Has Anyone Visited Chios?
 

I have been looking into possibly visiting Chios in September. The appeal of this island for me is the combination of sightseeing and beaches. Also, it doesn't seem to be so touristy. If anyone has visited the island, I would appreciate your impressions.
Thanks,
Les

Topping to read the answers. I have a friend who retired to Chios, and keeps inviting us to visit. He says it is lovely -- but then he would, wouldn't he?

I there in 2008 for 5 days in May. It is a great island. Lot's to see and the beaches are great. Off season it is a deal. Any specific questions?

We spent two days there and they were most enjoyable. We stayed in Chios town which is very lively near the water and visited Mesta, the walled town, and Pyrgi with sgraffito (drawings on the buildings.)

I was there for 3/4 days in 2007. I stayed in a little place om the waterfront and walked all over the main town. Took a taxi out to look at the old villas just outside town. Then a couple of local buses up to the mastic villages and all the stuff mentioned above.
Got there by ferry from Cesme and left by ferry to Piraeus.
Nice island, off the beaten track, plenty to see. Didn't go to any beaches.

Chania, I enjoyed your photos. I also like photographing candid shots of the locals when I travel. More specific questions:
After spending 5 days, do you think 10 days-2 weeks would be too long on Chios? I don't want a rushed visit, but rather wish to spend some days just relaxing and other days driving the island to visit the sights.
I want to stay in one place, as we would rent a car. Would you recommend staying south or north? If you were to return to Chios, was there a specific village you would choose to stay near?
I might have to ask this question in a differnt post but we would also like to visit Mykonos. What is the easiest way to get there from Chios?

Thanks for replies Chania, Aduchamp1 and gertie3751.

thanks iamles...We stayed the first night in Chios town and then bused it to Karfas, south of Chios town the next day. I have heard that in July & Aug. it is crowded here but it was very quiet in May and I would think it would be off season in Sept. That may depend on how late in Sept. you are there. I would have had no problem staying longer. I like a slow pace and could easily have spent a couple of weeks on the island and I would like to go back.
We only had one day trip with a car rental to Mesta, Pyrgi, the caves & we stopped at a place on the coast, can't remember the name. Maybe it was Komi. There was hardly anyone around. I would have found it too quiet outside of Karfas. We saw none of the northern part of the island and the town of Chios is very interesting and we didn't spend much time there other than looking for a pharmacy as my partner needed meds. The nightlife was lively in Chios town, not with tourists but locals. There was a soccer game on the night we arrived and the bars, cafes and streets along the waterfront were packed with locals.
We had lots of choice for hotel rooms in Karfas as most places were almost empty. We stayed at Sunset Hotel and no one was in the whole southern wing of the hotel. The manager left for the weekend to visit Cesme. The pool had not been cleaned up for summer but the manager told us that the same hotel owners have the more upscale Golden Sand and that we could use the pool, pool bar, beach & beach chairs & internet there which was a short walk up the road. We also went to a Greek night show there. So we spent allot of time at the Golden Sand Hotel. I thought the Golden Sand was overpriced. We got a good price and there was other accomodation nearby that was even cheaper and had kitchens.
We came from Cesme, Turkey and returned back to Istanbul for our flight home.

http://www.chiosonline.gr/chios-sunset-hotel.asp

Chania-Thanks for your kind reply.
Les