Ikaria is the ideal island for those
who adore the pure and wild nature. Its marvelous natural
landscapes, the archaeological interests, the calm way
of life, the numerous places to fish, the crystal clear
waters and above all, the cheap cost of vacations began
to attract many visitors. Ikaria and the surrounding sea
took their name after Daedalus' son, Ikaros, who according
to Mythology fell on the rocky coasts of the island and
was killed because the sun had melted his wax feathers.
It is a large island,
which until recent years was visited mainly for its healing baths.
However the wealth of its natural landscapes, the archaeological
interest, the calm way of life and the relatively cheap cost of
vacations began to attract a great number of tourists. Still unknown
to the majority of Greeks, Ikaria is an island where you may spend
your vacations proportional to your interests. It has abundant
vegetation on the mountains and the coasts are full of beaches.
The island of Ikaria is an ideal place for family vacations. Busses
are the main means of transportation which will take you to all
of the islands' many beautiful villages. The radium healing springs
of Ikaria are considered the most effective of all. You can arrive
in Ikaria by boat from Piraeus and Kavala. You may also get to
Ikaria via the nearby islands of Samos, Patmos and Fourni. The
capital of Ikaria is Aghios Kyrikos, which is the main port of
the island used mostly by the family vacationers who visit the
islands natural springs. On the other side of Ikaria there exists
another port at Evdilos. This is an extremely busy port due to
its geographic location at the heart of Ikarian tourism.
Sights
The Metropolis and Agios Nikolas is in the building of the
secondary school. It includes clay, wooden and metal utensils
and tools, wooden iconostases, icons, lithographies etc.
According to tradition, the trap door below the sanctuary
of the church of Aghios Dimitrios leads to a cave. It was
a hiding place for the Ikariotes during the years of the
pirates' invasions. Therma is the bath town of Ikaria, with
hotels, restaurants, centers and a very good beach. To the
west of Chora lies Lefkada. On the way to Xylosyrtis you
can visit the monastery Evangelismos.
From Aghios Kirykos
to Armenistis is an excursion to north Ikaria. The village Karavostamos
with a very good beach is in a distance of 12 Km. Continuing your
way you will arrive in Evdilos, once the capital of the island
with a picturesque small port. Its name means obvious, open horizon.
From Evdilos you can have short trips to the north, west and central
areas of Ikaria. A road will lead you to the center of Ikaria
also known as Messaria (in Greek Messaria means middle of the
island). There are five beautiful and small villages to be found
here which are Akamatra, Dafni, Petropouli, Kossikia and Stelli.
From Messaria, you can take the road west to visit the rest of
the island. Heading west past Evdilos, you arrive in Kampos. Here
it was the location of the ancient town Oenoi or Oeni. Its earlier
nomination indicated that its inhabitants cultivated vineyards.
In Kampos tyere is an archeological museum with sculptures and
secular bass relief's from the classical to the Hellenistic age.
After Kampos a road on the left arrives in Frantato. A beautiful
village in a pine wood with a nice climate and a view. Going on
your way you arrive in Gialiskari. An endless beach of Livadi
and of Mesahti arrives in Armenisitis, which is the port of the
area Raches. West of Armenistis there is Nas, an abandoned small
port with the sanctuary of Diana. Finally, from Arministis a road
will lead you to the Christ of Raches, which is considered an
ideal place for summer vacations.
