Ios is the island I associate most with my teenage years when I used to come with my Greek and English friends, camp out in the open and swim naked on Mylopotas beach. It was the youth island par excellence, rivalled only by Mykonos.
Sadly, around the turn of the century, things deteriorated: drunks caused havoc, stabbings started and drug dealers tried to convert the island into a new Ibiza. Just like in Ayia Napa in Cyprus, the authorities turned full circle and waged war against the lifeblood of their tourism: all young backpackers. Instead of embracing their culture and eradicating only the bad apples, they chopped off the whole tree: no late night music, no nudism, classical concerts and plays in a new theatre, an archaeological museum. Huh?
Well, families didn’t come; backpackers moved elsewhere; and ferries stopped anchoring as frequently. Ios still attracts a predominantly young crowd, but as in Ayia Napa, things aren’t what they used to be. Pity, coz the island is still one of my favourites in the Cyclades.
Have a look. [click on photos to enlarge]
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- Mylopotas beach, Ios
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- Yialos beach, Ios
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- Windmills and the old town, Hora, on Ios
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- The open air Ios Theatre over Mylopotas beach
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- T-shirt inscriptions. I particularly like the bottom right-hand one
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- Wise sign by a taverna, Ios
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- Sunset, Kumbara Beach, Ios
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- Sunset in my hand, Ios
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- Ios Sunset
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- Schooner at Ios port by night
Cheers, a very good read – added to bookmarks so will head back for new content and to read other people’s comments. Thanks again.
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any tips for inexperienced blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Sorry your comment must have been caught by the antispam filter 🙁 Glad you are enjoying the posts.
I think that if you have an interest and the desire to communicate it, you can and should start a blog about it. The worst that can happen is that you’ll find some virtual friends who share you interest – surely nothing wrong about that..
Your description of a clampdown is just a little harsh I think. Ios has indeed changed since the 1980s but away from the high season I still swim naked at Kolitsani and enjoy the nightlife in the village until 3am. It’s a unique place with a special ambiance. The Ios ethos lives on!
It is not just the Ios of of 1980s but also 1990s. Firstly, nudism is forbidden everywhere, where most other islands tolerate it. Who would have thought you can go naked on Naxos and not on Ios. Then there is the strict enforcement of the 3am law when bars have to close and people must go to the big clubs. Again this is not something that is enforced in say, Paros. What happened on Ios is similar to what the authorities did in Ayia Napa and are losing the young crowds and the possibility of being the new Mykonos or Ibiza.
I remember sleeping on Mylopotas beach in the late 70s. But I also remember a different amphitheater where they would play Dvorak’s New World Symphony. Wonderfull. But I can find no reference to that amphiteater. Was I dreaming….
The amphitheatre you refer to must be Ios Club which was established in the late 1970s. It is still going strong and attracts visitors for the sunset where classical music is still played. http://www.iosclub.gr/
I used to love to go to Ios… such a magical place!
I am trying to remember the name of the open air night club I used to visit every night. There were 3 – Skorpion, 69 and…. (or is my memory failing me??)
Thanks!!!
Maybe it was Ios Club?