Greece - Korina Miller [493]
Karfas Beach is served by the blue (city) bus company, with schedules posted at both the local bus station ( 22710 22079) and the long-distance bus station in Chios Town.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
The reliable Chandris Rent a Car ( 22710 27194, 6944972051; info@chandrisrentacar.gr; Porfyra 5) is Chios Town’s best agency, with vehicles from €30 per day. The friendly and experienced Kostas Chandris gladly provides general island information.
TAXI
A taxi rank ( 22710 41111) is on Plateia Vounakiou in Chios Town.
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CHIOS TOWN
pop 23,780
The island’s port and capital (also called Chios) is on the central east coast, and home to almost half of the inhabitants. Like many island capitals, it features a long waterfront lined with cafes and a noisy boulevard hugging the water. Behind it, however, is a quieter, intriguing old quarter, where some lingering traditional Turkish houses stand around a Genoese castle and city walls. There’s also a fun market area, and spacious public gardens where an open-air cinema operates in summer. The nearest decent beach is Karfas, 6km south.
Orientation
Most ferries dock at the waterfront’s northern end; north of this is the old Turkish quarter, Kastro. From the ferry, turn left and follow the waterfront to reach the centre. Turn right onto Kanari for the central square, Plateia Vounakiou. Northwest of it are the public gardens; southeast is the market area. Facing inland, the local bus station is right of the public gardens; the long-distance bus station is to the left. Most hotels are near the waterfront, opposite the port.
Information
BOOKSHOPS
News Stand ( 22710 43464; cnr Leoforos Egeou & Rodokanaki) Sells multilingual papers and books, including Lonely Planet guides.
EMERGENCY
Chios General Hospital ( 22710 44302; El Venizelou 7) About 2km north of the centre.
Police ( 22710 44427; cnr Polemidi 1 & Koundouriotou)
Tourist police ( 22710 44427; Neorion)
INTERNET ACCESS
InSpot Internet Café ( 22710 83438; Leoforos Egeou 86; per hr €2.50; 24hr)
MONEY
ATM-equipped banks line the waterfront and plateia.
POST
Post office ( 22710 44350; Omirou 2; 7.30am-7pm) One block behind the waterfront.
TELEPHONE
OTE (Dimokratias Roidou) Public telephone.
TOURIST INFORMATION
ENA Chios Development Corporation ( 22710 44830; www.chios.gr, www.enachios.gr; Agios Isodoros, Petrokokklinou, Kampos) This official tourism information unit in Kampos, financed by the prefecture of Chios, offers free tours with professional guides to Kampos, Anavatos, Olympi, Nea Moni and Chios Castle.
Municipal Tourist Office ( 22710 44389; infochio@otenet.gr; Kanari 18; 7am-10pm Apr-Oct, until 4pm Nov-Mar) Information on accommodation, car hire, bus and boat schedules, plus a useful free book, Hiking Routes of Chios.
Port Authority ( 22710 44432; Neorion)
Thomas Karamouslis ( 22710 22838, 6937786213) Affable Thomas has a vast knowledge of the history of Chios, Greece and more, and leads guided tours of important cultural monuments for the ENA Chios Development Corporation (see opposite). A man of impeccable manner and wide learning, he recounts the island’s history from a refreshingly objective (and often humorous) perspective.
TRAVEL AGENCIES
Hatzelenis Tours ( 22710 20002; mano2@otenet.gr; Leoforos Aigaiou 2) Opposite the port, this dependable full-service travel agency sells ferry and air tickets, plans excursions, finds accommodation and offers car hire.
Sights
The Filippos Argentis Museum ( 22710 23463; Korais; admission €1.50; 8am-2pm Mon-Fri, 5-7.30pm Fri, 8am-12.30pm Sat), located beside the impressive Korais Library, contains displays of embroideries, traditional costumes and portraits of the wealthy Argentis family. Born in Marseilles in 1891, Argentis