Chios Town hugs the eastern coast of Chios island, feeling a bit like a living museum. Ancient stones whisper stories of Venetian merchants, Ottoman rulers, and Byzantine emperors. You’ll notice the scent of mastic trees drifting along narrow cobblestone streets. It mingles with sea salt from the harbor, where fishing boats bob next to modern ferries.
This port town invites you to wander a medieval castle that’s still a neighborhood, stumble upon Ottoman fountains tucked between cafes, and taste the world’s only natural mastic while island life unfolds around you. Chios Town isn’t just the island’s commercial hub—it’s the cultural heart too. About 29,000 people live and work here, weaving daily routines around landmarks that have stood for centuries.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Walking these streets, you’ll bounce between worlds. Locals sip coffee at harborside tavernas, just steps from castle walls where families hang laundry out Byzantine-era windows. The town’s vibe comes from this mix of working port energy and preserved history, all wrapped in that trademark mastic fragrance. It’s a scent you won’t forget.
Iconic Sights: The Castle of Chios and Historic Landmarks
The Castle of Chios really steals the show. Its medieval walls hide layers of Byzantine, Genoese, and Ottoman history. Beyond the kastro, you can stumble on Ottoman fountains hiding in quiet corners and two museums that reveal the island’s archaeological and Byzantine heritage.
Castle of Chios: The Kastro’s Fortified Legacy
The Castle of Chios looms over the harbor’s northern edge. The Byzantines first fortified this spot back in the 10th century.
Later, the Genoese expanded the castle in the 14th-16th centuries. They built those thick stone walls and bastions you see today.
Key Features:
- Porta Maggiore: Main southern entrance, built by Venetians in 1694
- Portello: Northwestern entrance gate
- Eight bastions: Impressive defensive towers
- Irregular pentagon shape: Walls stretch from land right into the sea
Inside the kastro, narrow streets wind between old houses. Families still live within these ancient walls, hanging out laundry and chatting from balconies.
The Saint George’s Church sits on the main castle street. It started as a Byzantine church, became Genoese San Domenico, then an Ottoman mosque, and eventually returned to a Greek Orthodox church. Quite the journey for one building.
Turkish baths remain, with their distinctive vaulted roofs. The Kria Vrisi water tank shows off Ottoman engineering—an underground reservoir with a cross-shaped roof.
Ottoman Fountains and Secret Corners
All over Chios Town, you’ll find Ottoman fountains hiding in plain sight. These marble fountains supplied fresh water during the island’s 400-year Ottoman period.
Some fountains show off intricate carvings and Arabic inscriptions. You’ll spot them tucked into small squares and along side streets near the castle.
Where to Look:
- Alleyways behind the main market street
- Corners near old coffee houses
- Quiet residential pockets inside the kastro
These fountains remind me how many cultures left their fingerprints on Chios. The craftsmanship is honestly impressive.
Some fountains still have their original spouts and decorations. Local preservation groups have restored others, recognizing their historical worth.
Byzantine Museum: Unveiling Chios’ Past
The Byzantine Museum gathers religious art and artifacts from across the ages. Inside, you’ll see icons, old manuscripts, and church items that span more than a thousand years.
Image Source: Tripadvisor
The real stars are the post-Byzantine icons from local churches. Many survived the 1822 massacre and several earthquakes.
Notable Collections:
- Icons: 15th-18th century religious paintings
- Manuscripts: Illuminated texts and precious books
- Vestments: Ornate ceremonial clothing
- Silver items: Crosses, chalices, and vessels
The museum itself sits in a restored building within the old town, showing off classic Chian architecture.
Displays explain how Chios connected with major Byzantine monasteries. The island played a big role in preserving Orthodox Christian culture during Ottoman times.
Archaeological Museum: Relics and Treasures
The Archaeological Museum covers Chios’ long history. You’ll find artifacts from prehistoric settlements all the way to Roman and medieval times.
Major Exhibits:
- Ancient sculptures: Marble statues and reliefs
- Pottery: Ceramics from different eras
- Coins: Greek and Roman currency
- Jewelry: Gold and silver from ancient burials
The prehistoric section has tools and pottery from early settlements. People have called Chios home for thousands of years.
Roman-era mosaics and inscribed stone tablets sit alongside everyday objects—oil lamps, pots, even children’s toys. These little things make ancient life feel real.
The medieval displays tie back to the castle. Weapons, coins, and household goods from Genoese and Ottoman times help you imagine life within those thick walls.
