Car & Van Hire - Chios

Chios is a fabulous destination if you're looking for an island rich in nature, heritage and gastronomy. It doesn't attract as many visitors as some other Greek islands, so it's ideal for those travellers who want to escape the crowds. Even in the height of summer, you'll be able to find enough space to relax by yourself on one of the island's beautiful beaches.

Beaches are, of course, always a major attraction for visitors to Greece. On Chios, there are more than 70 separate beaches, so you'll need quite a bit of time if you plan to see them all! One of the most popular is Komi Beach, which has soft golden sand. This is a hot spot for water sports, and you'll be able to rent a sea kayak or other sporting equipment. For something very different, try Mavra Volia. This dramatic beach is covered with black volcanic pebbles, giving it a distinctive, stunning appearance. The water is too deep for young children, and the pebbles mean you'll need appropriate footwear, but this unusual beach is certainly worth a visit.

While on the island, you can also explore Chios Town. A major highlight is its castle, which dates back to the year 1328. Incredibly, there are still peope living in houses within its walls. As you explore it, you can see various sights from the days of the Ottoman Empire: the "dark prison" where local Orthodox priests were imprisoned before their execution for heresy, the remains of a mosque and the old Ottoman bath house. There's also the interesting Church of St George, a former mosque that has been transformed into an Orthodox church.

Car hire in Chios will let you explore some fascinating old villages, preserved as they were in medieval times. One of the most interesting is Mesta Chios, which is heavily fortified to protect it from invaders. Wander its labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets and admire the old stone houses. While you're here, take a trip to the Agioi Taxiarches church, which still has some original wooden parts.

You can also use your car or van hire in Chios to go even further back in time. The Nea Moni monastery was built in 1042 and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its amazing collection of Byzantine mosaics. This is a monastery, so modest dress is required. Both men and women should ensure that their shoulders and knees are covered before going inside.

Outside of Chios Town, there is essentially no traffic on the island. Even in the town, you won't find much in the way of rush hour – which can make driving here a real pleasure!

There is also not much in the way of on-street parking in Chios Town, so look for a car park instead. There are two large free car parks near the coast, one on the north side of the city and the other on the south. There's also a central municipal car park next to the port. Elsewhere on the island, you will find a mixture of free parking and paid car parks. Always ensure you're carrying cash to pay the meter. In theory, meters will accept cards – but as you travel around, you'll soon realise that this isn't always the case.

Like most of the Greek islands, Chios is very mountainous. When you're driving outside towns, you can expect twisting mountain roads, often with tight curves. If you're a nervous driver, just take it slow. Watch out for mopeds on the mountain roads. They are very popular with locals, particularly youngsters, and can easily take you by surprise. If you find yourself making a tight turn in a blind spot, local etiquette dictates that you should honk your horn. This will let any approaching drivers know that you're coming.

The bonus of all these narrow mountain roads is that the views are quite spectacular! Many visitors to Chios like to drive slowly just to admire the scenery, and you'll find some spots along the island's roads where you can pull up and spend a few minutes gazing out over the Aegean Sea.

When driving across the island, animals can present a hazard. Herds of goats crossing the road are a common problem, and the best thing to do is just to be patient. You can try to carefully drive around them, but if the road is narrow, it's better to sit it out. Don't honk your horn to try to hurry them up – they are bold animals and will often respond aggressively to what they see as a threat.

There are a few petrol stations scattered around Chios. If you find that you need to fill up your tank, be sure to plan your route carefully. Petrol stations close at night, and the opening hours will vary slightly. Some stay open until 23:00, while others close as early as 20:00.