Volissos is a small mountain village in the remote northwest of Chios, dominated by a ruined Byzantine castle on the hilltop above. It is one of the several places in the Aegean that claims a connection to Homer — a tradition that cannot be verified but persists. The village itself is picturesque in a faded way, with stone houses on steep lanes and a handful of tavernas that serve the fishing boats that work the western coast.
The castle above the village is partially restored and can be climbed for views across the northern hills and out to sea. The nearby beach at Limia, a few minutes' drive down the hill, is one of the better swimming spots on the western coast — pebbly, clean, and generally uncrowded.
Volissos is about 42 km from Chios town on a winding road through the mountains. The drive itself is rewarding, passing through pine forests and small villages. A car is essential.