Ios is a typical smaller Cycladic island with a charming village, called Hora, full of white washed houses and geraniums. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and nightlife and is especially popular with young people. The capital of the island “Ios” or “Hora” stands on the site of an ancient city remains of which are still visible.. The village is surmounted by the ruins of a castle established in the 14th century in the place of the ancient Akropolis. Hora is a typical Cycladic town with whitewashed houses, cobbled alleyways and many churches. The church of Aghia Aikaterina stands on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo. The northern part of the village is overlooked by windmills and from this point you an enjoy a fine view of the island. Homer’s Tomb is said to be at Plakotos, on the north of the island. The 3 km long beach of Milopota is one of the most famous beaches in Greece. According to Greek Mythology Homer’s mother, Klysmene, was born here and the poet himself was born and is buried somewhere on the island. Tradition tells that the island was first settled by the Phoenicians. In historical times the island was inhabited by the Ionians, a member of the Athenian League and later passed to the Ptolemies of Egypt. Under the Roman Empire Ios was a place of exile and was ignored by the Byzantines. From 1207 it belonged to the Venetian Duchy of Naxos. Ios was conquered by the Turks in 1537. During the periods of Ventian and Turkish rule the island was a well known refuge for pirates. In 1821 Ios took part in the War of Independence.