Ikaria is the island with the absolute laid-back attitude and its hippy bohemian style attracts those who wish to spend holidays in the simple way. The island is not very popular to foreign visitors and the locals just seem to like it this way. The accommodation of the hotels in Ikaria meets the standard facilities but not luxury. The island is famous for the summer festivals called panygiria celebrating the saints of each church and chapel with copious amounts of food, drink and dancing till dawn. This explains why nobody gets up before noon!

 

The island of Ikaria is named after the legendary Icarus, the first to fly wearing wax wings. Excited though, Icarus didn’t follow his father’s advice and flew higher and closer to the sun so that his wings melted and Icarus drowned in the sea. The island in recent history was a place of exile for 15.000 suspected communists that they have shaped the island’s attitude and mentality.

Ikaria spans an area of 254,4 sq. km. with a total population of 8.312 residents. The islands closer to Ikaria are Fournoi on the southeast, Samos on the east, Mykonos and Tinos on the west.

 

The capital and the port of Ikaria is Agios Kirykos and there are many more beautiful villages worth seeing when visiting the island. Some of them are: Armenistis, Evdilos, Karkinagrio and Raches Christou. Ikaria has also natural thermal springs famous for their healing properties since ancient times that attract visitors from all over Greece who undergo spa treatments.

 

Ikaria produces olive oil, grapes for wine making, raisin, walnuts, almonds and tasty apricots. It is also known for its honey.

 

 

By air from Athens International Airport or by ferry boats departing from Pireaus Port in Athens.

 

 

From May till September is the best season when most of the famous festivities take place.