Ikaria is an island at the center of Ikario Pelagos. It is a long and narrow strip of land with many natural beauties. It is located 145 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus, southwest of Samos. Some years ago it used to be a place for elder visitors who were looking for cure by the hot mineral therapeutic springs of the island. Today it gives more and more attraction to all those who love wild beauty and natural scenery. Ikaria's 255 km of pristine coastline display an incredible range of scenery and unique seascapes. Unlike many of the neighbouring islands, Ikaria's shores have remained in their natural state. The environment is full of strong contradictions: Mountain slopes full of trees that meet with dry and steep rocks, wide beaches with thin shiny sand that coexist with rocky unreachable wild coastline. The Northeast part has always been a green and generously forested part, while the Southwest is dry, rocky and difficult to visit.

In ancient times the island was completely covered with forests and famous for its timber exports. As agriculture, herding and fishing developed as the Ikarians' mainstay the forests were gradually reduced, but the island is still one of the greenest in the Aegean and a place of much interest to hikers and nature lovers. Many species of trees, plants, flowers and wildlife thrive throughout the year in Ikaria's rich ecosystem.

The island as well as the sea around it are named after the ancient Hellenic myth of Icarus, son of Daedalus and Naucrate. Daedalus constructed wings for himself and his son to escape from Crete, and enjoined Icarus neither to fly high, lest the glue should melt in the sun and the wings should drop off, nor to fly near the sea, lest the damp should detach the pinions. But Icarus, disregarding his father's instructions, soared ever higher until the glue melted and he, falling into the sea afterwards named Ikarian after him, perished, being later buried by Hercules who happened to find him.

Ikaria and its people are famous for the extremely relaxed rhythms of life. It is a habit that people start work late in the afternoon and in some places you may not find a moving soul during the day. While at night you may see all the stores open and people buying goods, even at 2:00 or 3:00 after midnight.

In Ikaria you will find accomodation at Agios Kirikos, Armenistis, Evdilos, Raches, Therma.
For a detailed listing of all the available accomodation click here.