The island took its name from Ikaros, the son of Dedalus. According to Greek mythology Ikaros tried to fly closer to the sun with his wax wings but fell on the sea when his wings melt from the heat. The islands was inhabited as early as 7.000 B.C. Its fertile land was conquered by Ottomans, Genovese, the St. John Knights, Italians and Germans until 1912 when it was incorporated with the rest of Greece.
The island of longevity.
Ikaria is an Island famous its natural and unspoilt beauty as well as the laid-back and relaxed living of its inhabitants.
Best of Ikaria
- Trekking in Halaris Gorge to enjoy the wild beauty of nature and the island
- Follow the marked route around Rahes in a beautiful area hiking by foot or mountain-biking
- Take part in at least one traditional fair in Ikaria - called Panigri - meet the culture, tradition, dance and lifestyle
- Ikaria is perfect for all watersports such as kite surfing, scuba diving, wind surfing and canoe-kayak
- The grape picking and wine making period in Ikaria is an outstanding experience for visitors and inhabitants
History
The island took its name from Ikaros, the son of Dedalus. According to Greek mythology Ikaros tried to fly closer to the sun with his wax wings but fell on the sea when his wings melt from the heat. The islands was inhabited as early as 7.000 B.C. Its fertile land was conquered by Ottomans, Genovese, the St. John Knights, Italians and Germans until 1912 when it was incorporated with the rest of Greece.
Sights
The ancient capital – Inoi – is still standing. You can see typical byzantine period buildings here, the Drakanos tower and the thermal springs in the Thermai.
An interesting landmark is the lighthouse of Kavo-Papas, built in 1886 by a French lighthouse company to guide the ships through one of the most difficult passages of the Aegean Sea between Ikaria and Mykonos.
Food & Kitchen
The most popular dish of the locals of Ikaria is wild goat. The local cuisine is equally based on meat and fish. Honey, olive oil and sweet preserves are the miraculous ingredients that earned the reputation for the Ikaria residents as the most long-living people in Europe.
Natural Scenery
The island is on a large extent rocky but full of changing environments: pine forests, waterfalls, as well as extremely beautiful beaches. Large parts of the island are home to rare birds and shelter wild animals. Many areas are protected reserves under the NATURA 2000 network. The more than 200 years old ancient forest of Rantis is the oldest on the Balcan peninsula. The lake Pezi and the Halaris canyon are unique and beautiful in their own special way.
Beaches
The coastline of Ikaria is mystic and beautiful. There are many small coves that can be explored by foot, bike or by chartering a boat for a day trip. Faros Lighthouse is a beautiful beach with sun chairs and one of the biggest on the island. Seychelles is an exotic beach with crystal clear water and white sand. Aris beach is a more remote beach with flat pebbles and close to a river mouth in an extraordinary reserve with flora and fauna. Respect the ‘leave-no-trace’ ethics there and enjoy the beauty of nature.