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Ikaria
Greece | tourist holiday travel guide
to Ikaria
IKARIA, majestic island of
the Eastern Aegean Sea & the home of the mythical Ikaros. Here
you will find wild beauty, breathtaking panoramas, clean mountain air,
therapeutic hot springs, truly unspoiled seas and friendly people.
A rarity amongst the Greek Islands, Ikaria has remained true to herself
and to the ways of her people- the Ikarians. Tourism on Ikaria is
unimposing for all and reflects an "Ikarian Balance" between nature,
freedom, time and development.
 Make your holidays at
Rhodes for only
£319.00 GBP
Ikaria is located
between Samos and Mykonos, an elongated shaped island with its
length divided by the Atheras, 1,037 m, mountain range with
steep slopes to the south and valleys to the north.
Mythology connects the
island with Ikarus, who lost his life falling into the Ikario Sea when
he escaped with his father from the Minotaur’s labyrinth of Knossos. The
island has always been well known for its natural springs and its wine,
the eminent pramneio wine.
The capital and main
harbour of Ikaria is Agios Kirykos built amphitheatrically at the foot
of the Athera mountain range. The town has maintained many of its
traditional elements, particularly in the old districts. Here are
located the hydrotherapeutic natural springs of Asklipiou, close by are
the Therma natural springs.
 Armenistis is a developed
resort centre, famed for its marvelous sandy beaches that reach up to
Mesakti and Gialiskari. Very near is also Nas that is famous for the
astonishing sunsets and for the gorge that begins behind the magical
beach and reaches the Christos Rahon. By in the banks of the river are
the ruins of the church of Tavropoulou Artemidos.
The fiercely independent islanders see little
reason to pander to the whims of the modern day tourist so don't come
here expecting Brit bars and banana rides. Ikaria will appeal to the
discerning independent traveller seeking a relaxing island
retreat far from the madding mid-summer crowds that descend on party
islands such as Mykonos in frightening numbers.
There's an airport at the
north east tip of the island with regular flights to and from Athens .
If you choose to travel by air you're bound to have more luck than
mythical Icarus after whom the island is named.
According to legend Icarus plunged to his death off the island's
coastline after flying too close to the sun with the wax wings made for
him by his father Daedalus in a bid to escape the
Minotaur's labyrinth on Crete .
Ikaria Beaches
Ikaria is blessed with some of the loveliest beaches in the Aegean. You
can take your pick of long sandy stretches with seasonal tourist
facilities or quiet pebble coves where your only company may be a
handful of local villagers. Give Ikaria a miss if you want banana rides
and day-long beach raves. But if you fancy a dip in a
therapeutic hot spring or you like the idea of lounging in a
freshwater lagoon on the beach then you've come to the right
place.
The island's best
sandy beaches are on the north coast but the south coast offers
several beautiful and less crowded secluded coves.
One of the most popular
day trips from the capital Agios Kirykos is to the
radioactive springs at Therma, two kilometres north
east along the coast. You pay for a half-hour wallow in a stone tub
filled with curative mineral water said to combat everything from
rheumatism and arthritis to female infertility. It's an easy and
pleasant walk from town or you can take one of the buses or water taxis
which run regularly to and from the spa in high season.
At Therma
Lefkadhas, three kilometres south west of the capital, the
thermal waters of a now derelict spa bubble up into the sea between huge
volcanic rocks. Local youngsters tend to congregate at Tsoukala Beach,
one kilometre west of Agios Kirykos. This tree-fringed pebble beach is
just off the main road beyond the town's night clubs. A beachside café
serves drinks and snacks throughout the afternoon.
Price
£319.00 GBP
One of the best beaches
near town is tranquil Xilosyrtis, seven kilometres west of the port.
It's popular withthe local villagers but few tourists stumble on this
long pebbly stretch accessed via a stepped path leading down from the
village. A small café on the beach serves snacks in the summer months
and there's a pier at the start of the beach which makes a handy fishing
platform.
The Christos Rahon is a mountain village built in a region of dense
pinewood. It is, perhaps, the only village of Ikaria that maintains old
Ikarion traditions. The cafes, the tavernas and all the commercial shops
remain open to daybreak, while many open at midnight.
Evdilos is the second harbour of Ikaria on the northern coast of island.
It is amphitheatrically built on the elevation above the harbour and has
a separate traditional colour. Finally, in the south western end of
Ikaria, under the steep granite endings of Athera are found two
picturesque villages of Maganitis and Karkinagri
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