Chios Day Trip
Travel Guide for Your perfect 1 Day Chios Itinerary
Looking for the perfect Chios Day Trip itinerary? If you only have one day to spend on that beautiful Greek island, you have lots of grounds to cover. But no worries, I’ve got you.
Lucky me, I had 4 days to explore that nearly tourist-free island and even that was not enough to explore all highlights that hidden gem in the north Aegean Sea has to offer.
With only 1 day, you will definitely not see it all. Anyhow, I have created the perfect 1 Day Chios itinerary to cover the most of the best things to see and do in Chios, so that you will want to come back for more.
Chios Day Trip Overview
Unlike other Greek islands and popular most places, Chios is still a hidden gem with very little tourism. For that reason, you won’t find our usual daily tours or organized day trips to choose from on the various platforms.
Therefore, I have created here a perfect day trip itinerary for you to explore the stunning island of Chios by yourself.
I have included a fantastic mix of history, culture, a UNESCO site, some great spots for your Instagram, and of course you’ll see the island’s diverse natural beauty and enjoy a lovely beach stop.
Here are your stops for your Day Trip to Chios
- Chios Windmills
- Nea Moni Monesary
- The ghost village Anavatos
- Lithi Beach (for lunch and a swim)
- The pained village of Pyrgi
- Mastic Museum
- Kampus area & Citrus Museum (for coffee and only if there still is time)
⇨ Approx. driving time: 2hrs | Length: 90 km
Renting a car in Chios
Since your travel time in Chios is limited to one day, renting a car is essential. Conveniently, car rentals are easily accessible regardless of how you are arriving on the island.
If you’re flying in, you’ll find the car rental desks right in the arrival hall of the airport. Alternatively, if you’re arriving by ferry, car rentals are readily available along the main road at the port. This ensures that you can start your Chios Day Trip smoothly and without delay.
Have you booked your ferry tickets for your Greek island hopping or transfer from Cesme in Turkey to Chios yet? If not, compare and book via Ferryhopper for the best rates.
Chios Day Trip: 1st stop
Chios Windmills
Let’s start your Chios Day Trip with an Instagram-worthy stop at the 4 Chios Windmills. They are an iconic landmark located near the main town and maybe the most photographed sight on the island.
Positioned strategically on the eastern coast, these traditional windmills once played a crucial role in milling grain throughout the island.
Today, they stand as picturesque relics of Chios’ agricultural past, offering a scenic view of the Aegean Sea and are a fantastic start for your Chios Day Trip.
⇒ Plan on about 15 minutes for your photo stop.
My Tip: There is parking and a lovely view from the south of the windmills here, even if Google does not show it.
Chios Day Trip: 2nd stop
Nea Moni Monastery
The next stop on your Chios Day Trip is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nea Moni Monastery is one of the most significant Byzantine monuments in Greece, dating back to the 11th century.
The Monastery was build by Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos after a monk predicted his rise to the throne.
It is famous for its mosaics, which are excellent examples of Macedonian Renaissance art and known for their vivid colors and intricate details, capturing religious scenes.
These mosaics, along with the monastery’s rich history of patronage and destruction, particularly during the 1822 massacre and the 1881 earthquake, provide some interesting insights into the spiritual and tumultuous history of Chios.
⇒ Plan with 45 – 60 minutes for your stop in Nea Moni.
My Tip: For a fantastic view of Nea Moni and the monasteries setting in the valley, hike up to Agioi Pateres (Round-trip: 1,5hrs | Length: 3,2 km | Altitude meters: ↑ 200 & ↓ 200). This is just one of many fantastic hiking trails in Chios.
Chios 1 Day itinerary: 3rd stop
The Ghost Village of Anavatos
For the next stop on your Chios Day Trip I suggest Anavatos, a medieval ghost village. It is dramatically perched on a granite hill and is often referred to as the “Mystras of the Aegean”.
The village was abandoned after the massacre and earthquake. Both were the most dramatic events in the island’s recent history. They left behind stone structures that blend into the rocky backdrop.
Today, Anavatos has only one woman living in the village. You can freely walk around and explore the abandoned houses.
⇒ Plan with 30 minutes for your Anavatos discovery.
Chios 1 Day itinerary: Lunch & Swim Break
Lithi Beach
Lithi Beach is a beautiful spot known for its golden sands and crystal-clear waters, making it perfect for a midday break.
Located on the west coast of Chios island, it’s an excellent place for swimming and sunbathing, and the beach even offers showers.
The beach is lined with tavernas where you can enjoy fresh seafood, including the local food specialty, grilled calamari and Chios Beer. I did really like this tavern.
⇒ Plan with 2 hours for your lunch and swim stop.
Chios 1 Day itinerary: 5th stop
The Painted Village of Pyrgi
Pyrgi stands out as one of Chios’ most captivating attractions due to its distinctive architecture and the “xysta” designs on the village buildings.
These designs are created through a unique process where layers of black volcanic sand are used to form intricate, lace-like patterns over a white lime plaster base.
This decorative technique, influenced by Genoese artistic styles, dates back to the time when Chios was under Genoese rule.
The village itself is arranged around a central square, with its Church of the Holy Apostles and several cafés. Just stroll around and through the beautiful small alleys.
Besides being one my favorite medieval villages on the island, Pyrgi is also the main of the 20 Mastic villages, serving as a cultural and historical hub for the production of Chios mastic.
⇒ Plan with 1 hour for your stroll through Pyrgi village.
Day Trip Chios: 6th stop
Mastic Museum
Do not miss the stop at the Mastic Museum of Chios. It is dedicated to the history and production of mastic, a natural resin that is characteristic of the island’s culture and economy.
I really appreciated learning as well about the island’s history, which is deeply connected with the mastic tree products.
Located in the heart of the mastic-growing region in the southern part of Chios, the museum explains interactively the scientific and traditional techniques behind mastic cultivation.
Additionally, the Mastic Museum plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the knowledge and heritage of mastic production to ensure its survival for future generations.
When you are done with the inside exhibition, you can walk through the mastic tree plantation, enjoy some fantastic view over the surrounding area from the huge terrace and shop for Mastic souvenirs in the Museum Shop.
⇒ Plan with 1 hour for the interesting Mastic Museum.
Chios Day Trip: Last stop
Kampos Area & Citrus Museum
If there’s still time left on your Chios day trip, I recommend making a final stop in Kampos. This area, conveniently located near Chios airport, was historically a residential haven for the island’s wealthy, who built their grand mansions there.
The area is characterized by rich agricultural land, lined with citrus orchards in extensive gardens and surrounded by high stone walls.
Today, one of those houses is home of the interesting Citrus museum. The wide courtyard has a quaint café where you can enjoy fresh citrus products and a variety of local treats in a serene setting.
A fantastic last stop before returning to your starting point and finish your day on the beautiful island of Chios.
Conclusion
By the end of your day trip in Chios, you’ll have stepped back in time in ancient monasteries, wandered through ghostly villages, and enjoyed the sun on a golden beach.
Each stop has offered a unique slice of what this wonderful island has to offer. While it’s impossible to see all of what Chios has to offer in one day, this itinerary ensures that you mix of its cultural, historical and natural treasures.
Hopefully, this 1 day Chios itinerary has shown you how unique and still untouched that great island still is and made you want to return. I certainly will!
Disclosure
I was able to write this article because I was invited on a press trip by the Chios Regional Unit Tourism Department. My opinion was in no way influenced by this, nor was I given any guidelines for this article.
Many thanks for that!
Thank you as well for the great experiences I was able to have on site!
