The island of Ikaria in Greece began to enjoy popularity among tourists only a few decades ago. During this time, local authorities managed to organize a proper level of infrastructure, which is perfectly combined with picturesque nature, healing mineral springs and beautiful beaches. And if we take into account the fact that the ecological situation on the island is almost perfect, we will get a good place for a quiet and relaxing holiday.
General information
Ikaria is a large Greek island located in the Aegean Sea and part of the Eastern Sporades archipelago. Its name was given in honor of the famous mythical character Icarus, who, according to ancient legends, fell into the sea just not far from here. However, there are other names for this island. One of them is Long, which is explained by a special oblong shape. The second is Fish, given in gratitude for the rich catches.
The capital of Ikaria is the small town of Agios Kirikos, located in the south-east of the island. There is also a harbor for ships and ferries. The population is about 10 thousand people. The total area is 255 sq. km. In the history of Greece, it is mentioned as the main place of settlement of political dissidents, who were exiled here since the time of the Byzantine Empire. But the UN report on Ikaria says nothing but one of the blue zones of the planet, so everyone who served their sentence here can only envy.
An original corner of the Aegean Sea, located away from the hustle and bustle of the city, is considered a suitable place for a quiet and relaxing holiday. There are no noisy tourist centers, active nightlife and huge crowds of tourists. Ikaria in Greece is famous for completely different things – pristine nature, clean beaches, healing thermal springs and ancient historical sites.
Another feature of this island is the unhurried rhythm of life. In some villages, you may not see a single person for the whole day, but with the arrival of evening, the streets suddenly come to life, shops and cafes open, housewives go about their business, old people go to drink coffee. The driver of a minibus can stand for 10 minutes waiting for a late passenger, and the seller of a bakery can leave it open and do household chores, leaving a note to customers asking them to pay for all purchases themselves.
Winters on Ikaria are mild and humid, so you can relax here almost all year round. The high season lasts from May to October. It is during this period that healing springs are opened on the island, and the ferry service is almost uninterrupted.
What to see and do?
Despite the fact that there are not so many tourist attractions on Ikaria in Greece, it is impossible to get bored here. In addition to traditional beach holidays and wellness treatments, you will also discover unique historical monuments dating back thousands of years. Ancient monasteries, ancient acropolises, excavations of the ancient settlements of Inoi and Drakano, the ruins of the Byzantine castle of Koskina – the history of this place can be studied both independently and as part of an organized excursion group.
On one of the coasts, right at the water’s edge, stands an unusual natural sculpture, the outlines of which resemble a woman peering at the horizon. Rumor has it that this is the figure of a mother turned to stone after the ship with her son sank in the Aegean Sea. There are also other natural statues carved by sea water and wind on the island. And each of them has its own interesting story.
Lovers of ancient architecture should definitely visit Agios Kirikos, because it is in the capital of the island that the main architectural monuments are concentrated – the Cathedral of St. Kirikos, the Archaeological Museum, the stadium where the Panegaean Games were held in ancient times, and many others. No less interesting is the Church of St. Macarius and the Monastery of the Annunciation, located in neighboring Leucada and dating from the first half of the 17th century.
If you want to visit the ruins of ancient settlements, the images of which are present in almost all photos of the island of Ikaria in Greece, go to Armenistis, Phanari or Kosikia. As for the most popular tourist destinations, these include the Monastery of St. Teoctisti, underground caves and thermal springs.
St. Teoctisti Monastery
The Monastery of St. Teoctisti, whose relics attract an increasing number of pilgrims, is located near the village of Pidgi. According to official data, its construction began in the middle of the 16th century, but if you believe the old legends, the first church on this site appeared in the 14th century.
The monastery consists of 15 cells and outbuildings. The interior of the monastery is decorated with frescoes on the Biblical theme. Next to the monastery is Theoskepasti, a small stone chapel with a richly decorated iconostasis dating from the second half of the 19th century.
Caves
Among the most famous sights of Ikaria in Greece are the numerous caves scattered throughout the island. Some were used for ritual ceremonies, while others served as a safe haven from pirates. Each cave has its own “telling” name – Time Rift, Impatient Cave, Dragon Cave, etc. Many of them are still unexplored, but the work that has already been done confirms the existence of an ancient civilization on the island.
Thermal springs
Miraculous healing springs can be called the main wealth of Ikaria without exaggeration. As the excavations of archaeologists show, the first hydrotherapics on the island appeared in 400 BC. e. It is believed that their waters help to get rid of many serious diseases. Currently, there are about a dozen thermal springs on the island:
- Chlio-Thermo, Asclepia and Thermo – in Agios Kyrikos;
- Pamphili, Artemidos, Kratsa, Apollonos, Spileu-in Terme;
- Immortal water-in the village of Xylosirtis.
The water temperature in some of them reaches +58°C. It can be used not only for baths, but also for oral administration.
Beaches
The island of Ikaria in Greece is famous for a huge number of beaches, most of which are absolutely wild and not equipped. Located in deserted coves and small villages, they impress with their beauty and primitiveness. At the same time, the northern part of the island is considered more windy, so there are always large waves raging there. There are dozens of beaches in Ikaria, but the most popular ones are the following.
Seychelles
A small beach with a pretentious name of Seychelles is located in the south side of the island (20 km from the capital). The wild place, surrounded by picturesque rocks, does not offer any conditions for a comfortable stay. Despite this, it is always quite crowded here-especially in the middle of summer. The beach is covered with small pebbles. The sea here is clear and calm, there is almost no wind. From the highway, a steep rocky path leads to the Seychelles, which is at least 400 m long.
