Thai Me Up

Thai Me Up sits on Agia Theodoti Beach, one of the largest and most sheltered bays on Ios's east coast. While most of the island's nightlife and beach-bar scene clusters around Mylopotas and Ios Town, Agia Theodoti draws a noticeably quieter crowd — families, campers from the nearby campsite, and travelers who have done their homework on the island's lesser-trafficked shores.

The name is a play on words, and the Thai-inflected identity sets it apart from the typical Greek-island beach bar lineup. Its location at Agia Theodoti — a wide, sandy bay backed by low hills and the 6th-century ruins of an early Christian basilica — gives it one of the more atmospheric settings of any beach operation on the island.

With no website, phone number, or confirmed hours on record, specific operational details should be verified locally or through recent visitor reviews before you make the trip from Ios Town.

What to Expect

Agia Theodoti is a long, gently curving beach with fine to medium sand and clear water that deepens slowly — well suited to families and anyone who prefers calm swimming over the windswept conditions you sometimes get on the island's more exposed southern shores. The bay faces roughly northeast, which means it catches less of the Aegean's prevailing summer meltemi wind than beaches on the western or southern flanks of Ios.

Thai Me Up operates as the beach bar serving this stretch of coast. In keeping with its name, the concept leans toward Southeast Asian-influenced food and drinks rather than the standard gyros-and-cocktail format you'll find at most Cycladic beach bars. Expect sun loungers and parasols to be available for hire on the beach itself, though whether these are managed directly by the bar or separately is something to confirm on arrival.

The setting is backed by low scrubby hills, and the ruins of an early Christian basilica are visible nearby — the beach has a slightly more grounded, less commercialized feel than Mylopotas, which suits the quieter demographic it attracts. There is also a campsite (Camping Agia Theodoti) within easy walking distance, so the bar draws a mix of campers, day-trippers, and independent travelers.

How to Get There

Agia Theodoti Beach is on the east coast of Ios, approximately 10 km from Ios Town by road. The route heads north out of town before crossing the interior of the island and descending to the bay. The road is paved but narrow in sections, and the last stretch down to the beach involves a winding descent.

By car or scooter: The most practical option. Rental scooters and ATVs are widely available in Ios Town and the port, and the drive takes around 20 minutes. Parking is available near the beach.

By bus: Ios operates a bus service from the port and Ios Town (Chora) during summer, and Agia Theodoti is typically included on the route schedule. Check current timetables locally when you arrive, as frequency varies by season.

By taxi: Available from the port or Ios Town. The journey is short but the fare will reflect the distance and terrain.

On foot: Not practical as a direct route from town given the distance and road conditions.

Best Time to Visit

Agia Theodoti is a summer beach, and Thai Me Up will be operating during the main Cycladic season, broadly from late May through early October. July and August are the busiest months on Ios overall, but even then Agia Theodoti runs quieter than Mylopotas.

Mid-morning arrivals — between 9am and 11am — secure the best spots on the sand before the day-trip buses and rental bikes arrive around midday. By mid-afternoon the beach fills to its modest peak. The east-coast orientation means the beach loses direct sun earlier in the evening than west-facing bays, so it is less suited to sunset sessions.

Shoulder months — June and September — offer the best combination of warm water, manageable crowds, and reasonable prices across the island. In September the sea temperature on Ios is typically at its warmest and the meltemi has usually eased.

Tips for Visiting

• Verify hours before making the trip. With no confirmed opening hours on record, ask at your accommodation in Ios Town or at the port whether Thai Me Up is currently operating, particularly if you're visiting early or late in the season.
• Bring cash. Remote beach bars in the Cyclades may not reliably accept card payments. ATMs are available in Ios Town and the port.
• Combine with the basilica ruins. The remains of an early Christian basilica near Agia Theodoti are one of the more obscure historic sites on Ios and worth a short walk to see, especially if you're already at the beach.
• Book a scooter early in peak season. Rental availability in Ios Town can tighten in late July and August; if you plan to use one to reach Agia Theodoti, arrange it the day before.
• The beach suits children. The shallow, calm entry and the lack of a strong undertow at Agia Theodoti make it a better choice for families than the more surf-exposed beaches on the island's west side.
• Don't leave valuables unattended. As with any beach setting, leaving phones, cameras, or wallets on a towel while you swim is a risk — use the bar or ask staff if there's a secure spot.
• Check the bus return times. If you're relying on public transport, note the last bus back to Ios Town before you settle in for the afternoon.

Activities and Facilities

Agia Theodoti's calm, clear water is its main draw. Swimming is the primary activity, and the beach's protected position makes it good for snorkeling along the rocky edges of the bay where the sandy bottom gives way to small formations.

The nearby campsite (Camping Agia Theodoti) brings a low-key communal atmosphere to this end of the beach. You're unlikely to find jet skis or parasailing here — the east coast simply doesn't attract the same volume of water-sports operators as Mylopotas. If you want activity beyond swimming and eating, the ruins of the basilica offer a short exploration on foot.

Sun lounger hire is the expected facility at any staffed Cycladic beach, though pricing and availability should be confirmed on arrival.