When bar hopping turns into island hopping, you know you’re living your best life. When we first decided on a Greek islands trip, we had a few ideas about how we wanted to structure the trip. We knew we wanted to stop in Athens for a night or two, take in some of the history, visit family, see the sites. Then, choose one of the two most famous islands, Mikonos or Santorini, since we knew both would be expensive. And finally, end the trip on a party island. We were 23 and backpacking after all!

So, Ios it is. I had never even heard of Ios, and to be honest, was bummed Mikonos didn’t make the cut. But boy was I in for a treat. After a relaxing few days soaking up the sun on the cliffs of Santorini, I was ready for the sand between my toes and a few beers by the pool.

The best part about Ios is there’s really only one place to stay if you’re backpacking, and that’s Far Out Beach Club. I know what you’re thinking… that doesn’t look like any hostel I’ve ever stayed in, and you’re right. This place is a backpacker’s paradise, located right on Mylopotas beach with adorable bungalows around a courtyard filled with flowers. The Far Out Village pool bar and restaurant are always open and crawling with hot Australian men that came for a summer job and never went home.

But the best part, and the reason the Ios is, by far, my favorite place to party in Greece, is the FREE transfer busses. I’m not talking about the free bus down to the ferry, although that was nice too.

Every night, when the sun has set and you are perfectly bronzed and ready to dance, the bus shows up, right in front of the Far Out Beach Club, loads in all its passengers, and takes you up the hill for a night of bar hopping, dancing on tables, and shot games that rattle your brain but wake you up wearing a t-shirt you don’t remember winning.
It’s the best.

Next time you’re planning your summer Greece vacation and looking to let loose, make sure Ios is on the list.