City break in Chios Island. Active leisure ideas for Chios Island - attractions, recreation and nightlife

Chios will definitely attract those who love walking. The small island is full of footpaths, linking local settlements with natural and historical attractions. You can go for a small walk to a nearby village or go on a camping trip for several days and plunge into the atmosphere of rural life. If you are keen on cycling, Chios is a perfect place for you. Tourists can reach almost all the attractions by bicycle. Moreover, you can rent a mountain bike at any huge settlement or a camping site.

Chios is famous internationally for its unique tulips and orchids which can be found only on the island. They are Tulipa clusiana, Tulipa praecox, Tulipa agenensis and Tulipa undulatifolia. You can find these 4 different types during a walk on the island. The tulips are called lalades by the locals. The name comes from lalepou, which is Persian word for tulip. If you want to explore the underground world of Chios, visit a picturesque cave with the forest of stalactites and stalagmites in Olympi region or a rock complex near Ayio Gala. You can see two churches and a half-kilometre system of natural caves inside the cave. Tourists can visit them in the summer months.

Be sure to go on a trip along the coast of Chios. The island is beautiful not only from land but also from the sea. Moreover, there are small bays where you can sunbathe and swim alone, which you can reach only by sea. If desired, you can go to the nearby islands. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Psara Island is a cluster of seven small island. It lies 12 miles to the norhtwest of Chios. The biggest and the only inhabited island is Psara and it is usually visited by those who want to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere. You can spend days bathing on its empty beaches or explore the local villages in the Cycladic style. Oinousses is a cluster of 9 islands. There are a lot of small beaches picturesque villages.

Karfas beach is an ideal place for tourists who love sandy beaches. It is situated close to the airport and Chios town. Mavra Volia beach attracts people with its black pebble on the bottom. The beach is situated near Emborion and there are not many tourists. There are several scenic beaches near Volissos. Sandy Lefkathia, pebble-sandy Managros, pebble Limnos and Agia Markella won't leave you indifferent. Mavros Gialos beach is called «black beach» because of the black pebbles and sand that were debouched there from the volcano that is now extinct. Kato Kardhamila and Ano Kardhamila are popular beaches among tourists, who are looking for a secluded place. You can enjoy amazing views of nearby coast of Turkey from Langadha and Pandoukios beaches.

You can find several areas for beach volleyball on sandy beaches. On Chios, there is an opportunity to try your hand in different water sports. Here you can ride jet skis or master water skiing, learn how to sail a yacht or discover canoeing, kayaking and even surfing. You can buy or rent snorkelling equipment and find a secluded place for swimming here.

Locals believe that a Greek ship crashed on Elinda beach in ancient times. If you want to find out whether it is true or not, you should try scuba diving. There are several diving centres on the island where you can get an international diving certificate. If you’ve got a license before, choose a diving set and explore the secrets of the underwater world!