Chora, also called Hora (although its official name is Ios) is the picturesque capital of the island of Ios. It is located on the north west coast of the island and is the main port and largest inhabited center of Ios. Chora is the beating heart of the island, in fact there are many of the main accommodation and leisure facilities.
Walking in Chora
Overall, the city looks like a splendid amphitheater of white and sparkling houses, according to the canons of Cycladic architecture, with the typical buildings covered with a layer of white lime, cobalt blue doors and fixtures that recall the colors of the sky and the sea. Chora is surrounded by the typical wild vegetation of Ios and develops between two small rocky hills.
Chora has only a few small roads that can be traveled by car and many paths accessible only on foot. It is crossed by a main road, known as Main Street, where souvenir shops, bars, night clubs and the main cultural buildings are concentrated. Chora manages to enclose the two souls, an ancient and sophisticated one and a young and party girl. Walking along Main Street you will come across a series of arcades, stairways, flowered balconies and characteristic squares, each of which hides a fascinating tourist attraction. In Chora there are in fact more than 24 small churches, the most famous being the church of Panagia Gremiotissa, a Cycladic-style cathedral, which stands out against the panorama of the city, with its bell tower and dome in the characteristic blue color.
Main Street reaches the square where the windmills are located, once used for grinding wheat and now become the symbol of the island of Ios. Some of these characteristic mills have been restored and turned into houses, because you can indeed see a windmill with its garden carefully cared for by its inhabitants. This is just one of the many fascinating landscapes that the town of Chora can offer you. The modern part of the city is located on the ruins of the ancient polis (city-state) of Ios.
Do not miss the medieval Castle and the Archaeological Museum, located a few minutes drive from the center of Chora, where you will find a precious stele on Homer and a small but interesting collection of artifacts found on the island, especially in the Skarkos area. If you decide to visit the archaeological site of the same name, you certainly cannot miss the museum!
Climb to the top of the hill overlooking the town, with its three churches and admire the breathtaking view of the sea that is lost to the horizon.
Nightlife in Chora
Chora is the nerve center of the nightlife of the island of Ios. After sunset the volume of music in the downtown cafes increases and the fun begins. Among discos, bars and theme parties there is plenty of choice. The Aftershock Night Club is one of the most famous clubs in Ios, where themed events and parties are organized, then there is the Jungle bar and Disco69, one of the historic clubs in Ios where you can dance until dawn.
The Square is the square where the nightlife of the capital is concentrated and where most of the younger tourists gather to have a drink and decide in which club to continue the evening. A series of narrow alleys branch off from here, where there is a typical restaurant or restaurant on each corner. The evening of Chora turns into a lively open-air party.
If you do not like confusion, we recommend visiting Chora during the day, and going up the road that climbs the hill at sunset, to admire the unforgettable panorama of this magical town in all its splendor.