Mylopotas Beach (also known as Milopotamos) is big and sheltered, with superb soft sand and plenty of good tavernas, alternative cafes, camp sites and discreet hotels nearby. Watersports facilities are also available. Milopotas is only just outside the main town, an easy stagger after a night partying.Ios does have a bigger, better beach, Manganari, but it's 22km [14m] of hellish off road travel or a boat journey to get there, and facilities are either very posh or basic, though new road construction is underway and Manganari will really open up when it's finished. Currently Ios agencies run buses there from around 11am.
The bay of Koumbara is situated north west of the port. Koumbara is a 300 meters long, sandy beach. It is an excellent place for snorkeling along the Ios rocks or cliff diving, and Koubara is famous for it's marvellous sunset!! There is a beach bar and an authentic Greek taverna as well as some hotels and rooms to let. Koumbara is a really quiet, beautiful beach. To get there: just follow the road along Yialos Beach (about 30 min. walk) or take the bus that connects the beach with the port .
This long and sandy beach on the eastern coast of the island is usually very quiet and very often one has the chance to enjoy it alone. Of particular interest is Agios Ioannis a Byzantine monastery built in the 17th century. On 29th of August the island celebrates the most important religious festival of the year at Kalamos. To get there: rent a car or motorbike and follow the road to Manganari beach departing from Mylopotas. After 16 km you have to make a turn to the left at the crossroads.
This is the first of Ios beaches you'll see when entering the harbour with the ferry boat. Yialos offers watersports facilities as well as minimarkets, various restaurants and beach bar s. Because of its close proximity to the port a trip to Yialos can easily be combined with a shopping spree in the Port. To get there: take the bus Mylopotas - Chora - Port or take a 10 min. walk down the old donkey steps from the village.
Manganari beach is 23 km away from the village. As it is said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean Sea , it is worth the effort to go to Manganari! White sand, just a handful of people and nothing else to do than to relax and catch some sun! To get there: You can go there by air-conditioned bus - daily departures from the Port, Chora and Mylopotas (about 1 1/2 hours drive) - or by boat (daily departures from the port!).
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