{"id":1698626,"date":"2026-11-03T12:48:51","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T11:48:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/?p=1698626"},"modified":"2026-11-03T12:48:51","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T11:48:51","slug":"harbour-ios-cyclades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/segelmagazin\/hafen-ios-kykladen\/","title":{"rendered":"Ios Harbour in the Cyclades: Getting There, Harbour Information and Sailing Destinations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The harbour of Ios lies in the port town of Ormos on the west coast of the Cycladic island of Ios, between Santorini, Paros and Naxos. Here you can read how to get to Ios via Santorini or Piraeus, where the yachts moor in the harbour, where to shop and park, what winds to expect, which sailing destinations are nearby and what skippers should know.<\/p>\n<h2>The essentials at a glance<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Ios has no airport. The nearest one is on Santorini, and from there the ferry takes anything from 35 minutes to just under two hours to reach Ios, depending on the vessel.<\/li>\n<li>Ferries run from Piraeus to Ios all year round, taking between a good four and just under ten hours, depending on the vessel.<\/li>\n<li>The yachts moor in the marina right next to the ferry quay. Car parks are around 200 to 250 metres away, and two supermarkets are around 850 metres and 1 kilometre to the east.<\/li>\n<li>You can get fuel, water and electricity at the marina.<\/li>\n<li>From mid-May to mid-September, the meltemi, a strong, dry northerly wind, blows repeatedly in the Aegean.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Where is the harbour of Ios?<\/h2>\n<p>In Ios, yachts moor in Marina Ios in the port town of Ormos, only a few steps from the ferry quay. From your berth you look up to the Chora, the main town, whose white houses stretch all the way down to the harbour.<\/p>\n<p>Ios, called Nios by the locals, is one of the Cyclades in the southern Aegean. Santorini lies to the south, Paros and Naxos to the north. All ferries calling at Ios dock at Ormos.<\/p>\n<p>The harbour is run by the municipal port fund of Ios (Dimotiko Limeniko Tameio Iou). The harbour authority (Limenarchio) of Ios, an office of the Greek Coast Guard, is responsible for safety and order in the harbour.<\/p>\n<h2>Arriving in Ios for the start of your sailing trip<\/h2>\n<p>You always reach Ios by sea: either fly to Santorini or Mykonos and continue by ferry, or take the ferry directly from Piraeus.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1698510\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/toernfinder-ios-chora-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Church in the Chora of Ios\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/toernfinder-ios-chora-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/toernfinder-ios-chora-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/toernfinder-ios-chora-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/toernfinder-ios-chora-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/toernfinder-ios-chora-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/toernfinder-ios-chora.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>By air via Santorini or Mykonos<\/h3>\n<p>Ios has no airport of its own, only a helipad. The nearest airport is Santorini. It takes about 50 minutes to fly there from Athens, and about an hour and a half from Thessaloniki.<\/p>\n<p>As things stand today (November 2026), ferries run between Santorini and Ios all year round, several times a day in high season. Fast ferries cover the route in about 35 minutes, while conventional ferries take up to just under two hours.<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, you can fly to Mykonos, which takes about 45 minutes from Athens. The ferry from Mykonos to Ios takes between about 1 hour 25 minutes and 2 hours 40 minutes.<\/p>\n<h3>By ferry from Piraeus<\/h3>\n<p>Ferries run to Ios all year round from Piraeus, the great port of Athens. As things stand (November 2026), there are up to five departures a day in summer. Fast catamarans take from about 4 hours 15 minutes, while conventional ferries take up to almost ten hours, depending on the route. How often the ships sail depends on the time of year. In Piraeus, ferries to Ios usually depart from Gates E6 or E7; your ticket is what counts.<\/p>\n<p>On Ios, all ferries arrive in the port of Ormos. If you travel by ferry, you will be almost at the marina as soon as you step off.<\/p>\n<h3>Getting around the island<\/h3>\n<p>Ios has an island bus (KTEL) that serves most places on the island, telephone +30 22860 92015. There are also taxis, whose numbers are given on the municipality's page of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ios.gr\/%cf%87%cf%81%ce%ae%cf%83%ce%b9%ce%bc%ce%b1-%cf%84%ce%b7%ce%bb%ce%ad%cf%86%cf%89%ce%bd%ce%b1\/\">important telephone numbers<\/a> . A hiking trail maintained by the municipality leads from the Chora down to the harbour and on to Valmas beach.<\/p>\n<h3>Parking<\/h3>\n<p>There is parking in Ormos close to the marina: one car park about 200 metres to the southeast and another about 250 metres to the northeast. Further away, there are car parks about 500 and about 750 metres from the marina.<\/p>\n<h3>Shopping for the trip<\/h3>\n<p>You can buy your provisions in the village. The Rollan supermarket is about 850 metres east of the marina and the Aegean market about 1 kilometre east. You can reach both on foot. You can also buy groceries at the marina.