Ikaria: The island of longevity with its beautiful beaches and Greek… Seychelles

Ikaria, the island of longevity. The wild, virgin island of the Northeast Aegean. A beloved location for hermit travelers and the most beloved among alternative youth in recent years, it took its name from the well-known Greek myth of Icarus. The steadfast and uncompromising island to the west of Samos initially has a large area – 255 sq. km – and many of the natural landscapes are protected by the Natura 2000 program. Note that the main features of Ikaria are its rich vegetation (from arbutus and oak trees to cypresses, plane trees, olive trees, apricots, and pine forests), gorges, rivers, and streams. For the most part, Ikaria is mountainous, with the Atheras mountain range occupying a large volume. The highest peak is 1,041 meters.

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Ikaria: The two sides of the island

Holidays here will be completely different from any other island you have visited, and the reason for this is very specific. Ikarians stubbornly refuse to change the slow pace of their daily lives. For this reason, an island in the northeastern Aegean is also among the top five regions with the longest-lived inhabitants in the world.

The capital of the island is the quiet Agios Kirikos, while the informal capital of a completely different style in northern Ikaria is Evdilos. The two settlements above are the main ports of Ikaria. In fact, many times, southern and northern Ikaria give the impression of being two different islands.

If you choose a holiday centered on Agios Kirikos – the south side of the island, then prepare for peaceful holidays, at a leisurely pace in a pure landscape. If, on the other hand, you choose the north side, then prepare for strong emotions and late nights with the unique festivals of the island and the wild seas of the Ikarian Sea as the absolute protagonist of your everyday life.

Ikaria: Famous beaches, charming destinations

Armenistis is the epicenter of all morning and nightlife activities on the north side of the island. This is probably the most touristic version of all Ikaria. It has very nice dining shops and equally nice bars, and, of course, panoramic sea views. Here you will find good accommodation suggestions as well as nice little shops with souvenirs and local goodies. Armenistis beach is a small cove with a few umbrellas.

Since the seas in Ikaria do not… They joke that since the Ikarian Sea is wild and the island is exposed to the winds on all sides, little Armenistis is a very good choice for swimming on the north side of the island. Next to Armenistis, there is Livadi beach. It is worth honoring!

The next most famous village is the famous Christos Rachon, objectively one of the most beautiful and traditional villages of Ikaria. On August 6th, it hosts one of the island’s most famous festivals (after those of the Fifteenth of August). Since rooms to let on the island are few, here are some good accommodation suggestions. And also, in Christos are probably the most “delicious” bars of the island. In fact, one of them is the “tree house” with the two entrances. Keep in mind that the shops here start operating after seven in the evening, and this is the time when the village slowly starts to come to life. The rhythms of the village, its beauty, and its uniqueness will make you think that you have come to the Gallic village of Asterix.

The most famous beach on the north side of the island is undoubtedly Messakti. Long in length, organized, with beach bars, sunbeds, umbrellas, fine golden sand, crystal clear waters, and waves that surfers love.

That’s why Messakti is one of the well-known and crowded Greek hot spots for surfing. It overlooks the beautiful Ascension Church at the port of Gialiskari. Note that you will descend -and then climb- many steps from the main road where you will leave your vehicle.

Equally famous is the beach of Na, in a magical location also on the north side of the island. Although it is small (located near the village of Armenistis), its waves, when the wind catches them, require close attention, as the water deepens abruptly. It has coarse sand and small pebbles. On the back side of the beach, where all hours of the day, the traffic is very high, there is dense vegetation and the river Halaris, which joins the sea. If you go a little further into the river, you will see springs and small waterfalls.

The picturesque landscape is complemented by the historical ruins of a temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis, which you will see at one end of the beach. Here you are. Note that you can enjoy local delicacies while overlooking the gorge of Halaris in the taverns that stand on the edge of the cliff. The sunset from this location is probably the most beautiful on the island.

