Kolitsani Beach
Golden sand and calm water right beside the port
About
sits just a short walk from Ios Port, tucked against a rocky frame that shelters it from open-sea swells. The golden sand meets turquoise water in a shallow, gentle entry that stays calm even when the Aegean is restless elsewhere. It's quiet by Ios standards — easy to reach, easy to enjoy, without the effort of hunting down a remote cove. The rocky surroundings give it a defined, intimate feel, and the water's clarity makes it genuinely inviting for a spontaneous swim.
How to get there
Walk from Ios Port (Ormos) in about 15 minutes along a straightforward route you can do daily. If you're driving, park near the road above the beach — limited free spaces are available — then follow a short rocky path down for 5 to 10 minutes. There's no entry fee.
Who it's for
For couples
The quiet atmosphere and sheltered turquoise water make it a low-key spot for a slow morning swim before the rest of Ios wakes up — no performance, no scene, just calm water and golden sand.
For families
Shallow entry and calm, sheltered water are the real draw here for families — young children can wade in safely, and the short 15-minute walk from the port keeps logistics simple. Just time your swim around the ferry arrivals.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
won't show up on the Ios highlight reel — and that's exactly the point. It's a genuinely calm, golden-sand beach that happens to sit minutes from the port, which means you can be in the water before most visitors have figured out the bus schedule. The shallow, sheltered entry is safe for swimmers of all levels, though you must stay out of the water when ferries are arriving — the surge is real and not worth ignoring. It won't replace a full day at Mylopotas, but as a quiet morning swim or a late-afternoon wind-down, it delivers without demanding anything from you. Worth the short walk.
What to do
The whitewashed hilltop capital, Ios Chora, is about 2 km away and worth the walk for its windmills, churches, and views. History fans can visit the Skarkos Early Bronze Age Settlement, an excavated Early Cycladic site also around 2 km from the beach. If you want a longer stretch of sand with full facilities, Mylopotas Beach — Ios's main 1.2 km golden-sand beach — is 3 km away and a solid half-day trip.
Position yourself at the rocky edges on either side of the beach to frame the golden sand and turquoise water in a single shot — the natural rock acts as a foreground anchor.
The view back toward the port with the calm water in the foreground works well at golden hour when the light warms the sand.
Where to eat
La Buca is the closest option at 0.6 km, followed by a cluster of restaurants — Ciao Bella, Lotus, Chilli Pepper, and Escape — all within 0.7 km of the beach. It's an easy walk back up toward the port area to find a meal, so there's no need to pack a full picnic.
Where to stay
Blue Horizon Ios is the nearest hotel at 0.4 km, making it a practical base if you want to roll out of bed and be on the sand quickly. Avanti and Lofos Village are both 0.5 km away, with Hotel Mediterraneo and Hotel Petradi rounding out the options within 0.7 km.
Photography
Shoot from the rocky edges framing the beach in the early morning when the turquoise water catches low golden light and the port activity hasn't yet picked up. The contrast between the golden sand, the rocky frame, and the calm water makes a clean, uncluttered composition — face away from the port for the most natural shot.
Good to know
Ferry wash from arriving vessels can push a brief surge into the water — stay out of the sea while ferries are docking or departing, and keep an eye on the port schedule. The path down from the road is rocky, so wear shoes with grip; the surface hasn't been confirmed as wheelchair-accessible. Because it stays quiet even with the port nearby, early morning is the best window for undisturbed golden sand and glassy water.
Map
Nearby places
Blue Horizon Ios
Avanti
Lofos village
Hotel Mediterraneo
Hotel Petradi
Things to see around Ios
Ios Chora
The whitewashed hilltop capital of Ios with windmills, churches, and nightlife.
Skarkos Early Bronze Age Settlement
Excavated Early Cycladic settlement near Chora.
Mylopotas Beach
The main 1.2 km golden-sand beach of Ios with full facilities and watersports.
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 family beaches in Greece
More beaches in Cyclades
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — Sgroey · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 2 — RoyBatty8888 · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 3 — keivi · source · CC BY-ND 2.0
- Photo 4 — alandot · source · CC BY-ND 2.0
- Photo 5 — dronepicr · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 6 — Olaf Tausch · source · CC BY 3.0