The ultimate day trip escape to Chios from Turkey

Looking for a quick island escape while vacationing in Turkey? Just across the Aegean from the lively resort town of Çeşme lies Chios, a Greek island renowned for its medieval villages, golden beaches, and mouthwatering food. The best part? You can easily explore and get a mastic-flavored taste of the island in a day.

With daily ferries running between Turkish and Greek ports, planning a day trip to Chios from Turkey couldn’t be easier. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get from Çeşme to Chios, what to do once you land, what to see, where to swim, what to eat, and how to make it back in time for your Turkish dinner plans. Let’s dive in!

• Getting to Chios
• Sightseeing in Chios
• Where to go for a swim
• Time for lunch, Chios style
• Return to Turkey
• Top travel tips

Getting to Chios by ferry

Chios is just 9 nautical miles (around 16 km) from Çeşme, so traveling from Turkey to the Greek island is straightforward and fast. The Çeşme-Chios ferries run every day of the year, with up to 3 daily crossings during the summer and a travel time of 17 to 40 minutes. The first ferries of the day usually set sail from Çeşme at 08:45 and 9:20, so you can be in Chios town by 10:00. Ticket prices typically start at around €36.

Pro tip: most ferry companies have special offers when you book a round-trip ticket.

Chios is a stone's throw from Turkey

Sightseeing in Chios

After a short ride on the ferry across the Aegean, you dock at the main port of Chios, on the eastern shores of the island. Once you disembark, grab a quick drink at a seaside café, you have a couple of options:

Explore Chios town

The capital town of Chios is full of colorful alleys and neoclassical architecture, but look beneath the surface and you will discover its rich history. One of the first major attractions in Chios is the Castle of Chios, just a couple of minutes from the port. The castle was originally built by the Byzantines in the 10th century CE, then fortified by Genoese rulers and later the Ottoman Empire. 

Tucked inside the thick stone walls of the medieval citable, you’ll find the Church of St. George, the atmospheric Turkish Baths, and the small but fascinating Giustiniani Palace, which often hosts rotating exhibitions. The Byzantine Museum, on the southeastern end of the central square in town, is housed in the former Mecidiye Mosque and charts the Christian, Byzantine, Genoese and Ottoman eras of the island.

If you're in the mood for something more bookish, swing by the Korais Library, one of the oldest in Greece, which houses rare manuscripts and centuries-old editions. Nearby, you’ll also find the local Museum of History and Physics and the Chios Maritime Museum, where you can discover more about life on the island through the ages.

The medieval Castle of Chios is still standing tall

Visit the Chios mastic villages

If you're itching to stretch your legs (or wheels), then the mastic villages of Chios are your next stop. These villages are in the southeastern side of the island, so you’ll either need to rent a car, hop on a KTEL bus, or grab a taxi from the port. These villages are home to the island’s most prized export: mastic, the resin that’s been harvested on the island for centuries and has flavored everything you can think of, from liqueurs to toothpaste and beyond. 

Start with Pyrgi, easily one of the most Instagrammable places on the island, with buildings covered in intricate black-and-white geometric designs known as xysta. To really get what all the fuss is all about, swing by the Chios Mastic Museum, a short drive from the village, where you can discover how this sticky gold shaped local life, history, and even medicine.

Finally, for a different side of Chios, head to Mesta, about a 15-minute drive west. This fortified medieval village is built like a labyrinth to keep pirates at bay, so it’s the perfect spot to get lost in the stone alleys, hidden squares, and cozy cafés that feel like they have been frozen in time.

All buildings in Pyrgi are decorated with a unique razzle-dazzle style

Where to go for a swim

After some solid sightseeing, whether in town or further away, it’s time to cool off island-style and lucky for you Chios has a beach for every mood. If you’re not looking to stray too far, Bella Vista Beach is practically a stone’s throw from the port. While this beach is not huge, it is surprisingly quiet and perfect for some sunbathing or a midday swim. 

A short taxi ride south of town gets you to Karfas Beach, one of the most popular on the island, thanks to its shallow waters and soft golden sand. There are plenty of cafés and beach bars around the shore to get a frappé or freddo espresso ice coffee to instantly blend in!

Should you be craving something a bit more scenic, then you can’t go wrong with Agia Fotini (or Agia Fotia), about 15-20 minutes by car from Chios town. This pebbly beach is surrounded by traditional summer homes and has waters that practically sparkle, making it ideal to just kick back and soak in the Aegean ambiance! You can also try some water sports here, if you want to add a dash of adrenaline to your day on the beach.

Finally, if you're up for a mini road trip across Chios, Komi Beach is about 30 minutes away, with laid-back beach bars, loungers, and a long stretch of shoreline that doesn’t get too packed even in summer. 

Alternatively, if you’ve opted to visit the Mastic villages, you can make your way to Agia Dinami, about 15 minutes from Mesta and Pyrgi. This quiet beach has become a favorite with locals and visitors alike thanks to its turquoise waters, white sand and fine pebbles. Keep in mind though, that this beach is not organized, so there are few facilities and amenities around.

The turquoise waters at Agia Dinami are worth the trip!

Time for lunch, Chios style!

After an entire day of exploring medieval ruins, wandering through mastic villages, and stretching out on the beach, it’s time to sit back and dig into the local flavors. Chios is a bit of a foodie's playground, blending Greek tradition and Asia Minor influences, with a few mastic-infused surprises thrown in for good measure.

Every meal should start with mastelo, a soft sheep-and-goat cheese often served grilled to golden perfection or kopanisti, a spicy cheese dip, spread on some freshly baked country bread. Follow that up with some fresh seafood, such as grilled octopus, fresh sardines, and stuffed calamari that are often caught that morning and served up in many tavernas by the sea. 

If you are after something a bit lighter, at most eateries also you will find malathropita (savory fennel pie) and sfougato, a local style omelette with cheese and local herbs. Top it all off with a shot of mastiha liqueur, a scoop of kaimaki ice cream or a loukoumi (Turkish delight’s Greek cousin), and you've officially dined like a local!

Whatever you decide, try to pick a taverna by the sea

Return to Turkey

As the sun begins to dip in the horizon, it's time to make your way back to the port and your return to Turkey. The last daily Chios to Çeşme ferry usually sets sail at around 18:00, however, during the summer, there are also a few earlier crossings at 17:00 and 17:30. The trip back to Turkey generally takes 17 to 40 minutes, depending on the ferry and company, with tickets priced from €30.

Did you pick up mastic-flavored loukoumia for the ride back?

Top travel tips

• The ports of Çeşme and Chios can get a bit busy, especially during the summer, so plan your arrival there at least 30 minutes before your ferry is scheduled to depart.
• You usually have the option between high-speed catamarans, which cover the distance in 20 minutes or less, and conventional ferries that need 30-40 minutes for the trip.
• As you will be crossing the international border between Greece and Turkey, you will need to bring along the necessary travel documents, such as a valid passport. You can find more information in our guide on Greece - Turkey ferries.
• You can easily get around Chios town on foot, however, there is also a local bus system that can take you to many areas around town, while the intercity bus (KTEL) regularly connects the island capital to other villages.
• If you plan on visiting villages and beaches beyond Chios, we recommend bringing your car or motorbike on the ferry for greater autonomy. Alternatively, there are rental agencies near the port, or you can hire a taxi.

Until next time Chios!

So, are you ready to trade in the beauty of the Turkish Riviera for the iconic allure of the Greek islands for a day? Start by visualizing your trip on our Map of ferries, then book your ferry tickets to Chios from Turkey with no hidden costs!