Experience the best of Ios

Ios lies in the middle of the Cyclades, south of Naxos and north of Santorini. The port of Ormos sits in a sheltered bay, and above it climbs Chora, a maze of whitewashed lanes, small squares and blue-domed churches, with a line of windmills along the ridge. Skarkos, an excavated settlement from the Early Bronze Age, lies on a hill near Chora.

Mylopotas, a long sandy beach below Chora, is the busiest on the island, while Manganari Bay, on the south coast, has fine sand and clear water. Tradition says Homer died on Ios and was buried in the north of the island, where a tomb is shown. Ferries link the island with Santorini, Naxos and Paros, and with its smaller neighbours Sikinos and Folegandros.

Cycladic cooking rests on grilled fish and octopus, tomato fritters, salads dressed with capers and local cheese, and honey. The beach bars and the lanes of Chora fill with young visitors in summer, while May, June and September are calmer. The meltemi, a strong north wind, blows through July and August.