Image Source: Tripadvisor
The Port of Chios Town: Energy, Commerce, and Daily Life
The port of Chios Town buzzes from sunrise to late evening. It’s the island’s main link to the Aegean Sea. Along the waterfront, locals and visitors enjoy traditional Greek treats, while the nearby maritime district hints at the island’s deep shipping roots.
Vibrant Waterfront and Bella Vista Promenade
The waterfront never really sleeps. Ferries arrive daily from Athens and neighboring islands.
The harbor can handle ships up to 20,000 tons. Two big passenger vessels can dock at the same time, right next to smaller boats.
If you stroll along the promenade, you’ll see fishing boats unloading their catch. Local fishermen sell seafood straight from their boats every morning.
Daily Rhythm:
- 6:00 AM – Fishing boats return
- 8:00 AM – Ferries start departing
- 10:00 AM – Tourist boats head out
- 6:00 PM – Evening strolls begin
Cafes serve ouzo and spoon sweets. After dinner, families wander the promenade, soaking up the sea breeze.
Maritime Heritage and Shipowners
Chios Town’s maritime tradition runs deep. Many Greek shipping dynasties trace their roots to this port.
Shipping company offices line the harbor. These firms manage cargo vessels that crisscross the Mediterranean.
The port moves about 104,500 tons of cargo each year. Over 2,800 vessels pass through annually.
Maritime museums display model ships and old documents, showing how Chios became a trading powerhouse.
Key Port Stats:
- Max depth: 8.20 meters
- Annual passengers: 502,500
- Vessel capacity: Up to 7.5m draught
Aplotaria Street: Shops and Gastronomy
Just a short walk from the port, Aplotaria Street tempts you with local flavors and shopping. Shops sell mastic liqueur and premium olive oil.
Traditional tavernas serve fresh seafood, often caught that very morning.
The street links the harbor to Chora’s main square. Vendors offer mastic sweets, honey, and other island specialties.
Seafood restaurants here are worth a try. They use ingredients straight from the port’s fish market.
Small grocers cater to ferry travelers, selling travel-sized olive oil and packaged sweets for gifts.
Image Source: Booking.com
Mastic: The Fragrant Heart of Chios
Chios is the only place in the world where true mastic resin comes from special trees growing in the island’s southern villages. The scent drifts through town, a reminder of a tradition that’s lasted over 2,500 years.
Mastic Trees and Mastichochoria
Mastic trees grow only in southern Chios. This variety, Pistacia lentiscus var. chia, is different from mastic trees you’ll see elsewhere.
You’ll find these trees in 24 villages, called Mastichochoria or Mastic Villages. They just won’t produce resin anywhere else—not in Chios Town, not up north.
Notable Mastic Villages:
- Pyrgi – Largest, with painted geometric facades
- Mesta – Best-preserved medieval village
- Olympi – 13th-century fortress village
- Vessa – Castle village with grand homes
- Kalamoti – Large southeastern village
- Armolia – Famous for pottery
These villages haven’t changed much since Byzantine times. Medieval walls and watchtowers built to guard the precious mastic still stand.
Houses connect to form fortress-like walls, protecting the villages from pirates and smugglers.
Traditional Harvesting and Production
Locals harvest mastic from July to October. They make tiny cuts in the bark, and the resin slowly drips out.
The drops look like clear tears. Sunlight hardens them into crystals.
Families have passed down harvesting skills for generations. Each tree gives just 5-6 pounds of mastic a year.
How It’s Done:
- Make small cuts in the bark
- Wait for resin to drip out
- Let drops harden in the sun
- Collect and sort by hand
The process takes patience and a steady hand. Harvesters check each tree several times through the season.
Local cooperatives oversee all mastic production. They keep quality high and protect this unique Chian treasure.
Mastiha Products and Local Flavors
Mastic’s piney, aromatic flavor pops up everywhere. The resin tastes sweet, slightly bitter, and pretty unforgettable.
Popular Mastic Products:
- Mastiha liqueur – A clear digestive drink
- Mastic gum – Natural chewing gum
- Spoon sweets – Traditional preserves
- Ice cream and desserts – Local specialties
- Cosmetics – Soaps and beauty products
Shops in Chios Town carry these treats year-round. The Mastic Museum shop and portside stores have the widest selection.
Restaurants use mastic in dishes and drinks. Locals swear by it as a natural remedy for stomach troubles.
Visitors often pick up mastic products as gifts—the liqueur and gum are top favorites. They capture a flavor that’s pure Chios.
Image Source: Tripadvisor
Exploring Beyond Chios Town: Villages, Monasteries, and Nature
The countryside around Chios Town is full of surprises. From citrus-scented Kampos estates to the haunting ruins of Anavatos, every destination has its own story.
