From the Plain to the Fragrant Land

The route has a total length of 60 kilometers and takes about 1.5 hours by car or motorcycle, without stops. It is accessible year-round and appeals to visitors interested in culture, nature and its activities, the sea, mountaineering, hiking, cycling, and good food.

This 1.5-hour journey, with two sub-routes, takes you through Chios—the island of aromas, flavors, and medieval villages. From the town of Chios, the route passes through Kambos, with its imposing mansions and citrus orchards, and reaches Armolia, where the art of pottery continues to this day. In Kalamoti and Komi, the air smells of the sea, while Mavra Volia Beach, carpeted with volcanic pebbles, offers a unique experience. In Pyrgi, the walls are decorated with geometric xysta patterns and strings of sun-dried tomatoes. From here, the route splits and leads to the famous Mastichochoria: continuing toward Olympi with its cave and ending at Mesta, with its medieval architecture, you will discover the western Mastichochoria. Alternatively, heading toward the fortified village of Vessa and Lithi, with its sandy beach and skilled fishermen, you will explore the northern Mastichochoria. Between Vessa and Lithi, do not miss Elata, with its distinctive traditions. Each year, on the eve of the feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. Stephen (August 1st), locals travel there by boat from Agia Irini bay—or even swim across. The celebration lasts two days, with a large festival following.

Chian cuisine is a marvelous blend of aromas. Chian trigonakia are filled with mastiha and almond, while masourakia (or mastichakia) with phyllo pastry overflow with mastiha flavor. Almond cookies pair perfectly with mastiha cream. Beans with mandarin sauce showcase the uniqueness of local gastronomy. Chios is a land of culinary treasures: mastiha, mastic oil, olives, mandarins, tsikouda (figs), wines, and citrus-based sweets, all ready to be tasted and purchased in local shops. For accommodation, you will easily find hospitable guesthouses or hotels throughout the area.

And when Carnival arrives, the island comes alive with the Mostra of Thymiana. Narrow alleys fill with colors, costumes, and joy; music fills the air, and people dance while holding glasses of souma, the local fig distillate. Plates of spoon sweets, cheeses, and aromatic rusks are everywhere, with the celebration lasting until morning—giving you the sense that everything in Chios is truly magical.

Route Products

PDO products: Chios throumba olives, Chios gum mastiha, Chios mastic oil.

PGI products: Chios mandarin, Chios wine.

Special products: Citrus products (liqueurs, juices, marmalades, spoon sweets), tsikouda (figs), almonds, rusks, cheeses, souma.

Route Delicacies

Beans with mandarin sauce: Chian mandarins are a true treasure, lending unique aroma and flavor to both sweet and savory creations. Mandarins are used to give a special note to stewed beans, where mandarin purée—de-bittered beforehand—is added to the sauce, offering fruity freshness. The same purée, blended with sugar, makes an aromatic marmalade, beautifully served with yogurt.

Masourakia (or mastichakia): A renowned sweet offered at celebrations, with a chewy texture and crisp pastry. Made with almonds, breadcrumbs, cinnamon, and mastiha, rolled in phyllo, and baked. Finally, they are drizzled with a fragrant syrup of sugar, cinnamon, and rosewater, giving them a distinctive taste and aroma.

Chiotika koulourakia: Fluffy cookies with cardamom and mastiha, a traditional Chian treat—aromatic and light, ideal with coffee or tea. Made with flour, mastiha, cardamom, mastiha liqueur, and butter, shaped in various forms, brushed with meringue, sprinkled with brown sugar, and baked until golden.