First, there’s the setting: a very wide and long sandy beach at the foot of a sheltered bay surrounded by tall rugged mountains. Second, there’s the convenient location: the beach sits within reasonable — and very scenic — walking distance of Chora (it’s just a short ride away by regular local bus service for those who don’t want to walk there). Third, there’s the amenities: water sports and beach club facilities, rental lounge chairs and umbrellas, hotels and rooms, plus a good selection of mini markets, bars and tavernas. There’s even a bakery beside the beach!
During the five days we spent on Ios in May, Mylopotas was fairly sedate. Large sections of beach were empty, some of the water sports activity centers were still just setting up for the season, and only a few dozen lounge chairs were occupied on the entire beach. Mylopotas was busiest near the Far Out Club, but even that area wasn’t anywhere close to being crowded. And though there was music playing at the Far Out pool and bar terrace, and at the water sports center out front, it wasn’t very loud, and the party scene at the club seemed pretty tame. I’m sure it’s a completely different story during peak season, when the entire place is rocking with wall-to-wall people and parties, but in May it was a great spot to just relax and soak up the sun.
Mylopotas now ranks as one of my favourite Greek Island beaches, too. Below is a series of photos of Mylopotas:
Overlooking Mylopotas beach and bay from a mountaintop above Chora
That’s me on a hillside overlooking Mylopotas beach and bay
A boat in the calm, clear turquoise waters of Mylopotas bay
Arriving at Mylopotas beach from a footpath that descends the mountainside — a shortcut from the main road that winds down a longer route in the valley
One of the “busier” sections of Mylopotas beach, with little more than a dozen sunbathers occupying lounge chairs …
… but only steps away, there were plenty of vacant umbrellas on the soft sand
Two motorboats in the bay near the far end of Mylopotas beach
Going for a dip in the warm, crystal-clear sea
A huge swath of beach is virtually empty
A look at the tall mountains surrounding Mylopotas valley, beach and bay
A view of the beach from a seaside table at Drakos Taverna
Drakos Taverna and Psili Ammos Rooms at the far end of Mylopotas beach
One of the popular water sports activities at Mylopotas beach
A shade tree on the beach
A lifeguard station on an empty section of beach is occupied by a sunbather
The busiest part of the beach was the section directly in front of the Far Out Club
The beach isn’t even remotely crowded in May, which is low season for travel
Chora is just over the mountains at the northwest end of the beach
The sandy beach cuts a long golden arc at the foot of Mylopotas bay
A group of friends enjoying Mylopotas
Sunbeds and a boardwalk on an almost empty section of beach
One of the water sports activity centers on Mylopotas beach
Boats anchored in the bay near the far end of the beach
Sunbeds and a water sports facility near the Far Out Club
There’s a variety of restaurants and bars along the beach — plus a bakery
In May, there’s plenty of room for swimming and playing in the sand
A view of hotels on the mountainside to the north of the beach
Mylopotas has long, wide stretches of soft golden sand as well as sections like this one with coarser sand and tiny pebbles … but it’s still comfortable to walk the entire length of beach in bare feet
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A beach volleyball game at the water sports activity center near the Far Out Club
That’s me shooting some photos from a rocky hillside overlooking the beach, near the Harmony restaurant and beach bar
A sunset view of Mylopotas Bay from the seaside terrace at Drakos Taverna
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