Greek Islands
Ios

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Milopotas beach, aka Milopotamos, Ios.

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Ios - just north of Santorini - has a reputation as a wild party island which it happily fulfills from mid-July to August, though only in Ios town, aka 'The Village.' Things can get out of control at that time, with ugly rumours of bad booze and worse violence, but during the remaining summer months Ios is a charming, tranquil island featuring two of Greece's best beaches.

Milopotas Beach [sometimes known as Milopotamos] is big and sheltered, with superb soft sand and plenty of good tavernas, alternative cafés, camp sites and discreet hotels nearby. Watersports facilities are also available. Milopotas is only just outside the main town, an easy stagger after a night partying.
Ios does have a bigger, better beach, Manganari, but it's 22km [14m] of hellish off road travel or a boat journey to get there, and facilities are either very posh or basic, though new road construction is underway and Manganari will really open up when it's finished. Currently Ios agencies run buses there from around 11am.

A couple of don'ts:
Don't drink Bombas, they're cheap but probably mixed with surgical spirit or perhaps nail varnish; you'll get drunk very fast and spend days regretting it.
Don't try sleeping rough, especially on the beaches, this is no longer tolerated by the police.
Don't be casual with your valuables, theft is a problem during the height of summer.

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