v2.webp){kind=logo}
- Pyrgi: The checkerboard village where every house front is painted with those black-and-white geometric ”xysta” designs you won’t find anywhere else — wandering the lanes is like walking through a living pattern. Pop into small shops for local mastic sweets and stick around for late afternoon light on the facades. (Personal favorite — the pattern work and the slow pace keep me coming back.)
- Mesta: A perfectly preserved medieval fortified village where the streets are narrow tunnels and your map feels useless in the best way. It’s a real, functioning village — not a staged attraction — so you get authentic tavernas, working doors, and that rare feeling of history as everyday life.
- Anavatos (hidden gem): A dramatic cliff-top ghost village left frozen after the 1822 events; the stone ruins,
- Pyrgi: The checkerboard village where every house front is painted with those black-and-white geometric ”xysta” designs you won’t find anywhere else — wandering the lanes is like walking through a living pattern. Pop into small shops for local mastic sweets and stick around for late afternoon light on the facades. (Personal favorite — the pattern work and the slow pace keep me coming back.)
- Mesta: A perfectly preserved medieval fortified village where the streets are narrow tunnels and your map feels useless in the best way. It’s a real, functioning village — not a staged attraction — so you get authentic tavernas, working doors, and that rare feeling of history as everyday life.
- Anavatos (hidden gem): A dramatic cliff-top ghost village left frozen after the 1822 events; the stone ruins, sharp drop, and sweeping views make it one of the most atmospheric spots on the island. Bring decent shoes and stay respectful — it’s part ruin, part solemn viewpoint.
- Mavra Volia (Emporios) — Black Pebble Beach: Striking black and red volcanic pebbles, a jagged coastline and clear Aegean water — geology that photographs like a postcard. Good for walking, close-in snorkeling, and avoiding the sunbathing crowds you get elsewhere.
- Chios Kastro (Old Town): The medieval castle quarter in Chios town with layered Genoese, Venetian and Ottoman architecture. Climb bits of the walls, lose yourself in narrow alleys with hidden courtyards, and end up at a seaside taverna within ten minutes on foot.
- Mastic groves & harvesting routes (Mastihohoria): This is Chios’ signature: the tiny evergreen mastic trees and the resin-harvesting tradition that only exists here. Walk the groves around the southern villages in spring/summer, watch (or join) simple harvesting work when in season, and taste true mastic liqueur or sweets straight from producers.
- Armolia (hidden gem): A small inland village known for its traditional potters and honest local life. The pottery on sale is made by families — not factory stuff — and wandering the alleys gives a real feel for old island crafts and slower rhythms. Try to time a visit when a potter is at the wheel.
- Mount Pelinaio: The island’s highest peak with chestnut and pine forests, sparse hiking trails and big views across the Aegean. It’s quiet, rewarding and feels far wilder than the coastal resorts; good day hike if you want solitude and fresh air.
- Kambos (citrus mansions and orchards): A surprising stretch of shaded lanes lined with old neoclassical mansions and orange groves — a reminder of Chios’ merchant past. Walk under the trees, peek at courtyards, and sample local citrus when in season; it’s a softer, fragrant side of the island.
- Olympi (hidden gem): One of the quieter mastic villages with sea views and very local rhythm. Fewer tourists, simple tavernas and a nice base for short walks into nearby groves and coastline. If you want a low-key, genuinely Chian village day, this is it.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Therma Springs & Village Moments
Winery Tour and Wine Tasting at Karimalis Winery in Ikaria
Randi's Forrest & Seychelles
Ikaria Highlights West Side Tour
Yoga Drop In Classes
Full Day Cruise To Korakaki With BBQ From Mytilene
Thassos Boat Trip
Join the Winemaker for a Unique Culinary and Wine Tasting Journey
Ikaria Wellness
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.