Chios
Chios is a Greek island in the northeastern Aegean known for its fortified mastic villages and the UNESCO-listed Nea Moni monastery. Stay several nights to see the south and the center without rushing.
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Chios is a Greek island in the northeastern Aegean Sea, just off the coast of Turkey, and the fifth largest Greek island. It is known as Mastic Island for its mastic gum, a resin from the mastic trees of the south. The capital and main port, Chios Town, is built around the harbor and a castle that was largely built during the Genoese and Ottoman periods.
Go for the mastic villages in the south, including Mesta and Pyrgi, whose fortified gates and narrow streets were built against pirate raids. Nea Moni, a monastery in the center of the island, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with mosaics from the reign of Constantine IX. Summers are dry and the Meltemi wind blows, so late spring or early autumn is the most comfortable time to visit. Allow several nights to see the villages and monastery without rushing, and check flight and ferry schedules before you book.
Chios in five
- Drive the mastic villages in the southPyrgi, Mesta and Olympi are medieval fortified villages in the mastic-growing area. Pyrgi's houses have geometric black-and-white decoration. A car makes the loop easy.Northeastern Aegean Islands
- Visit Nea Moni earlyThe 11th-century monastery in the hills is a UNESCO World Heritage site with mosaics. Check opening hours and dress rules before you go.
- Book a flight or the long ferry from AthensChios has an airport and ferries from Piraeus, but the ferry is long, so many travelers fly. Reserve a car at the same time, since the island is big.Getting around Greece
- Consider the Cesme ferry for a Turkey dayBoats link Chios Town with Cesme in Turkey in season. Turkey is outside Schengen, so you pass a border check both ways; read the entry rules for your passport first.Visas and entry
- Beach hop on the south and west coastsMavra Volia, a black pebble beach, and Emporios are good stops. The north is greener and calmer, so pick a coast before you plan.Samos
Things to do in Chios
See all attractions in Chios
Need to know
- Airport
- Chios (JKH), about 4 km from Chios Town
- Getting there
- Flights from Athens; slow ferry from Piraeus; seasonal boats to Turkey
- Getting around
- Rental car for the villages; buses link the main towns
- Best base
- Chios Town for services; a village stay for quiet
- Time needed
- 4–6 days; 2–3 days for a quick loop
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Mild, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh13°Low9°Mild, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Mild, greenMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Spring, EasterAprilClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, Easter
- MayClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Warm, villagesMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, villages
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Warm seaJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low23°Hot, busyJulyClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low23°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Warm, calmerSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calmer
- OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Warm, quietOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low14°Mild, showersNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Mild, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
Average daily high and low in Chios Town, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Chios
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Chios
10:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today16°13°98%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Tue18°16°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 18°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed17°10°50%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Thu13°9°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri11°9°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat13°9°0%Saturday: Clear. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun14°9°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 10:21 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Pyrgi and Mestaabout 45–60 minutes by carMedieval mastic villages in the south; allow half a day.
- Nea Moniabout 30 minutes by carA Byzantine monastery in the hills with mosaics.
- Samosabout 3 hours by ferry or a short flightA green neighbor; a longer hop, best for an overnight.Read the guide
Before you go to Chios
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Rules for Chios, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly or sail.Source
- Non-EU visitors are fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's current EES guidance before you travel.
- Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire anywhere in Greece.
- Fire risk is high in the dry summer months. Do not light open fires or barbecues outside marked areas, and follow local notices.
Plan around Chios
Athens, the islands and the mainland
Read the guideNortheastern Aegean IslandsChios with Samos, Lesvos and Ikaria
Read the guideSamosA green neighbor with ferry and flight links
Read the guideLesvosA large island with villages and thermal springs
Read the guideGreek IslandsHow to choose between the island groups
Read the guideChios FAQ
Is Chios worth visiting?
Yes if you like villages, history and food over resort beaches. It is calmer and less touristy than the Cyclades, with distinct mastic products and fortified settlements.
What is mastic and why is it famous on Chios?
Mastic is a resin from trees grown in the southern villages, used in sweets, liqueur and cosmetics. UNESCO lists the craft as intangible heritage.
How do you get to Chios?
By flight from Athens, or by a long ferry from Piraeus, with seasonal boats from Turkey. Check schedules, since ferry times vary and weather can delay boats.
How many days do you need in Chios?
Four to six days for the villages, Nea Moni and a few beaches. Two or three days works as a quick loop if you rent a car and start early.
Can you visit Turkey from Chios?
Yes: seasonal boats connect Chios Town with Cesme. You must carry your passport, since Turkey is outside Schengen; check entry rules for your nationality.