About the Port
Chios sits in the eastern Aegean, long famed as the source of mastic resin, the fragrant sap harvested by hand from the island's mastic trees and once so valuable it shaped the local economy. The medieval mastic villages, including Pyrgi with its striking geometric façades, reward a slow wander through narrow stone alleys, while well-preserved monasteries and the Chios Byzantine Museum, housed in a former Ottoman mosque, hold rare murals and carved woodwork for those drawn to layered history. Dark volcanic-sand beaches line parts of the coast.
In Chios Town, near the pier, the central market sells mastic-based sweets, liqueurs, and ouzo, an easy way to sample the island's signature product. Tradition holds Chios as a possible birthplace of Homer, adding literary resonance to a walkable old town, where waterside tavernas serve freshly caught fish as the day winds down.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Chios.
Visit Nea Moni Monastery
A UNESCO World Heritage monastery in the island's forested interior, prized for its glittering 11th-century Byzantine mosaics. Reachable by a short taxi or car ride from Chios Town, about 20-30 minutes inland.
Explore Mesta's Fortified Village
Wander the maze-like stone lanes of this walled mastic village, built defensively against pirate raids with tunnel-like passages and a central fortified core. Pair it with nearby Pyrgi for a fuller sense of the mastic country.
Swim at Mavra Volia Beach
Cool off on this striking volcanic-pebble beach near Emporios, where black and dark red stones meet clear turquoise water. A short drive from Chios Town, it's an easy way to fit in the island's coastal scenery.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Chios
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Azamara | Azamara Onward | 7 | $1,919 | |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Azamara | Azamara Quest | 11 | $3,029 | |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Azamara | Azamara Onward | 21 | $8,279 | |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Azamara | Azamara Onward | 10 | $3,219 | |
| Sep 15, 2027 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 10 | $9,095 | |
| Oct 6, 2027 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 10 | $8,587 | |
| Oct 30, 2027 | Azamara | Azamara Onward | 12 | $4,389 | |
| May 15, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 10 | $9,004 | |
| Aug 16, 2028 | Azamara | Azamara Onward | 11 | $3,609 | |
| Aug 26, 2028 | Azamara | Azamara Journey | 70 | $19,559 | |
| Aug 26, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 17 | $17,540 | |
| Sep 2, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 10 | $8,739 | |
| Sep 2, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 17 | $17,540 | |
| Oct 7, 2028 | Azamara | Azamara Onward | 7 | $2,439 | |
| Oct 18, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 20 | $19,290 | |
| Oct 18, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 10 | $8,264 | |
| Oct 28, 2028 | Azamara | Azamara Journey | 7 | $2,449 |