Chios, Greece: Rent villas, holiday homes and apartments with Italiavillas

Experience Chios: The Hidden Gem of the North Aegean

Located in the northern Aegean Sea, Chios is Greece’s fifth largest island. Unspoilt by mass tourism, the island is world-renowned as the exclusive home of mastiha (mastic resin). It boasts labyrinthine medieval villages, volcanic coastlines and a rich maritime heritage.

Chios offers a breathtaking landscape of fragrant citrus groves, rugged limestone hills and fortified stone settlements, providing an authentic Greek island atmosphere away from the crowds.

Visitors often eschew generic hotel chains for characterful accommodation: from beautifully restored holiday homes and romantic stone villas in mastic groves to boutique holiday apartments tucked away in medieval alleys.

Key Accommodation Regions

Kampos: Famous for grand 14th century mansions and citrus farms converted into luxury holiday homes and self-catering villas surrounded by high stone walls. Southern mastic villages (Mesta, Pyrgi): Have charming apartments with archways and historic guesthouses built directly into medieval castle walls. Karfas & Megas Limnionas: Offers beachfront apartments by the sea, family-run holiday suites and modern holiday villas with pool access overlooking the Aegean Sea.

A Rich Historical Heritage

Chios has been inhabited since the Neolithic era and claims to be the birthplace of the epic poet Homer. During the Genoese era (1346-1566), wealthy Genoese rulers fortified the southern region of the island to control the lucrative mastic trade, creating fortified "castle villages" (Mastichochoria).

During the Chios Massacre of 1822, the Ottoman Empire devastated the island during the Greek War of Independence — a tragedy immortalized by Eugène Delacroix in his famous painting.

In modern times, Chios reunited with Greece in 1912 and remains a historical hub for global Greek shipping families.

Unique Nature and Geography

Mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia): Grown exclusively in southern Chios, they produce clear resin "tears" found nowhere else on Earth.

Mavra Volia: An iconic beach formed by prehistoric volcanic eruptions, characterized by smooth black pebbles and deep cobalt blue water.

Wild Tulips (Lalades): Every spring, the central Chios fields bloom with vibrant wild red tulips.

Olympoi Cave: A natural limestone cave with stunning stalactites and stalagmites.

Typical Food and Gastronomy

Chios' cuisine relies heavily on its unique local agriculture.

Mastic Delicacies

Mastiha & Sublimi Mastic-infused liqueur, ice cream and the traditional spoon-sweet (ypovrichio).

Cheeses Chios Mastelo Soft, salty cow/goat milk cheese, best served grilled with fig jam.

Citrus Chios Mandarins Highly aromatic local mandarin variety used in jams, candies and salads.

Pasta Dishes & Meze

Valanes & Fresh Fish

Hand-rolled pasta with shells; paired with grilled squid, sun-dried mackerel and local ouzo.

Activities and Experiences

Explore the medieval villages: Walk through Pyrgi (known for its geometric, black-and-white xysta wall decorations) and Mesta (a well-preserved fortified village with stone arches).

Visit Nea Moni Monastery: Explore this 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site in the mountains, famous for its exquisite Byzantine gold mosaics.

Water Sports and Diving: Go scuba diving in underwater caves off Agia Fotini or windsurf at Kontari Beach.

Museum Hopper: Visit the modern Chios Mastic Museum in Pyrgi to learn about the historic resin harvest.

Cultural Festivals and Events

The Rocket War (Rouketopolemos) in Vrontados: On Easter Eve, two rival church congregations launch tens of thousands of homemade wooden rockets at each other’s bell towers in an explosive spectacle.

Mastic Harvest Festival (late summer): Celebrates the traditional tapping (kentos) of the mastic trees with folk music, dancing and food tasting.

Agia Markella Festival (July 22): A massive religious pilgrimage where locals walk for miles to the coastal monastery of the island's patron saint.

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