Ikaria, North East Aegean
Cliffs seen from a boat, Ikaria, Greece julesvernex2-3.jpg · Jules Verne Times Two · CC BY-SA 4.0

North East Aegean

Ikaria: pine ridges, ravines and villages above the sea

Twenty-one miles long and never more than five wide, with pine-covered hills, untamed ravines and villages clinging to slopes that drop straight into the sea.

Blessed with superb beaches and breathtaking scenery, notably the pine covered hills and untamed ravines, Ikaria also possesses quaint, unspoilt villages and superior tourist accommodation. Situated between Samos in the east and Paros in the west, Ikaria is a long and narrow island 21 miles in length and between 3 & 5 miles wide.

The coastline is tortuous, quite often dropping dramatically straight to the sea with most of the small villages clinging precariously to their footholds on the sheer slopes. The south-east around Faros is the exception, where the ground flattens enough for ordinary walking and ordinary parking.

The village of Armenistis with its magnificent, sandy beaches and sleepy, relaxed atmosphere lies beneath fine wooded scenery on the north west coast of Ikaria. A small, picturesque harbour, surrounded by a handful of tavernas and cafes is as exciting as it gets in Armenistis. Car hire is a positive consideration during your stay on Ikaria. There are a number of lovely villages as well as the scenic splendour of the interior of the island worth exploring.

Things to do

Walking to the inland Rahes hamlets from Armenistis has become increasingly popular. Locally printed guide maps now offer visitors the opportunity to explore this beautiful area on foot. Longer hikes are also possible including the descent of Halaris canyon and crossing the island to Manganitis. A lazier way to see the island is to take one of the organized bus excursions, one of which includes dinner in the Rahes hamlet of Christos.

Getting there

Travel between Samos and Ikaria is by ferry (2 hrs. 5 mins.).

Getting to Ikaria
LegByRoughly
Samos → Ikariaferry2 hrs 5 min

Crossing times are the scheduled durations of the route, not a timetable. Sailings vary by season and operator.

Ikaria: the practical questions

How do you get to Ikaria?
By ferry from Samos in about two hours, or on the Piraeus routes. Ikaria has its own small airport with domestic connections, which shortens what is otherwise a long journey.

Where should you stay?
Armenistis on the north-west coast, beneath wooded hills, with magnificent sandy beaches, a small picturesque harbour and a handful of tavernas and cafes. It is as busy as Ikaria gets, which is not very.

Is the terrain really that steep?
Yes. The coastline is tortuous and frequently drops straight to the sea, with villages holding on to sheer slopes. The exception is the south-east around Faros, where the ground flattens enough for ordinary walking and ordinary parking.

Do you need a car?
It is a positive consideration rather than a formality. The villages and the interior are the best of the island, and without a car most of both stays out of reach.

What are the walks like?
Walking inland from Armenistis to the Rahes hamlets has become the standard route, and locally printed guide maps cover it. Longer options include the descent of the Halaris canyon and a crossing of the island to Manganitis. Organised bus excursions cover the same ground for anyone not walking, one of them including dinner at the Rahes hamlet of Christos.

More of the North East Aegean