Faros Beach
Wild lighthouse cove with crystal-clear water and zero frills
About
is a raw, rocky 60-metre cove on the island of near Ios, crowned by an old lighthouse that watches over flat limestone shelves dropping into crystal-clear water. There is no sand here — just pale, wave-smoothed rock and the kind of silence that reminds you most of the Aegean is still untouched. The water is genuinely clear enough to watch fish move between boulders without a mask. No sunbeds, no beach bar, no umbrellas — nothing but the sea and the stone. It's wild in the best and most literal sense.
How to get there
The only way in is on foot. Park on the port road and follow the path from Ios Port — the walk takes around 25 minutes each way. There is no formal parking area; leave your vehicle along the port road before setting off. No entry fee applies, but the terrain is rocky and the final approach demands sure footing.
Who it's for
For couples
rewards couples who want genuine solitude — you're likely to have the entire cove to yourselves, with nothing but the lighthouse above and clear water below. It's an honest alternative to Ios's busier beaches, with a quiet drama that no sunbed beach can replicate.
For families
is not suitable for young children or anyone who needs easy beach access — the rocky terrain, difficult entry, and complete lack of facilities make it a poor fit for families with small kids. Kolitsani Beach, 2km away, is a far safer and more comfortable choice for families.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
is not a beach for everyone, and that's exactly the point. The 25-minute walk filters out anyone who isn't genuinely curious, and what you find at the end — flat limestone, crystal-clear water, an old lighthouse, and complete quiet — is the kind of place that feels increasingly rare in the Cyclades. Wear water shoes, carry your own water, and check the sea state before you commit to the rocky entry; swell can make it slippery and the exposed position means conditions change fast. Come between June and September, go early, and stay as long as you like. You'll almost certainly have it to yourself.
What to do
After your swim, the whitewashed hilltop capital of Ios — Ios Chora — is worth the short trip, about 3km away, for its labyrinthine alleys and views. Kolitsani Beach, 2km back toward the port, offers a sheltered sandy cove with calm shallow water if you want a contrast to 's rocky character. The iconic Windmills of Ios are 2.5km away and make for an easy afternoon detour on your way back through the port road.
The lighthouse framed against the sky from the flat limestone shelves below is the defining shot — get low on the rock for a strong foreground.
The water's edge where clear water meets pale stone offers clean, graphic compositions with no tourist infrastructure to crop out.
Where to eat
Polydoros, about 1.1km away, is the closest option once you're back from the cove. For something with a maritime focus, Koubara Seafood Restaurant is 1.2km away and leans into the island's fishing tradition. La Randa and Enigma are both around 1.5km out if you want more variety after the walk.
Where to stay
AGALIA is the closest base at 1.1km, well-positioned for an early-morning walk to the cove before the sun gets high. Hotel Mare Monte, Yialos Ios Hotel, Kritikakis Village, and Corali Hotel Ios are all within 1.8km and give you easy access to both the port and the path to.
Photography
The best shot is from the limestone shelves looking back up at the old lighthouse — shoot in the early morning when the light is low and the water takes on its clearest tone. Late afternoon works well too for warm side-lighting across the flat rock surfaces and the contrast between pale stone and deep water.
Good to know
Water shoes are not optional — the rocky entry is uneven and can be slippery when swell pushes in, so wear them from the moment you leave the path. Bring all the water and food you need; there is zero infrastructure on site and no shade whatsoever. If the lighthouse structure is fenced off, do not enter it — respect the boundary and stay on the open limestone shelves. Avoid visiting between November and March: rough seas and deteriorating path conditions make access genuinely dangerous in winter.
Map
Nearby places
Polydoros
Koubara Seafood Restaurant
Vemezxo
La Randa
Enigma
AGALIA
Hotel Mare Monte
Yialos Ios Hotel
Kritikakis Village
Corali Hotel Ios
Things to see around Ios
Ios Port (Ormos)
The main port of Ios with ferry connections and waterfront tavernas.
Ios Chora
The whitewashed hilltop capital of Ios.
Kolitsani Beach
Sheltered sandy cove below the port road with calm shallow water.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Nearest beaches
Other wild beaches in Greece
More beaches in Cyclades
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