, an abandoned settlement dating to the Byzantine era, perches on a steep cliff and provides sweeping views of the island’s forests and valleys.

How Mastic Resin Shapes Chios’ Culture and Economy

For over 2,000 years, families in southern Chios have cultivated mastic resin from the Pistacia lentiscus tree. The Chios Mastic Museum in Pyrgi demonstrates how farmers make small cuts in the tree bark to collect the sticky sap, which hardens into translucent droplets. Local workshops let you observe artisans turning the resin into chewing gum, perfumes, or traditional sweets like mastiha-flavored loukoumi. Researchers continue to study mastic’s potential health benefits, particularly its use in treating digestive issues.

Beaches Formed by Volcanic Activity and Coastal Geology

Mavra Volia, near the village of Emporio, has jet-black pebbles formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. The dark stones contrast with the deep blue sea, creating a vivid scene. Komi Beach on the southeast coast has soft sand and gentle waves, popular with families. Elinta Beach in the northeast remains quiet, with clear water and a shoreline accessible via a bumpy dirt road. Near Chios Town, the rocky outcrop of Daskalopetra is said to be where Homer taught poetry.

Byzantine Art and Ottoman-Era Landmarks

Nea Moni Monastery, built in the 11th century, contains detailed mosaics of saints and biblical events set against gold backgrounds. The site survived the Ottoman destruction of 1822 but lost parts of its structure in a 19th-century earthquake. Within Chios Town’s medieval castle district, you’ll find Ottoman-era bathhouses and the grave of Kara Ali, the admiral who led the massacre. The Archaeological Museum displays ancient tools, pottery, and statues from settlements like Emporio, which dates to the Neolithic period.

Citrus Groves and Traditional Dishes

The Kampos region south of Chios Town has citrus orchards surrounded by high stone walls and grand mansions built by Genoese merchants. At the Chios Citrus Museum, you’ll see wooden crates and photographs from the 1800s, when the island exported tangerines across Europe. Restaurants in villages like Kambos serve Kordelia, a pasta dish with slow-cooked lamb, and patoudo—meat stuffed with herbs and wrapped in goat intestines. Cafes in Chios Town’s Vounakiou Square sell mastiha ice cream and strong Greek coffee.

Annual Events Celebrating Local Traditions

Every Easter, the town of Vrontados holds a “rocket war” where parishioners launch homemade fireworks between two rival churches. Pyrgi’s Mastiha Festival in August includes folk dancing and dishes like mastic-flavored cheese pies. During July evenings, the Chios Film Festival projects movies onto a screen in the castle courtyard.

Getting Around and Planning Your Stay

Chios Airport has regular flights to Athens and seasonal routes to European cities. Ferries from Piraeus take 8–9 hours, while boats to Cesme in Turkey depart daily and take 30 minutes. Renting a car is the easiest way to reach remote beaches like Elinta or hike trails in the Amani region. Consider staying in a restored mansion in Kampos or a guesthouse in Mesta to experience village life. Visit in May, June, or September to avoid summer crowds.

Trails Through Forests and Coastal Cliffs

Mount Pelinaion, the island’s highest point, has hiking routes that pass abandoned chapels and groves of pine trees. In the northwest, the Amani trails wind along cliffs with views of the Turkish coast. The Mastiha Trail links southern villages like Pyrgi and Mesta, cutting through fields where mastic shrubs grow.