<\/p>\n<h3>Doctor, pharmacy and emergency services<\/h3>\n<p>The Ios health centre (Kentro Ygeias) is only about 300 metres northeast of the marina, telephone +30 2286 360000. There are two pharmacies in the village, about 800 and about 900 metres east of the marina. Their telephone numbers are +30 22860 91562 and +30 22860 92100.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>112: European emergency number<\/li>\n<li>108: Emergency number of the Greek Coast Guard, also for emergencies at sea; at sea also VHF channel 16<\/li>\n<li>Ios Police: +30 22860 91222<\/li>\n<li>Ios Port Authority: +30 22860 91264<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What does the port of Ios offer?<\/h2>\n<p>The port of Ios is a ferry port, fishing harbour and yacht harbour all in one. Yachts berth in the port's marina, while the ferries use the quay next door.<\/p>\n<h3>Equipment<\/h3>\n<p>At the marina, you can refuel, take on water and use shore power. Outside the marina, there are several petrol stations in the village, including one with a chandlery about 950 metres to the northeast.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Feature<\/th>\n<th>Details<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Location<\/td>\n<td>Port town of Ormos, west coast of the island of Ios (Cyclades)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Type<\/td>\n<td>Ferry port, fishing harbour and yacht harbour with marina<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Operator<\/td>\n<td>Municipal Port Fund of Ios<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Responsible authority<\/td>\n<td>Ios Port Authority (Coast Guard), telephone +30 22860 91264<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>VHF<\/td>\n<td>Channel 16 (emergency and calling channel of the coast guard)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Facilities<\/td>\n<td>Fuel, water, electricity, groceries<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Ferry from Piraeus<\/td>\n<td>all year round, about 4 to 10 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Ferry from Santorini<\/td>\n<td>all year round, about 35 minutes to 2 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>What wind can you expect on Ios?<\/h2>\n<p>In summer, the Meltemi determines the sailing weather in the Aegean. It is a strong, dry northerly wind that blows periodically from about mid-May to mid-September. Among the Cyclades, wind channels and eddies form in the lee of the islands, which can even be seen on satellite images.<\/p>\n<h2>Which sailing destinations can you reach from Ios?<\/h2>\n<p>Around Ios, several Cycladic islands lie within a day's sail.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Santorini<\/strong>: The neighbouring island to the south is also quickly reached by ferry; high-speed ferries take only about 35 minutes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Naxos<\/strong>: The island lies north of Ios. The ferry runs all year round, up to five times a day in summer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Paros<\/strong>: The island north of Ios is connected by ferry all year round, up to six times a day in summer. The ferries dock in the main harbour of Parikia, from where you can walk into the town.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sikinos<\/strong>: The small neighbouring island is the closest island to Ios. The ferry takes only about 25 minutes on average and runs several times a week all year round.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Folegandros<\/strong>: You can reach the island west of Sikinos by ferry in about 40 minutes to just under an hour and a half, also several times a week all year round.<\/p>\n<p>For sailing trips that start or end on the coast of Attica, our profiles of the <a href=\"\/en\/sailing-magazine\/marina-alimos-athens\/\">Marina Alimos in Athens<\/a> The SSS and the <a href=\"\/en\/sailing-magazine\/harbours-lavrio-athens\/\">Harbours of Lavrio<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>What can you do on a day in port on Ios?<\/h2>\n<p>You don't need to go far for a day in port: Chora lies directly above the harbour, and the municipality has laid out a network of short walking trails, most of which start in the main town.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Chora<\/strong>: The main town stretches from the hill down to the harbour, with white houses, narrow lanes, twelve windmills and churches with blue domes. At the very top stands the church of Panagia Gremiotissa right on the edge of the cliff, with a wide view over the sea. On 15 August the town celebrates its church festival here, with a procession and music until morning.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Skarkos<\/strong>: Not far from the harbour, near the hill of Chora, lie the remains of an Early Cycladic settlement dating from around 2800 BC, with two-storey houses and drainage channels. The excavation site was recognised by the EU and Europa Nostra for its restoration.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Theatre and museum<\/strong>: A walking trail maintained by the municipality leads from Chora past the windmills to the Odysseas Elytis Theatre, which looks out over Chora and Mylopotas beach, and on to the Gaitis-Simossi Museum, which is dedicated to the Greek painter Gaitis.