In the first light of day, after a night of wild fun and, Ios’ Chora (or Chorio) seems plunged into sleep…

The capital of Ios is amphitheatrically built on a rocky slope above Ormos, overlooking the round port, the neighboring island of Sikinos and the vastness of the Aegean Sea. A mere glance is all it takes to never forget its beauty: the straight lines of squat buildings; the iconic white walls and azure shutters, a shout-out of Cycladic style; the winding cobblestone streets; the stigadia (roofed alleys); and the whitewashed seams. A whole new world, completely abiding by the rules of Cycladic architecture, opens up before you. Immersed into quietness, you wander through the maze of streets, stumbling upon alleys draped with vibrant purple bougainvillea, closed little shops and picturesque chapels.

When you find the Megali Piatsa area, you already know that your steps will get you to the highest peak of the settlement, the standing point of the Panagia Gremiotissa Church. The narrow street now opens, with the cuboid houses seemingly climbing on the barren hill and, at the sight of the much-photographed palm tree and blue dome, you recognize the most famous among the 365 churches of the island. According to tradition, some locals had a vision of Virgin Mary suggesting this very site for the construction of the church at the tip of the cliff. The view is stunning: the Aegean Sea and sky blend into one while the white roofs of Chorio and Ormos spread beneath your feet. Even higher, set against the backdrop of a bright blue sky, the three churches of Agios Eleftherios, Agios Georgios and Agios Nikolaos “guard” the capital of Ios. The remains of the ancient city’s Cyclopean masonry, under Agios Nikolaos, offer a fascinating glimpse of the past. Deciding to change course, you you head towards the Amoiradakio Megaro, which houses the Town Hall and Ios Archaeological Museum, where you will see important finds from the early Bronze Age and the Protocycladic Skarkos Hill settlement. Reaching the Winmills (Anemomiloi) plateau, you find yourself gazing at 12 landmarks of Chora, forgotten by time. They are lined in two rows, like veins tracing the anatomy of the hillside, reminiscent of their past heyday. If you are curious to take a look at their interior, you’ll be glad to know that you can visit two of them, which have been traditionally restored. You keep walking up, finally reaching the Odysseas Elytis Theater.