I-Heart-Mykonos-tank-top.jpg
Greek-flag-socks.jpg
Santorini-luggage-tag.jpg
save-water-drink-ouzo-t-shirt.jpg

Ikaria

Ikaria (or Icaria) is an island in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece between Samos and Mykonos and is truly one of Greece's travel secrets.

Ikaria in the North-East Aegean Islands of GreeceIkaria

With its dramatic mountain ranges and 102 miles (164 kms) of coastline, it's strange that Ikaria isn't better-known than it is. Even many regular travelers to Greece would find it hard to place on a map. For that reason, it makes the perfect Greek island destination for anyone seeking that elusive 'real' Greece.

Google Map showing Ikaria in the North-East Aegean Islands of GreeceMap (c) Google Maps

Icarus

The name of Ikaria, which is sometimes spelled Icaria, is said to have come from the legend of Icarus. Icarus and his father Daedalus wanted to escape from Crete by flying using wings that Daedalus, a master craftsman, had made. Daedalus advised Icarus not to fly too close to the water, or his wings might get damp and not function. He also advised him not to fly too close to the sun, in case its heat melted the wax that held the wings together. Icarus ignored his father's wise advice and did try to fly close to the sun. The wax melted and Icarus fell to his death.

Getting to Ikaria

Flying to Ikaria

Ikaria has a small airport but it's not big enough to accommodate large charter flights, so to get there you should fly to Athens, Samos, or Mykonos and take a ferry. 

Ferries to Ikaria

There are regular ferries to Ikaria from Piraeus with a journey time of about 8 hours. Nearby islands with ferry connections to Ikaria include Samos, Mykonos, Syros, Naxos, Paros, and the small island of Fourni. There are also high-speed flying dolphins from Samos to Ikaria, and these take 60-90 minutes. Make sure you know which port you want as there are three ports on Samos which connect with two different ports on Ikaria. 

Ferries in Greece

Ferries in Greece has an excellent and very thorough website where, in addition to checking ferry schedules and times, you can also book tickets and get lots of useful information about travelling by ferry in Greece.

Food on Ikaria

Plate of chick pea salad from Ikaria in the North-East Aegean Islands of GreeceChick Pea Salad

As Ikaria hasn't yet been over-run by tourism, you'll find good hearty food here, still made in the traditional ways. The excellent Ikarian diet is said to be one reason people here live longer. Studies have shown that the people of Ikaria live up to ten years longer than the world average.


What to Do on Ikaria

Ikaria is a decent-sized island with an area of about 255 sq km (98 sq miles) so there are plenty of hiking opportunities. Its highest point is 1,037 m (3,402 ft), so plenty of challenging hikes too, and with that 102 miles (164 kms) of coastline, lots of beaches for swimming and water sports. Ikaria also has some hot springs around which spas have developed.

Ayios Kirykos

Ayios Kirykos in the south-east of the island is the capital and one of the main ports. Nearby is one of the island's spas, Therma, and there are a few others within easy reach of the town. There's also an Archaeological Museum and a Folk and Historic Museum to visit. 

Church on Ikaria in the North-East Aegean Islands of GreeceIkaria Church

Armenistis

This pretty village has become one of Ikaria's main tourist spots, such as they are. It's about a 20-minute drive west along the coast from Evdilos. Armenistis has two huge beaches within walking distance, and you can also walk through nearby pine forests. Four villages inland from Armenistis are known collectively by the name of Rahes, and it's a delight to walk between them, and between the villages and Armenistis on the coast.

Archeological Museum of Kampos

Ikaria is unusual in having two archaeological museums, the second being in the hilltop village of Kampos on the north coast. This is just outside Ikaria's second town and other main port, Evdilos, and is well worth visiting. It's right next to the oldest church on the island, the 12th-century Ayia Irini.

Folklore Museum of Vrakades

Ikaria is well-served by museums, this one being in the village of Vrakades in the south-west of the island, about a 45-minute drive from Evdilos. 

Where to Stay on Ikaria


Other NE Aegean pages

  • Thassos is in the North East Aegean and on this page from the Greece Travel Secrets website you can also see information about flights and ferries to Thassos.

    Thassos in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece

    Thassos is in the North East Aegean and on this page from the Greece Travel Secrets website you can also see information about flights and ferries to Thassos.

  • The A-Z Thassos travel guide, including Kavala and Philippi, is newly updated for 2022 and is the most comprehensive guide to Thassos available.

    Thassos Travel Guide

    The A-Z Thassos travel guide, including Kavala and Philippi, is newly updated for 2022 and is the most comprehensive guide to Thassos available.

  • Samothraki (Greek) or Samothrace (English) is a small island in the north-east Aegean Sea with the closest Greek islands being Thassos and Lemnos.

