Ikaria is a long, mountainous island among the North-East Aegean islands, west of Samos. In myth Icarus, the son of Daedalus who flew too close to the Sun on wings of wax, fell into the nearby sea, which is named the Icarian Sea after him.
Ikaria has become famous as one of the "blue zones", the few places in the world where an unusually high share of people live past ninety. Researchers link this to a mix of factors: a Mediterranean diet of wild greens, pulses, honey and local wine, daily exercise on mountain paths, strong social ties and a relaxed pace of life.
In summer villages celebrate their patron saints with panigyria, festivals open to all with music, dancing (such as the ikariotikos) and communal meals that last until dawn. The hot springs of Therma, near Agios Kirykos, have been known since antiquity.
What to see
| Place | Why |
|---|---|
| Armenistis | North-coast village with the beaches of Livadi and Mesakti |
| Nas | Bay with the remains of a temple of Artemis and a beach at a stream mouth |
| Seychelles | White-pebble beach with turquoise water on the south coast |
| Christos Raches | Mountain village where shops open in the evening and stay open late into the night |
| Agios Kirykos and Evdilos | The two ports, with the spa and the seafront |
Getting there
A small airport has flights to Athens. Ferries from Piraeus take 7-10 hours and dock at Agios Kirykos or Evdilos; there are links with Samos, Fourni, Mykonos and Syros.