On the most western side of the island, your visit is worth visiting Karkinagri, a seaside picturesque fishing village that extends from the mountain high to the sea. You can come here either by sea transport with the boat that operates the route Karkinagri – Manganitis – Agios Kirikos, or by road from the north side of the island, via Evdilos. The beach is located next to the port and has pebbles and sand. It is not organized, but it is beautiful, and there are restaurants and taverns within walking distance. Karkinagri is also a hot spot for lovers of alternative tourism, especially those who want to go mountaineering, paragliding, etc.

On the south side, a beautiful settlement with an equally beautiful long beach -and even with quiet waters- “generous” landscape in the Aegean and … Delicious taverns and cafes as well as accommodation suggestions are the Lighthouse. A must-visit spot on the south side is the Therma, which is also the main spa town of Ikaria.

The area has a vintage feel, due to its thermal tourism. In this village, there are 3 spa shops, while on the beach of the village, you will find places where hot springs emerge. Sitting after your bath in a café to enjoy a spoonful of sweet, as you understand, is a must!

The Greek Seychelles are located on Ikaria

This beach in northern Ikaria deserves special mention. The Ikarians themselves affectionately call Seychelles “the aquamarine of the island”. The truth is that the blue hue of its waters, with light emerald tones, is dazzling. What’s even more interesting is that Seychelles was created by mistake.

It was in 1985 when the rockslide during the opening of the tunnel to create a road to and from the village of Manganitis led to the rocks tumbling into the water. Over the years, the water did its job and somehow, in essence, “by mistake”, a top Greek beach was formed.

The exotic, a la Caribbean scenery is ideally complemented by the fine white pebbles of the beach and the impressive granite rocks that surround it. In fact, the imposing white rocks create underwater caves around the beach. As you understand, Seychelles is ideal for exploring and diving at the bottom of the sea (so don’t forget your mask), but also for scuba diving from the granite rocks!

In fact, Seychelles is one of the three beaches of Manganitis, which is one of the most beautiful fishing villages of Ikaria. The granite rocks and the rich vegetation -with olive and pine trees- are the main features of the landscape of Manganitis, which, apart from being idyllic, is also one of the largest villages of Ikaria. Here you will find scattered, very nice taverns, café-bars, and rooms to let. As for the other two beaches, they are Fyrodi and Gialos, next to the picturesque harbor of the village.

Experience the famous festivals

The festivals of Ikaria are a capital in themselves and also a huge part of the cultural identity of the island. They are organized on the day the church is celebrated in each village.
In the summer, a plethora of festivals are organized in all possible and unlikely places on the north side of the island (in southern Ikaria, there is no culture of mass festivals). In clearings, outside churches, basketball courts, open spaces with panoramic sea views, etc.

The mystical, primordial way they are organized and their absolute Dionysian identity have led Ikaria to receive waves of Greeks and then foreign tourists, mainly young, who come here again and again to live this unique experience throughout Greece. The circular Ikarian dance sets the tone for the festivals with its dynamic, gradually escalating music, making the dancers, as you will see, often shout together rhythmically.

In fact, Greek and foreign documentarians have made plenty of films focusing on this process; if you attend once, you will be overwhelmed by its energy, and what we are saying is not at all exaggerated. The most famous and biggest festivals take place in August, with the most famous being that of Lagada, in a difficult location that will give you the feeling that you are at the center of the earth.

Note that in all this cinematic climate, you will taste goat cooked traditionally by the Ikarians -goat is the top dish of the island- Greek salad, and other various goodies. Of course, there is also the local Ikarian wine, with its own intense, characteristic taste. If you are lucky, you may find the first violin of Ikaria playing at a festival, and this is none other than the artist Nikos Fakaros.

How to get to the island of Ikaros. You will come to Ikaria by ferry from Piraeus. During the summer months, you will find up to two itineraries to the island per day. The trip lasts about 10 hours, depending on the boat’s stops. You can choose whether your arrival port will be Evdilos or Agios Kirikos, depending on where you have chosen to spend your vacation. Happy holidays and good dives in the beaches of Ikaria!