    Samothraki

    Samothraki (Greek) or Samothrace (English) is a small island in the north-east Aegean Sea with the closest Greek islands being Thassos and Lemnos.

  • Samos is in the NE Aegean islands of Greece with attractions including Heraion and Pythagoreio, and this page tells you what to see and how to get there.

    Samos in the NE Aegean Islands of Greece

    Samos is in the NE Aegean islands of Greece with attractions including Heraion and Pythagoreio, and this page tells you what to see and how to get there.

  • The North East Aegean Islands include Lesvos, Thassos, Chios, Samos, Fourni, Ikaria, Limnos, Samothraki and here are tips on ferries, flights and what to do.

    North East Aegean Islands

    The North East Aegean Islands include Lesvos, Thassos, Chios, Samos, Fourni, Ikaria, Limnos, Samothraki and here are tips on ferries, flights and what to do.

  • A visit to the Museum of Samos Wine to learn about the muscat grapes that produce the best dessert wines in the world and also the Greek spirit, Metaxa.

    Museum of Samos Wine

    A visit to the Museum of Samos Wine to learn about the muscat grapes that produce the best dessert wines in the world and also the Greek spirit, Metaxa.

  • The island of Lesbos or Lesvos is in the North East Aegean Islands in Greece, and on this page you can see information including flights and ferries.

    Lesbos or Lesvos in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece

    The island of Lesbos or Lesvos is in the North East Aegean Islands in Greece, and on this page you can see information including flights and ferries.

  • The island of Lemnos (or Limnos) is in in the North East Aegean Islands and on this page you can see information about flights and ferries,

    Lemnos or Limnos in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece

    The island of Lemnos (or Limnos) is in in the North East Aegean Islands and on this page you can see information about flights and ferries,

  • The Greek island of Chios or Hios is a large island in the North East Aegean close to the Turkish coast, south of Lesvos and north of Samos, and famous for its mastic trees.

    Chios

    The Greek island of Chios or Hios is a large island in the North East Aegean close to the Turkish coast, south of Lesvos and north of Samos, and famous for its mastic trees.

  • The best things to do on Thassos in the North East Aegean islands of Greece include its beaches, mountain hikes, and visiting its ancient archaeological sites.

    Best Things to Do on Thassos

    The best things to do on Thassos in the North East Aegean islands of Greece include its beaches, mountain hikes, and visiting its ancient archaeological sites.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Greece Welcomes Parthenon Fragments Returned by the Vatican

    Greece welcomed three sculpture fragments from the Parthenon, which were returned following an intervention by Pope Francis by the Vatican Museums, during a reunification ceremony in Athens. The fragm…

    Read More

  2. PM: Greece to Hold General Elections on May 21

    Greeks will be going to the polls on May 21 after the country’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced the news on Tuesday.

    Read More

  3. Transavia to Fly Direct to Kefalonia from Paris in Summer 2023

    Low-cost Dutch airline Transavia, part of the Air France-KLM group, this summer will operate direct flights between Paris and the Greek island of Kefalonia two times per week, according to the Greek N…

    Read More

  4. Greece Among Europe’s Top 10 Most Desired Destinations for Easter

    Greece is among the 10 most searched for destinations in Europe, according to travel intelligence provider ForwardKeys, as intra-European air seat capacity is set to recoup pre-pandemic levels this Ea…

    Read More

  5. Elefsina’s Archaeological Museum Reopens After Refurbishment

    The Archaeological Museum of Elefsina, one of the first archaeological museums in Greece, has reopened its doors to the public after completing maintenance and improvement works. The upgrade focused o…

    Read More

  6. Athens’ Iconic Lykavittos Theater to Reopen in Fall

    The historic Lykavittos open-air theater atop Lycabettus Hill in central Athens, will be reopening to the public following a complete revamp, announced Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis this week. The po…

    Read More

  7. Passengers Rank Thessaloniki ‘Makedonia’ Airport Among Best in Europe

    Thessaloniki “Makedonia” Airport has been named one of the top in Europe at the 2022 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards by the Airports Council International (ACI) World and travel technology compan…

    Read More

  8. Greece on Top 20 List of Best Countries for Entrepreneurs and Startups

    Greece is among the top 20 countries for entrepreneurs and startups, according to a recent study conducted by Compare the Market, a UK-based insurance comparison website.

    Read More

  9. Travelers from Poland Already Booking Greek Summer Holidays

    Demand from Poland is growing with 30 percent of Polish travelers having already booked their holidays to Greece, according to feedback collected by the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) duri…

    Read More

  10. Europe’s Highest Growth in February Airbnb Demand was in Greece

    Demand for Airbnb-style rentals in Greece was the strongest in Europe last month despite historically being the least busy period of the year, marking a 60 percent increase compared to 2022, said anal…

    Read More