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Kambos and the South Villages of Chios
Chios Shore Trip - Kambos and the South Villages of Chios


 



This 5 Hour Private Shore Excursion Includes:
  • Meet at the Port or your Hotel in Chios
  • Private Vehicle with English Speaking Licensed Guide
  • Included- Citrus Museum, St. Apostoloi Church, Taxiarches Church
Please Note: The Citrus Museum is closed on Mondays. The prices shown below are not valid on Sundays or local Holidays. Please Contact Us for Sunday pricing and availability.
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Tour Number:
GCHIO-01

Contact us for larger groups



Group Size (Prices in USD)*:
2 People - $302 Per Person (Private Tour)
3 People - $334 Per Person (Private Tour)
4 People - $252 Per Person (Private Tour)
5 People - $206 Per Person (Private Tour)
6 People - $174 Per Person (Private Tour)
7 People - $152 Per Person (Private Tour)
8 People - $135 Per Person (Private Tour)



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TOUR DESCRIPTION MORE INFO
 

Chios Shore Excursion

This half day Chios shore trip gives you the true sense of the island of Chios. You will see her beautiful coast, lovely orchards and meadows, a unique Masticha plantation and visit some charming villages.

After meeting your guide you head south to Kambos, which is one of the most famous areas of Chios due to its architecture and to the orange and lemon plantations located here. You will see beautiful two floored mansions with high ceilings and big windows, pebbled yards with water wells for the plantations. There are lots of lemon and orange trees and big stone walls around the mansions which serve to protect the trees from the winds.

One of the old families of Kambos (the Xydas family) has created a citrus museum on their estate. This is your first stop so you can see photos and utensils the people of Kambos used to cultivate the plantations and watch a short documentary explaining the story of Kambos. Next is a coffee break in the yard of the estate and a sample of local homemade sweets.

Please note that only 25 people can visit the museum at a time so if you are a large group some can visit the museum while others enjoy the coffee break and vice versa. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Next you continue driving further south to the area known as Mastichochoria because mastic fields in the area. Most of the mastic villages in the south part of Chios were settled in the time of the Genoese occupation of the island (12th century). They were built mostly like fortresses and were fortified against the pirate invasions.

Your first stop will be the medieval fortress town of Pyrgi, which is one of the most unusual and attractive villages on the Island. It looks as though it has emerged from the Middle Ages, with its narrow alleyways and its house facades covered with the unique xysta decorations. These geometric patterns of grey and white are almost a mind numbing illusion. At the central square of the village the effect of xysta is very intense as all outside walls of the buildings are covered with this extraordinary design. The fortifications of the village were destroyed in the big earthquake of 1881 but the village still has a unique atmosphere with all the beautiful facades of the houses.

You have the chance to visit the small byzantine church of St. Apostoloi. The exterior of the church is a copy of the main church of the monastery of Nea Moni. The exterior houses frescoes which were partly destroyed during the Turkish massacre of 1822.

Next you visit the fortified village of Mesta. Here the houses are built so close together that they form a wall enclosing the village, with all their roofs connected, giving the villagers another way to escape from roof to roof when invaders were outside the village walls. You enjoy a tour through Mesta walking along old and narrow lanes and the roofed alleyways to visit the central open square with the big beautiful church of Taxiarches.

After visiting these charming villages you return to the port of Chios.

Mobility: No wheelchairs
If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Chios tours and Chios Shore Excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Chios tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.
Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
  • Meet guide and enjoy scenic coastal drive to Kambos- 15 Minutes
  • Visit Citrus Museum and coffee break- 1 Hour
  • Drive to Pyrgi- 40 Minutes
  • Visit Pyrgi- 45 Minutes
  • Drive to Mesta- 20 Minutes
  • Visit Mesta- 45 Minutes
  • Return to port- 1 Hour with scenic photo stops- 1 Hour and 15 Minutes