Chios Island cruise port guide

Arrival & Getting Ashore

Getting to the centre: For a Central Port arrival, the town-side destination is Prokymaia, Chios Town's harbourfront promenade; this walking advice does not apply to Mesta.

• Walk: realistic for a Central Port town visit once outside the working quay; the regional tourism board recommends strolling along Prokymaia and exploring the town on foot.

Sources: Chios port profile, Chios Town tourism guide, Getting around Chios.

Orientation, not a walking route

Alongside cruise facilities are available at both Central Port and Mesta. Central Port also receives tender calls: ERT reported Star Clipper alongside in May 2022, while local reporting describes Allura anchored outside the harbour with boat transfers to the waterfront in May 2026. Ship size alone is insufficient to predict your arrival port or method.

Use your ship's daily programme for the assigned port, quay or tender landing and the last return tender. For a tender call, note the final boat departure as well as the ship's all-aboard time.

Book transport to the named arrival point supplied by your ship. Follow the authorised port exit; a general harbour map does not establish the passenger route through a working port.

About this port

A Chios call can mean two different ports: the Central Port in Chios Town, or Mesta in the southwest of the island. The central port adjoins the town; an outing from Mesta requires its own transport plan.

Getting Around

For a confirmed Central Port call, the town is the simplest independent focus. For an outing to the mastic villages or Nea Moni, arrange the outward and return road journeys together. A booking should name the actual port, not merely “Chios”.

Treat the mastic villages as one excursion area and Nea Moni as another. Avoid combining them by default during a short call.

For urban bus journeys, Chios City Bus (Astiko KTEL) lists ordinary Zone A tickets at €1.30 one way bought before boarding, or €2.00 one way from the driver. Zone B costs €1.70 one way before boarding or €2.50 one way on board. The operator's office is at 12 Demokratias. These are urban fare zones; Mesta and the mastic villages involve regional transport.

Prices checked 2026-09-08. Source: Chios City Bus tickets.

Things to Do

• Nea Moni: The monastery is part of the World Heritage property shared with Daphni and Hosios Loukas. Its Byzantine mosaics offer a focused cultural outing requiring a separate road journey.
• Mastic villages: These are in southern Chios. Pyrgi is known for geometric façade decoration, while Mesta retains a fortified village layout. Choose a limited route that leaves time to explore on foot.
• Chios Town: Stay near the waterfront and central streets on a Central Port arrival when the available time is short. Prokymaia's cafés and restaurants make it a convenient place for a break.

Getting back to your ship

For a confirmed Central Port call, the town is the simplest independent focus. For an outing to the mastic villages or Nea Moni, arrange the outward and return road journeys together. A booking should name the actual port, not merely “Chios”.

Practical Information

Greece uses the euro (€); Greek is its official EU language. Call 112 free of charge for an emergency.

Bring water and suitable walking shoes. Arrange any boarding assistance with the ship or excursion organiser before the call.

Frequently asked

Can you walk into Chios Town from the cruise port? Yes, for a Central Port arrival: the port adjoins town and Prokymaia is the harbourfront walking area. A Mesta arrival requires a separate transport plan.

Do cruise ships dock or tender at Chios? Both occur. Star Clipper has berthed inside Central Port, while Allura has anchored outside and transferred passengers by boat to the waterfront.

How much are local buses in Chios Town? Zone A costs €1.30 one way before boarding or €2.00 one way from the driver. Zone B costs €1.70 one way before boarding or €2.50 one way on board; these urban fares were checked on 2026-09-08.

Where is the waterfront walking area in Chios Town? Prokymaia runs along the central harbour. It is a practical focus for a short town visit, with cafés and restaurants along the waterfront.