Kampos: Citrus Estates and Genoese Mansions
Kampos feels like you’ve wandered into a secret garden. This fertile plain stretches south of Chios Town, packed with orange and lemon groves that perfume the breeze.
The citrus orchards date back centuries. Genoese merchants planted them during their rule, building grand stone mansions behind high walls.
Narrow dirt roads snake between the estates. Each “periohi” has its charm. Some mansions stand restored and elegant, while others crumble among wild gardens.
Traditional water wheels still turn in some groves. These clever devices once irrigated the whole plain.
Many mansions now host boutique hotels or events. Their courtyards are perfect for quiet moments among the orange trees. The mix of ancient stone and lush greenery feels almost magical.
Anavatos: The Cliffside Ghost Village
Anavatos sits perched on a wild, rocky cliff in central Chios. Locals call it the “Mystras of the Aegean,” and honestly, it’s easy to see why.
I remember climbing the steep, winding path to reach the ruins. Stone houses cling to the cliff face, looking like ancient barnacles that refuse to let go.
Most buildings stand empty, battered by wind and time. It’s eerie, but there’s a strange beauty in the silence.
Back in 1822, tragedy struck this place. Ottoman forces stormed the village, and many residents chose to leap from the cliffs rather than surrender.
That heavy history lingers in the empty streets. Sometimes, it almost feels like the stones themselves remember.
From the top, the views are absolutely breathtaking. The landscape rolls out in every direction—on a clear day, you can even spot the Turkish coast far off.
A handful of tower houses still stand, their thick stone walls whispering stories of medieval life. The old village church remains too, though its roof gave up long ago.
Walking through Anavatos is like stepping into a time machine. Except for the wind, everything’s quiet. It hits you just how turbulent the island’s past really was.
Mesta and Pyrgi: Medieval Village Life
If you want to see the Mastichochoria at their finest, Mesta and Pyrgi are the places to go. Both villages started as fortified settlements, built to protect the precious mastic trade.
Mesta feels like a living medieval maze. I got lost wandering the narrow stone alleys—some barely wide enough for a single person.
The houses form the outer walls, turning the whole village into a natural fortress. It’s clever, and you can sense the purpose behind every stone.
The central square feels cozy, almost like an outdoor living room. Local tavernas serve up traditional dishes in the shade of ancient stones.
Even on the hottest days, the architecture creates cool, breezy spaces. I always appreciate a bit of thoughtful design, especially in summer.
Pyrgi stands out for its incredible decorative patterns. The houses are covered in “xysta,” those intricate black and white geometric designs.
Villagers create xysta by scratching through white plaster to reveal the dark stone underneath. Each pattern means something—sometimes a story, sometimes a symbol.
The effect? It’s stunning. I haven’t seen anything quite like it anywhere else in Greece.
Both villages still produce mastic, and I spotted the famous mastic trees growing in neat groves around the settlements.
Nea Moni Monastery: Byzantine Splendor
Nea Moni sits tucked away in the mountains between Avgonyma and Karyes. It’s not just another old church—this place ranks among Greece’s most important Byzantine sites.
Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos founded it back in the 11th century. According to legend, three monks discovered a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary here, and the emperor responded by building the grand monastery.
Inside, the mosaics absolutely floored me. Gold backgrounds shimmer behind religious figures, all rendered in jaw-dropping detail.
Despite the 1822 massacre and an earthquake in 1881, the main church and its mosaics survived. That’s some serious resilience.
I spent a while in the peaceful courtyard, surrounded by tall cypress trees. The mountain setting gives the place a spiritual vibe that’s hard to describe.
There’s a small museum here too, with religious artifacts and displays about the monastery’s history.
In a chapel, the monks’ skulls are displayed as a memorial to those killed in 1822. It’s sobering, but it connects you to the island’s tragic past in a way that words can’t quite capture.
Cultural Traditions, Festivals, and Everyday Taste
Chios Town pulses with ancient traditions that mix wild celebrations with simple, everyday pleasures.
The island’s most famous spectacle? Thousands of rockets lighting up Easter night. Meanwhile, local tavernas serve distinctive dishes you just won’t find anywhere else.
Rouketopolemos: The Rocket War of Vrontados
I’ve seen a lot of festivals, but nothing matches the Rocket War in Vrontados. Every Easter Sunday, two rival churches turn the night into a battlefield—firing thousands of homemade rockets at each other’s bell towers.
Locals from Agios Markos and Panagia Erithiani spend weeks crafting rockets out of bamboo and gunpowder. The goal? Nail the opposing church’s bell tower.
When night falls, chaos erupts. Rockets streak through the darkness, bells ring, and the sky glows with fire. One year, I counted over 25,000 rockets.
