Princess Sissy

Princess Sissy is a family-run hotel and hostel positioned on the old stepped walking path that connects Ios port (Gialos) with Ios Chora, the island's hilltop main village. The property sits roughly 300 metres from both the port and the centre of Chora, and the same distance from Gialos beach — making it one of the more practical bases on the island for travelers who want to move between the waterfront and the village on foot without relying on transport.

With a 4.2 rating across 135 Google reviews, the property appeals primarily to younger, budget-conscious travelers and backpackers who want an affordable, centrally located room with the essentials covered. The location on the traditional stepped mule path is one of its defining characteristics: you walk up or down stone steps to reach it, which gives it a quieter feel than properties right on the main road, while still keeping Chora's bars and nightlife within a five-minute walk.

The hotel describes itself as a hostel as well as a hotel, operating under the full name A1 Princess Sissy Ios Hotel & Hostel. If you are arriving by ferry and want to reach the property without hauling luggage up the steps, a transfer service from the port is available for an additional charge of €5.

What to Expect

All rooms at Princess Sissy include an en-suite private bathroom with shower, 24-hour hot water, and complimentary toiletries. Each room also has air conditioning, a balcony, a mini fridge, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a wardrobe, and Wi-Fi. Safe deposit boxes are available at the reception rather than in-room. Most rooms have sea views, which from this hillside position typically means views toward the port and the Aegean.

The on-site facilities extend beyond the rooms. There is a café-bar and a restaurant where guests receive a 10% discount on food and drink. A rooftop garden provides an outdoor sitting area with views over the surrounding area. The reception can arrange car and motorbike rental, daily excursions to archaeological sites and beaches around Ios, laundry and ironing service, and free island maps. Free parking is also available, which is a practical advantage given how limited parking can be in and around Chora.

The hostel classification means the property is accustomed to solo travelers and groups moving through Ios on a broader Cyclades itinerary, and the price point reflects that positioning. The combination of private en-suite rooms and hostel-style communal facilities gives it more flexibility than a straightforward dormitory hostel.

How to Get There

From the port of Gialos, the hotel is approximately 300 metres along the old stepped path that leads up toward Chora. On foot this takes around five minutes, though the path involves stone steps and is not suitable for wheeled luggage without effort. The transfer service offered by the hotel (€5 from the port) is worth considering if you are arriving with large bags, particularly in summer heat.

From Ios Chora centre, the hotel is similarly about 300 metres downhill along the same stepped path, also roughly five minutes on foot. The island bus service connects the port, Chora, and Mylopotas beach, stopping near the main road above the path; from the bus stop it is a short walk down to the property.

If you are driving, free parking is available at the property. The coordinates place it at approximately 36.7245°N, 25.2767°E on the hillside between port and village. The address is listed as Main Street, Ios Chora 840 01.

Best Time to Visit

Ios has a strong seasonal character. The island is busiest — and loudest — from late June through August, when its reputation for nightlife draws a concentrated crowd of younger European travelers. If you are staying at Princess Sissy during this peak period, expect Chora to be lively until the early morning hours; the property's position slightly off the main village strip helps, but you are still close to the nightlife area.

May, early June, and September offer calmer conditions: the sea is warm enough to swim, the main beaches and boat trips are operating, and accommodation prices are generally lower. The island largely closes from late October through April, so Princess Sissy, like most Ios accommodation, operates on a seasonal basis. Confirm availability before planning a shoulder-season trip.

For day-to-day timing, the hillside position means the property catches morning sun and benefits from Aegean breezes that moderate the afternoon heat. The walk to Gialos beach at 300 metres is short enough that an early-morning swim before the beach fills up is easy to manage.

Tips for Visiting

• Book early for July and August. Ios accommodation fills quickly in peak season, and the central location of Princess Sissy makes it a popular choice for budget travelers.
• Request a sea-view room explicitly. Most rooms have sea views, but not all — if this matters to you, ask at the time of booking.
• Use the transfer service if you have heavy luggage. The stepped path is charming but impractical with large wheeled bags; the €5 port transfer is worth the cost on arrival.
• Take advantage of the 10% discount at the on-site restaurant and bar. Eating and drinking in Chora is priced for tourist season; the in-house discount adds up over a multi-night stay.
• Confirm seasonal opening dates before booking. Ios operates on a pronounced seasonal calendar; verify the property is open for your specific travel dates, particularly in May or October.
• Bring cash for smaller incidentals. While Chora has ATMs, having euros on hand for the port transfer and any reception services is practical.
• Ios Chora nightlife runs very late. If you are not joining it, earplugs are useful during peak season even at a property that is not directly on the main nightclub strip.
• Day excursions can be booked through reception. The island has beaches that require a boat or vehicle to reach easily; booking through the hotel is a straightforward option compared to arranging transport independently.

Facilities and Location

Princess Sissy sits at a functional midpoint between Ios's two main hubs. Gialos (the port) is 300 metres downhill and is where ferries from Athens (Piraeus), Santorini, Mykonos, and other Cyclades islands dock. The port has waterfront tavernas, a small beach, and the island's main taxi rank. Ios Chora, 300 metres uphill, is the whitewashed hilltop village with the majority of the island's bars, restaurants, clubs, and the central square. Mylopotas, the long sandy beach that is Ios's most popular, is about 3 kilometres from Chora and accessible by bus or taxi.

The on-site facilities include:

• Café-bar and restaurant (10% discount for guests)
• Rooftop garden
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
• Free parking
• Safe deposit boxes at reception
• Laundry and ironing service
• Car and motorbike rental (arranged through reception)
• Daily excursions to beaches and archaeological sites
• Transfer service to and from the port (extra charge)
• Free Ios island map

The fax number listed on the property's website (+30 22860 92044) and the telephone number (+30 693 908 9289) are the primary contact points. The official website is www.princess-sissy.com.