The island

Ios is a Cycladic island in the Aegean Sea, set between Naxos and Santorini (and close to Paros and Sikinos). Its story begins deep in prehistory, with the early Cycladic settlement at Skarkos and other sites that point to the island’s role on the sea routes of the southern Aegean. In antiquity, Ios was also known by other names (including Phiniki and Arsinoe) and passed through the familiar cycles of Aegean history: from classical and Hellenistic prosperity to medieval rule under the Venetians (as part of the Duchy of Naxos), then Ottoman domination, before joining the modern Greek state in 1830.

Ios is closely associated with Homer in local tradition: the island is often presented as his final refuge and burial place, with the “Tomb of Homer” shown near Plakotos in the north. The spiritual heart of the island, however, is found above Chora, at Panagia Gremiotissa—perched at the edge of a cliff and overlooking the sea. Each year, on August 15th, the feast of the Dormition is marked with a procession through Chora and an all-night celebration, while summer cultural life extends to the open-air “Odysseas Elytis” theatre, which hosts events in the warmer months.

Beyond its beaches, Ios is defined by the Cycladic beauty of Chora: whitewashed houses, tight lanes, countless chapels, and the iconic line of windmills on the hillside. The town’s skyline is still watched over by medieval fortifications—linked to the island’s late medieval rulers—while the wider landscape preserves older layers of the past, from the excavated remains at Skarkos to the ruined Venetian castle of Palaiokastro. Today, Ios balances its long-established reputation for summer energy with a quieter, archaeological and architectural richness that rewards exploration well beyond the shoreline.

Travel information

Ios has no airport. You can reach the island by boat from the port of Piraeus (about 4 to 9 hours 45 minutes, depending on the ferry), from the port of Rafina (roughly 4 to 5+ hours, depending on the route). For those arriving by air, the nearest airports serving the Cyclades include Santorini (JTR), Mykonos (JMK), Paros (PAS), Naxos (JNX) and Syros (JSY); in summer there are direct international flights to Santorini and Mykonos from many European cities, with onward connections to Ios by ferry.

For ferry schedules you may visit Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Fast Ferries, Seajets, or Golden Star Ferries.

For airplane tickets to Mykonos, Santorini or Syros you may visit Aegean Airlines, British Airways, EasyJet, or Alitalia.

Conference venue

The conference will take place at the Gaïtis – Simossi Museum.The Gaïtis – Simossi Museum, dedicated to painter Yannis Gaïtis and sculptor Gabriella Simossi, was created through a partnership between the Municipality of Ios and Loretta Gaïtis, the artists’ sole heir and rights holder. Set on a hilltop overlooking Chora and the port, the 1,600-square-meter complex—designed by Loretta Gaïtis and Jacques Charrat—hosts the permanent collection alongside temporary exhibitions, cultural events and educational programs, aspiring to serve as a contemporary, sustainable and inclusive cultural hub for Ios and the Cyclades. The museum’s layout unfolds across two main buildings marked by Gaïtis’ iconic “anthropakia” figures at the entrance, with the Gaïtis wing presenting works chronologically and the Simossi wing immersing visitors in a luminous, all-white architectural setting for her monumental sculptures; a café, multipurpose spaces and an open-air theatre complete the experience. Officially inaugurated on September 14, 2024, it has already emerged as a new landmark for the island.