Nas
A small and narrow beach surrounded by high cliffs. Located 55 km from the island capital. Getting to this wild place is not so easy – you will have to overcome many steep stone stairs. There is no infrastructure on the beach, so you need to bring an umbrella, towel, drinks and food. However, not far from here there are several good eateries offering traditional walnut dishes at quite affordable prices. Among the main attractions of Nasa, it is worth noting the ruins of the ancient temple of Artemis and a small freshwater lake. Nudists also like to relax here – keep this in mind when going on vacation with children or teenagers.
Yaliskari
The largest sandy beach, very long and wide. The beach infrastructure is represented by inexpensive umbrellas and sun beds, showers, cafes, taverns, toilets, sports equipment rental points. The sea in this part of the island is mostly choppy (especially in July and August), and there are often strong undercurrents. Because of this, just swimming here, most likely, will not work. But Yaliskari offers good conditions for surfing, windsurfing and other water sports. Also note that near the beach there is a river delta, which is home to many beautiful turtles.
Messkakti
Located 47 km from Agios Kirikos, it is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Ikaria. It is a cozy bay covered with soft golden sand and surrounded by thickets of exotic plants. Thanks to the strong waves, it is popular among fans of surfing and windsurfing. Suitable for both family and youth holidays. It’s always quite noisy, fun and dynamic. In addition, along the entire coastline there are numerous cafes and bars with a high level of service.
Armenistis
A popular resort located 50 km from the capital near a small village of the same name. It consists of several sandy and pebble beaches washed by clear, clear water. Armenistis is notable for its scenic hiking trails and well-developed tourist infrastructure. It is also close to the port of Eudilos, where you can go on excursions to the western part of the island.
The Ultimate Greece Island Guide: Discover the Best Islands
Accomodation
The Greek island of Ikaria offers a limited number of places to stay, so you need to book them in advance. The choice of resort directly depends on the purpose of your trip.
From the point of view of traditional beach holidays, the port of Evdilos and several small towns – Armenistis, Nas, Ialiskari, etc. – are of the greatest value. Each of these places has a developed tourist infrastructure, clean equipped beaches and even the presence of natural viewing platforms.
If you are more interested in exploring Greek history and local attractions, head to Agios Kirikos, Langada or Kambos. No less popular are small ancient villages, where you can get acquainted with the life of local residents and fully appreciate the national flavor of the island.
For those who want not only to relax, but also to improve their health, we advise you to stay in one of the many health centers or near them (for example, in the village of Therma).
As for approximate prices, accommodation in a 3* double room of the hotel is about 60€. The price of apartments starts from 30€.
Public transport links
The island of Ikaria in Greece has a secluded location, which many tourists will find inconvenient. There are only 2 ways to get to it.
Method 1. By sea
Thanks to the operation of two seaports, one in Eudilo and the other in Agios Kirikos, Ikaria has direct connections not only to other Greek islands (Naxos, Samos, Paros, Syros, Chios, Mykonos), but also to two cities – Athens (port of Piraeus) and Kavala. However, it will take quite a long time to get to your destination – 10 and 25 hours, respectively.
Ferries do not have a permanent schedule, so you need to check it almost on the eve of the trip. In summer, they run 6 days a week, and the rest of the time-1 time in 2 days (if there is no storm). Tickets can be purchased at the port.
Method 2. By air
Ikaria Airport, located in the town of Pharos (10 km from the capital), consists of one runway that runs directly into the sea. Despite its big name, it is not very busy. There are rare charters from Athens (Olympic Air), a few regular flights from Heraklion and Thessaloniki (Sky Express), as well as a limited number of European countries.
On the island itself, it is customary to travel by taxi or regular buses. The latter follow the same route and go no more than 3 times a day. It is almost impossible to find the schedule of these buses in advance. All we know for sure is that it is linked to the flights of ships, ferries, and planes.
Because of this, some travelers prefer rented cars – rental points (rents) are available in all major localities. In high season, cars are disassembled very quickly, so you need to negotiate a rental in advance. You will have to do this by phone – rental companies don’t have websites or email addresses. It should also be noted that this method of transportation is suitable only for those who have extensive driving experience. The roads on Ikaria are quite winding – even the locals drive very carefully on them.
In addition, scooters and motorcycles are available for rent, but it is better to give up bicycles – you will not be able to ride them on rocks anyway. Also note that rented vehicles can easily be left in an unguarded parking lot with keys inside. This is common here, because crime on the island is absent by definition.
Interesting facts
The island of Ikaria in Greece is quite an interesting place, with a lot of interesting facts connected with its history. Here are just a few of them:
- Local residents do not eat sweet and flour products. The only exceptions are honey and other bee products-they are eaten here every day.
- Ikaria is an island of centenarians. According to numerous scientific studies, Icariots live up to 90 years almost 3 times more often than the average European. At the same time, they do not suffer from depression, Alzheimer’s syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and other senile ailments.
- On the territory of the island you can see many rare plants and animals, and many migratory birds come to spend the winter here.
- Residents of Ikaria rarely keep an eye on the clock – if you invite someone for lunch, guests can come either at 10 am or 7 pm.
- It was on this island that ikariotikos was invented, a beautiful incendiary dance that made Greece famous all over the world.