Safety gear is a must—locals suit up in goggles and protective clothing. The churches keep score, but arguments about the winner are part of the tradition.
People come from all over the world just to witness this wild Easter event. It’s loud, a bit dangerous, and absolutely unforgettable.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Local Cuisine: Mastelo and Ouzo
Chios serves up flavors I haven’t found anywhere else in Greece. Mastelo tops the list—a clay pot of lamb cooked with red wine and dill.
The secret? Local chefs seal the pot with dough and slow-cook it for hours. The result is melt-in-your-mouth meat packed with rich, concentrated flavor.
I always pair it with Chios ouzo. This island’s ouzo stands out thanks to a hint of mastic resin, giving it a subtle piney taste.
Spoon sweets are another treat you’ll find everywhere. Locals serve these thick fruit preserves with coffee or ouzo. I’ve tasted versions made from:
- Mastic-flavored cherries
- Bergamot oranges
- Rose petals
- Quince
Bakeries here love mastic too—you’ll spot it in pastries and even ice cream. The flavor is unique, and honestly, it’s addictive.
Life in Vrontados and Karfas
I’ve spent time in both Vrontados and Karfas, trying to get a sense of daily life on the island. Vrontados feels more traditional, with its narrow streets and old stone houses.
Most mornings, I watch fishermen mend their nets while older men play backgammon in the coffee shops. The pace is slow, and nobody seems in a rush.
Karfas, on the other hand, buzzes with a beach resort vibe. The sandy stretch draws families, and tavernas dish out fresh seafood.
I always notice more tourists here, especially in the summer. Still, the village keeps its local character.
Both places have strong community ties. In the evenings, everyone gathers in the central squares. Kids play, adults chat over coffee and ouzo, and life just feels… well, easy.
Practical Tips for Visiting Chios Town and Surroundings
Chios Island makes getting around pretty simple, with plenty of transport options and comfy places to stay in the town center.
Day trips from Chios Town are a breeze—fascinating villages and gorgeous beaches are all within easy driving distance.
Getting There: Chios Island National Airport and Port Access
Chios Island National Airport sits about 4 kilometers south of town. The airport’s small but runs smoothly, with direct flights from Athens taking just 45 minutes.
Olympic Air and Sky Express handle most flights, especially during peak season. A taxi from the airport to town usually costs €15-20.
The main port links Chios to Piraeus, Mytilene, and even Turkish ports. Ferries from Piraeus take around 8-9 hours overnight.
If you’re coming in summer, I’d book ferry tickets ahead of time. The port’s right in town, so you can walk to most hotels.
Car rental desks are at both the airport and the port. Honestly, having a car makes exploring the island way easier.
Where to Stay: Hotels and Guesthouses
Chios Town has something for every budget, from simple guesthouses to boutique hotels. Most places cluster near the port or in the old town.
Best areas to stay:
- Near Chios Castle for some history
- Port area for easy ferry access
- Central square for restaurants and shops
If you’re visiting in summer, I’d pick a place with air conditioning. Lots of family-run guesthouses offer warm Greek hospitality.
Budget travelers can find rooms for €30-50 per night, while mid-range hotels usually run €60-100.
Rooms fill up fast in July and August, so booking early is a smart move.
Day Trips: Emporios, Mavra Volia Beach, and More
Ever thought about escaping Chios Town for a day? Emporios is a favorite of mine—just 40 kilometers south. The drive’s not bad, and you’ll end up in a coastal village with charming old buildings and some of the freshest seafood around.
If you love unusual beaches, you can’t miss Mavra Volia Beach near Emporios. Those black volcanic pebbles are wild—honestly, the way the dark stones meet the deep blue water looks surreal in photos. It’s the kind of place that makes you pause and just take it all in.
Pyrgi Village is another spot that stands out. Locals decorate their houses with these crazy geometric patterns you won’t find anywhere else. Getting there from Chios Town only takes about 25 minutes by car, so it’s totally doable as a quick trip.
Craving a bit of history or maybe some peaceful mountain views? Head up to Nea Moni Monastery. The road winds through the hills, so the drive feels like a little adventure on its own. I always try to get there in the morning—the light is just perfect for photos and wandering.
Day trip distances from Chios Town:
- Pyrgi Village: 25 km (25 minutes)
- Emporios: 40 km (45 minutes)
- Mavra Volia Beach: 42 km (50 minutes)
- Nea Moni: 15 km (30 minutes)
Honestly, renting a car makes life easier. You’ll get to see more, stop wherever you want, and not worry about bus schedules. If you’re up for exploring, these day trips really show off the best of Chios.
