Chios – Emborios Bay and Mavra Volia Beach

After our interesting visit to the Chios Mastic Museum, our next destination is Emborios Bay. I’d had a fleeting visit on my last trip to Chios but wanted to explore it further. Our only way to get there is an hour’s walk or by taxi. We chose the easy option and asked the gentleman in the ticket office to call a taxi for us. Ten minutes later we were on our way.

We are dropped at the back of Paralia Emborios. Everywhere is quiet. Although Chios markets itself as a destination for all seasons, Easter is when many businesses begin to open after a winter recess. Although we have decided to have lunch here, we are firstly going to head over to the famous Mavra Volia Beach, which as its name suggests, is a beach of black volcanic stone.

We follow the deep bay of Emborios around to the right and climb a hill over to the shallow bay of Paralia Mavra Volia. It’s backed by a string of tamarkisk trees. How on earth do they grow here? There are only a handful of other people here so we make our way onto the beach to take in the view. The black stones are smooth and flat and very comfortable to lie on.

At the end of Mavra Volia Beach is a path that takes us up and over to the shallow bay of Foki Beach. This is a long stretch of black pebble beach divided into sections by the cliffs. Perfect if you like a bit of seclusion!

After an hour or so relaxing on the beach, we head back to Emborios. Before we find a taverna to eat at, (though I know which one already), I want to pop in and say hello to Giouli and Galatia at the Emborios Bay Hotel. Two years ago Galatia had messaged me after her mum Giouli started following my page. She said that I’d written very positively about Chios in my blog and they would be interested in doing business with Hidden Greece (my day job). This was incredibly flattering. We have indeed since worked with Emborios Bay Hotel and my clients have loved their stay here and one is even returning later this year.

As we enter the hotel, a couple of ladies are busy preparing the hotel for guests. Giouli is in the back and comes through and introductions are made. It is so nice to put faces to names after 18 months of email communication. Peter and I are invited to take a seat on a shaded terrace overlooking the pool. We are brought some cold drinks (which are most welcome) and some snacks whilst we chat to Giouli. Giouli is a very talented lady. She was involved in the development of the Chios Mastic Museum. Her family come from the mastic villages and she is very proud of her heritage. With her skills as a talented photographer and her personal insight into the history of the mastic villages, she has produced a beautiful book called Collecting ‘tears’ has to be an act of love……

Before we leave, Galatia shows me some of the studios and apartments which can accommodate couples, singles and families alike including a two-bedroom apartment on offer. As we leave Galatia gives me a copy of her book which I will treasure.

We say our farewells and Peter and I head to Karagiorgis Taverna which sits just at the back of Emborios Bay. I had a fantastic meal here last time and today doesn’t disappoint. This is a traditional family-run taverna where you are assured a warm welcome and fantastic food. It’s never too early for ouzo – right?