The Island Where Trees Weep
The Fragrant Garden of the Aegean
Mastic Trees
Explore the vast mastic plantations that dominate Southern Chios. You will walk through the world’s only “weeping” trees and see the traditional cultivation process that creates the precious ivory resin.
Lalades
Visit the central plains of the island to witness a sea of red. During spring, thousands of wild tulips (Lalades) bloom in the fields, creating one of the most iconic and colorful natural spectacles in the Aegean.
Wild Orchids
Chios is a unique botanical marvel, home to 110 species of wild orchids—representing a vast percentage of the species found in all of Europe. From March to May, the island’s hills and olive groves are transformed into a world-class exploration ground for botanists and nature enthusiasts.
The Citrus of Kampos
Wander through the legendary orchards of Kampos, a lush expanse filled with orange and mandarin trees. Lose yourself in the intoxicating scent of the blossoms that fills the air and earned Chios its famous title, “Myrovolos” (The Fragrant Island)
A Botanical Sanctuary in the Aegean
Chios is a world-class destination for botanical exploration and eco-tourism. Beyond its famous coastlines, the island hosts a stunning array of biodiversity that transforms the landscape every season. You will have the chance to witness the “Lalades,” wild tulips that paint the central plains in vivid red, and explore the legendary citrus orchards of Kampos. These historic gardens, enclosed by high stone walls, create a unique microclimate where the air is constantly filled with the sweet, intoxicating aroma of orange and mandarin blossoms.
For hikers and wildlife enthusiasts, the island offers an unparalleled experience with one of Europe’s richest concentrations of wild flora. Chios is home to 110 species and subspecies of wild orchids, which accounts for nearly one-third of the species found across the entire European continent. Whether you are wandering through ancient olive groves or trekking the rugged mountain trails, you will discover a vibrant ecosystem that remains authentic, unspoiled, and waiting to be explored.
Mastic Trees
A walk through Southern Chios will bring you before vast expanses of mastic trees, where cultivation is protected as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. On the ground, beneath the trees, you will see “asprochoma,” the special white soil carefully spread to collect the resin.
The trunks feature “kentrima,” the characteristic small incisions from which the “tears” flow. As the mastic solidifies on the tree or falls onto the clean soil, it releases its distinct scent throughout the area. This landscape and traditional agricultural process exist nowhere else in the world.
Walking and Hiking Trails
Chios offers an extensive network of trails that wind through medieval villages, pine forests, and rugged coastlines. Walking these paths, visitors come into direct contact with the island’s untouched nature, discovering old stone bridges, Byzantine monasteries, and secluded beaches. The routes are suitable for all skill levels, offering panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and the chance to experience the island’s rare flora firsthand.
Kambia Gorge Trail
The Medieval Trail Fa to Lithi
Volissos & Malagiotis Valley Trail
Your ultimate guide to the most authentic holidays on the island of mastic. Your adventure in the North East Aegean starts here.
Explore Chios
Contact
tourismos@chios.gov.gr
+30 22713 50514
Chios 821 00
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