Cave of Sykia Olymbi

Chios

LoginSave

This 150-million-year-old cavern was discovered accidentally in 1985. It's 57m deep and filled with multicoloured stalactites and other rock formations that have whimsical names such as the Pipe Organ, Cacti and Jellyfish.

The cave is illuminated with floodlights, and connected via a series of platforms and staircases – be prepared for some climbing. A steady temperature of 18°C is maintained, and humidity is a moist 95%. Guided tours are mandatory and run every 30 minutes.

The cave is signposted as ‘Olympi Cave’.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Chios Island, Greece - September 03, 2019 : Koraes central public library view in Chios Island of Greece.; Shutterstock ID 1495179110; your: Erin Lenczycki; gl: 65050; netsuite: Digital; full: POI 1495179110

    Korais Library & Philip Argenti Museum

    15.73 MILES

    On the upper floor of the remarkable Korais Library, the Philip Argenti Museum contains a 19th-century birthing chair, along with shepherds' tools,…

  • Chios Mastic Museum

    Chios Mastic Museum

    4.79 MILES

    Brave new architecture arrives in Chios in the form of this airy hilltop structure that casts a curious glance on mastic gardens and ancient stone houses…

  • Çeşme Museum

    Çeşme Museum

    21.97 MILES

    Çeşme's majestic Genoese-built fortress dates from 1508 and was later repaired by order of Sultan Beyazıt II, son of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, in order…

  • Nea Moni

    Nea Moni

    13.22 MILES

    At the island’s centre, Nea Moni is a World Heritage–listed 11th-century Byzantine monastery. Once one of Greece’s richest monasteries, it attracted pre…

  • Agio Galas Cave & Church

    Agio Galas Cave & Church

    24.35 MILES

    Only a small section of the island's largest cave is accessible, but the main reason to drive all the way to the northern tip of Chios is the 12th-century…

  • Nautical Museum of Inousses

    Nautical Museum of Inousses

    26.23 MILES

    Created in 1965, this handsome museum showcases the collection of local shipping magnate Antonis Lemos. Many of the models on display (some intentionally…

  • Turkish Bath

    Turkish Bath

    16.08 MILES

    With its bubble-like cupolas pierced to let in gentle shafts of light, this classic early-18th-century hammam (Turkish bath) was built as a charitable…

  • Anavatos

    Anavatos

    14.11 MILES

    At the end of a silent stretch of road that branches off the main road near Avgonyma, this solemn site serves as a reminder of the island's brutal history…

View more attractions

Nearby Chios attractions

1. Churches of the Taxiarhes

3.25 MILES

There are two Churches of the Taxiarhes (Archangels) in Mesta. The older and smaller one dates from Byzantine times and features a magnificent 17th…

2. Church of Agios Apostolos

4.18 MILES

Covered from floor to ceiling with exquisite crumbling frescoes, this tiny chapel off the main square in Pyrgi is one of the most remarkable religious…

3. Chios Mastic Museum

4.79 MILES

Brave new architecture arrives in Chios in the form of this airy hilltop structure that casts a curious glance on mastic gardens and ancient stone houses…

4. Nea Moni

13.22 MILES

At the island’s centre, Nea Moni is a World Heritage–listed 11th-century Byzantine monastery. Once one of Greece’s richest monasteries, it attracted pre…

5. Citrus Memories Museum

13.27 MILES

This museum has attractive and well-signed historical displays of Kampos-area citrus, the Chian mandarin in particular. Also has a shaded courtyard cafe…

6. Anavatos

14.11 MILES

At the end of a silent stretch of road that branches off the main road near Avgonyma, this solemn site serves as a reminder of the island's brutal history…

7. Archaeological Museum

15.69 MILES

Along with prehistoric and Archaic treasures from the excavations of the British School at Emporios, this collection includes impressive Neolithic and…