Holiday to Ios

djPSB

Starting to make plans for a week away in the sun during the summer with a few friends (early 20's). Somewhere lively with good nightlife. I have been reading reviews of resorts online and Ios the Greek island seems to be recommended. Has anyone every being there and if so whats it like there?? There doesnt seem to be any travel agencies doing package holidays and also the island doesnt have an airport..
So basically just wondering what would be the most economic way to go about booking the trip..
If its too much hassle, we will probably just stick to one of the more common resorts like Ayia Napa.

Gemma01

I was there a few years ago, it's a small island and pretty much all the tourists are in their early 20s. I don't think you can compare it to the bigger resorts that have loads of huge multi story night clubs but there is still good nightlife lots of small and medium sized pubs and nightclubs.


There is no need to book a package holiday. If you want to go there fly into Athens and then take a high speed ferry from the main port Piraeus to Ios, it's more expensive than the regular ones but takes only 3 hours as opposed to 6 with the slower ferries. You can easily book accommodation yourself online.

bills

Ios is very much the party island if thats what you are looking for.
I have not been to Ios but was in Paros, Mykonos & Santorini. You could easily do a bit of island hopping which is great fun. I would highly recommend Mykonos & Santorini although they are not cheap!

LittleT

I spent a summer island-hopping in Greece with two girlfriends when I was 20 and returned again when I was 25. All in all, it's an amazing holiday destination with, I feel, a perfect balance of chilling on the beach and great partying.

I spent the majority of my time in Ios and adored it. A word of caution though, Ios is a total backpacker destination. You will have to organise all ferries, transfers and accommodation by yourself. But this is part of the fun. There's plenty of Aussies, kiwis and Irish there. Don't get frustrated if your ferry from Athens gets cancelled twice and you have to take the slow ferry there which takes 8 hours! This is all part of the laid-back vibe of the Cyclades which some people just treat as part of the experience there. There is an adventure around every corner in Ios, trust me. If you are looking for a prepared seven nights of drinking and sunbathing where you don't have to organise a thing for yourself, you're probably better off sticking to Aya Napa.

gunnerfitzy

Went there while Island hopping years ago. Brilliant spot. Didn't want to leave. As previously mentioned it is an adventure to get there but that makes it more worthwhile. Ideally you should look at 2-3 weeks and take in some more of the Cyclades.

djPSB

right since I will only be going for one week, Ios doesnt sound ideal.. Didnt realise there would be so much organizing to it. Will go some other time though, when I will be able to head off for longer.. Also, we will probably be spending the majority of our time going out so I dont think the long trip home getting ferries and connecting flights would be great mixed with a hangover.
Ayia Napa seems to be the most highly reccomended place on online reviews.. have any of ye ever been???? sometimes these online reviews arent very accurate.. we were in sunny beach last year and found it very enjoyable, so somewhere similiar would be ideal.