Location & access
Anavatos lies in central Chios, about 16–20 km from Chios Town and roughly 30 minutes by car from Kambos. You park below the old village and climb on foot to the single gate in its wall.
Central Chios • Medieval stronghold
Anavatos: the Mystras of the Aegean
An abandoned medieval village built on a steep rock between two gorges in central Chios, with stone houses, vaulted lanes and one of the most dramatic views on the island.
Quick answer
Why visit Anavatos?
Anavatos is the most dramatic historic site in the interior of Chios: a fortified medieval village clinging to a rock about 450 m high, abandoned after the 1822 massacre and the 1881 earthquake and now protected as a historic monument. It is about 30 minutes by car from Kambos and pairs naturally with Avgonyma and Nea Moni.
- The 'Triorofo', a three-level building with an olive press, a school and the restored church of the Virgin
- The church of the Taxiarchis at the top of the rock
- Vaulted lanes and houses built into the bedrock
- Views over the two gorges and the mountains of central Chios
A village built to be hidden
The fortified part was built under Genoese rule and walled against pirates. Houses rise in tiers on the rock, linked by steep cobbled lanes, arches and covered passages.
Local tip
Go in the morning or late afternoon: the climb is steep, there is little shade and the light on the stone is far better. Wear proper shoes and bring water.
Walking through Anavatos
Anavatos is an open-air monument, not a museum, so treat it like a short mountain walk.
Why Anavatos matters
Anavatos is often called the 'Mystras of the Aegean'. Its residents took part in the 1821 uprising and the village was taken during the massacre of 1822; the Municipality of Chios calls it 'the Zalongo of Chios', its last stronghold of freedom. Survivors fled as far as Syros, where they founded the Anavatousika neighbourhood of Ermoupoli.
The village was resettled in 1866 by 72 families, but the great earthquake of 1881 emptied the walled settlement for good and life moved to the new village at the foot of the hill. The castle was declared a historic monument in 1962, and in 2022 the Ephorate of Antiquities of Chios completed the restoration of the church of the Virgin, whose bell rang again for the first time in decades.
The route through the village
From the parking area you climb towards the single gate in the wall. Near it stands the 'Triorofo', the three-level building that housed the olive press, the school and a cistern, with the church of the Virgin on top.
From there the lanes zigzag up to the church of the Taxiarchis, the one building you can see from far away. The Ephorate has improved the paths and placed benches, but the steps are uneven and steep.
Respect the monument
The whole settlement is a protected archaeological site and many houses are fragile ruins. Stay on the marked lanes, do not climb on walls and take your rubbish with you.
How to combine Anavatos
Nea Moni, Anavatos, Avgonyma
The classic central Chios route: the UNESCO-listed Nea Moni monastery, then Anavatos, then dinner and sunset in Avgonyma.
Anavatos and the west coast
Visit Anavatos in the morning, then drive down to Elinta or Lithi for a swim.
Elinta beachOn foot
Hikers can reach Anavatos on the long marked route that links Lithi with Agiasmata via Nea Moni and Avgonyma.
Voulamandis House · KamposYour base in Kambos
From Voulamandis House in Kambos, central Chios is about half an hour away, so you can see Anavatos in the morning and be back in the garden by the afternoon. Stay with those who know best.
Anavatos at a glance
- From Kambos
- About 30 minutes by car
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon
- Terrain
- Steep cobbled lanes, not suitable for strollers or limited mobility
Questions about Anavatos
Is Anavatos difficult to walk?
The climb is short but steep, on cobbled steps with little shade. Most visitors manage it with good shoes and water; it is not suitable for strollers or people with serious mobility limitations.
Does anyone live in Anavatos?
The walled medieval village has been abandoned since the 1881 earthquake. Life continues in the newer village at the foot of the hill.
What can I combine with Anavatos?
Anavatos, Avgonyma and the Nea Moni monastery form a classic half-day route in central Chios. Many visitors end the day in Avgonyma for dinner and the sunset, or continue to the beaches of the west coast.
Explore More Chios Villages
Continue with the medieval villages, mastic villages and seaside villages of Chios.
Swipe to explore more villages
PyrgiPyrgi: The Painted Village of Chios
Discover Pyrgi in Chios, the famous painted medieval village known for its black-and-white xysta patterns, narrow streets and mastic village identity.
Explore village →
MestaMesta: A Medieval Fortress Village
Explore Mesta in Chios, one of the best-preserved medieval mastic villages, with stone houses, arches, narrow alleys and authentic atmosphere.
Explore village →
VessaVessa: Quiet Medieval Beauty
Discover Vessa in Chios, a quiet traditional mastic village with medieval character, authentic atmosphere and easy access toward Lithi Beach.
Explore village →
OlympoiOlympoi: A Fortified Mastic Village
Visit Olympoi in southern Chios, a medieval mastic village with fortified character, historic buildings and a walking route toward Mesta.
Explore village →
VolissosVolissos: Castle Views in Northwest Chios
Explore Volissos in northwest Chios, the main village of Amani with castle views, old streets, nearby beaches and access to Agia Markella.
Explore village →
ArmoliaArmolia: The Pottery Village of Chios
Discover Armolia in Chios, a traditional village known for pottery, ceramics, stone houses and its position on southern Chios routes.
Explore village →
LagadaLagada: Harbor Views and Fish Taverns
Discover Lagada in northeast Chios, a picturesque seaside village with a small harbor, fish taverns, views toward Oinousses and relaxed local atmosphere.
Explore village →AvgonymaAvgonyma: stone lanes and Aegean sunsets
Plan a visit to Avgonyma, the medieval stone village on a hill in central Chios: what to see, the sunset over the Aegean, local food and how to combine it with Anavatos and Nea Moni.
Explore village →