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Koumbara<\/strong>: The small village with its sandy beach lies very close to the harbour, with accommodation, restaurants and tavernas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Paleokastro and Homer's tomb<\/strong>: For a trip inland, the ruins of the Byzantine castle of Paleokastro, about 18 kilometres from the harbour, are well worth a visit, with views as far as Paros, Naxos and Amorgos, as is the tomb that, according to tradition, belongs to Homer. It lies in the north of the island on a hill above the bay of Plakotos.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Museums<\/strong>: Ios also has an Archaeological Museum, telephone +30 22860 91246, and a Folklore Museum.<\/p>\n<h2>For skippers: mooring and marine weather in Ios<\/h2>\n<p>In Ios you moor in the marina of the harbour at Ormos. Channel 16 is the distress and calling channel of the Greek coastguard.<\/p>\n<h3>Mooring and supplies<\/h3>\n<p>The harbour has its own mooring hand, who is also responsible for the harbour. In the marina you can take on fuel, water and electricity, and stock up on provisions.<\/p>\n<h3>Approach<\/h3>\n<p>The harbour is shared by yachts, fishing boats and the ferries, which come and go all year round and several times a day in summer. So expect ferry traffic when entering and leaving.<\/p>\n<p>As things stand (November 2026), the harbour is being extended: about 15 metres west of the existing ferry quay, a new, angled quay is being built for vessels with a total length of around 183 metres. The construction period is set at 18 months, and work is suspended during the tourist season. Outside the tourist season there may be construction work in the area of the ferry quay.<\/p>\n<h3>Formalities in Greece<\/h3>\n<p>Sport boats over seven metres in Greek waters are subject to the monthly TEPAI yacht fee. For private boats it is paid by the owner, holder or user, and for commercial yachts by the owner or operator. The rates are 16 to 33 euros per month for boats up to 12 metres, and 8 euros per metre of length per month above that. Payment is made in advance, before the start of the month or at the latest on entering Greek waters (as of November 2026). The details can be found in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aade.gr\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-02\/FAQs_e-tepai.pdf\">FAQ of the Greek tax authority on TEPAI<\/a> (in Greek).<\/p>\n<h3>Which marine weather forecast applies around Ios?<\/h3>\n<p>The marine weather forecast of the Greek meteorological service EMY (in English HNMS) is the authoritative one.<\/p>\n<h2>Sailing trips from Ios on T\u00f6rnfinder<\/h2>\n<p>An overview of offers throughout the country can be found under <a href=\"\/en\/cabin-charter-greece\/\">Sailing in Greece<\/a>, sailing trips through the Cyclades and the rest of the islands at <a href=\"\/en\/cabin-charter-aegean\/\">Sailing in the Aegean<\/a>. All dates are listed under <a href=\"\/en\/sailing-trips\/\">Trips<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>How do I get to Ios?<\/h3>\n<p>By ship, as Ios has no airport. The quickest way is to fly to Santorini and take the ferry from there, which reaches Ios in 35 minutes to just under two hours, depending on the vessel. Ferries run from Piraeus all year round, taking a little over four to just under ten hours, depending on the vessel.<\/p>\n<h3>Where do I park at the start of the trip in Ios?<\/h3>\n<p>The nearest car parks are about 200 metres south-east and about 250 metres north-east of the marina, with more about 500 and 750 metres away.<\/p>\n<h3>Is there a supermarket near the harbour in Ios?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. The Rollan supermarket is about 850 metres from the marina, and the Aegean market is about 1 kilometre to the east. You can also buy groceries in the marina itself.<\/p>\n<h3>Is there a doctor on Ios?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. The Ios health centre is about 300 metres from the marina, telephone +30 2286 360000. In an emergency, dial 112, or 108 for the coastguard at sea.<\/p>\n<h3>How long does the ferry from Ios to Santorini take?<\/h3>\n<p>About 35 minutes by high-speed ferry, and up to just under two hours by conventional ferry. Santorini lies south of Ios.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I refuel at Ios Marina?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. You can get fuel, water and electricity at the marina. There is also a petrol station with boat supplies in the village, about 950 metres to the north-east.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Der Hafen von Ios: Anreise \u00fcber Santorini oder Pir\u00e4us, Liegeplatz in der Marina von Ormos, Einkauf, Wind und T\u00f6rnziele bis Naxos.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":1698509,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_tf_mag_toernhinweis":"aegaeis","footnotes":""},"categories":[536],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1698626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviere-haefen","category-536","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1698626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1698626"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1698626\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1698630,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1698626\/revisions\/1698630"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1698509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1698626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1698626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1698626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}