Ascend into the forested mountains of Chios to the 11th-century Nea Moni Monastery — a UNESCO World Heritage Site sheltering some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the entire Greek world.
What to expect
The monastery complex dates to 1042 AD and was commissioned by Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos. Its katholikon (main church) is adorned with exquisite marble revetments and golden mosaics that survived earthquakes and Ottoman conquest. A charnel house on-site holds the bones of the 3,000 Chiots massacred in 1822, a profoundly moving encounter with history. The mountain setting, surrounded by cypress and pine, is serene and utterly removed from the tourist trail. Pair with a private guide for the full narrative arc.
Good to know
Located ~15 km from Chios Town; a taxi or private car is recommended. Modest dress is required (shoulders and knees covered — wraps available at the gate). Best visited in the morning when light floods the apse mosaics. Allow 1.5–2 hrs.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Chios — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.