Chios

With its medieval villages, landscapes, wildly beautiful beaches and ‘life-giving’ mastic, Chios is more than just an island on the Aegean coast

Who hasn’t heard of the ‘mastic villages’ and the glorious Mediterranean captains of Chios? It is one of the untouched and unspoilt islands of the North Aegean, full of secrets, surprises and hidden booty. Chios is an island blessed with nature and history. It is fragrant, authentic, multidimensional and irresistible. When you come here for a holiday, be sure that a piece of its soul will stay here.

What to do on the island?

Bir arabanın zor sığdığı dar yollarla kaplı bir çevre, işinin ehli taş ustalarının yaptığı uzun duvarlar, muhteşem işçiliği ile süslü kapılar. This island, the most fertile valley of the island, was once inhabited by island leaders. This is where the aristocratic families of the island, including the Genoese in the 14th century, built their mansions and lived.

Legendary mastic villages

In the south of the island there are about 20 medieval villages. Particularly important are Pyrgi and Mesta. They are followed by Vessa, Armolia, Nenita and Patrika. It is especially fascinating to walk around this cluster of towns in August, when you see the trees shed their ‘tears’ of gum crystals on the farms.

Gum: 'miraculous' tears

The gum tree, which looks like a bush with its dense branches and twisted trunk, is the symbol of the island. Squeezing the gum juice from the slits in the tree (locals also call them ‘Kentima’ or ’embroidery’) causes the gum tree ‘tears’ to flow down the trunk. Sweet, fragrant and expensive, it is found only in Chios and has been cultivated on the island since the 1st century AD. It is also believed to have therapeutic properties. Legend has it that when Agios Isidoros was tortured by the Romans in Chios, the mastic trees began to weep.

Northern treasures
Discover the great natural beauty of the north of the island. Follow this route: Kardamyla-Nagos-Amades-Viki-Kambia-Diefha. The landscape of Pelinaio, surrounded by high mountains, is exhilarating, the villages are picturesque and the dirt roads will lead you to hidden and secluded beaches.

Nea Moni Monastery and its masterful mosaics
One of the most important monasteries on the island and even in Greece, it was built in 1024 by the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomakos. Due to its size, value and fame, it has been recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. At the altar of Mary, you will see many of the bright and beautiful mosaics found in the world.

Gastronomy of the island
The island offers a wide range of local productions and authentic flavours rather than its famous masticas. The gastronomic richness of this blessed place includes cheeses such as butter and mastelo, citrus fruits such as mandarins typical of Chios, ouzo and aromatic liqueurs, top quality wines, local sweets, sesame halva (pasteli) and of course fresh fish and seafood. Have we whet your appetite? There’s only one way to fix this.