Locals refer to Chios town as "Chora". Half of the island's population (totally 52.000) is living in Chios. Chios town has the main port of the island and there is also an international airport. The main attractions are : Archaeological Museum of Chios, Byzantine Museum of Chios Castle of Chios, Korais Library, Palace of Giustiniani, Maritime Museum of Chios Osmaniye Mosque, Saint Nicholas Catholic Church. A quite interesting place is the "Lepra Station" of Chios. The beginnings go back to the year 1378, it was closed in 1958. Since then it has been dawning and deteriorating more and more. If you want to spend some days in Chios Town I recommend the stylish family hotel "Chios City Inn", operated by George Missetzis family. If you are looking for a change from the rustic Greek cuisine, I recommend the Italian restaurant "The Pastards". Excellent Greek cuisine is served in "Hotzas".

There are 2 routes to visit the northern area. The west route around Mount Amani and the eastern route around Mount Pellineo. Anavatos is a Medieval - Byzantine tower-village in the central region of Chios. It is quite impressive as it plunges into a large granite rock at the top of the cliff. Although it is a deserted village, it still preserves its history, a sensation often encountered by visitors when wondering through its stone-paved streets. It is a historic site, as it played an important role in the Greek War of Independence (1821) and the Massacre of 1822. Vollisos is the main village on the nothwest coast. There is a winery "Kefalas Estate" and a nice restaurant "Fabrika". Once it was an oil mill, press and appliances are still available. In the village Egrigoros you can visit the interesting winery "Ariousios". In the village Pitious you can visit the renovated (but closed) tower and the Makellos tavern. On the north coast, in Agiasmata, you can bathe in thermal springs. On the east coast, in Kardamyla there is a beautiful village square with mighty plane trees and old partly dilapidated stone houses. Lagkada further south is very popular because of the many fish restaurants (very good : O Passas).

Chios is famous for the Mastic trees. Mastic is a resin obtained from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). The biggest mastic village is Pyrgi, lively and famous for the decorations (sgraffito) on the houses. Olympi and Mesta are both medieval fortress towns pretty much intact. In Mesta there was a very popular tavern (O Mesaionas). The tough, admirable owner and "power woman" Despina, unfortunately emigrated to USA. You can read her family history (only German) in Caroline Wenzel's "Süsse Zitronen und bittere Lieder". Update : Luckily Despina is back and has reopened "O Mesaionas" near the parking lot !!