Ikaria (Ικαρία or Nicaria) is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, part of the Eastern Sporades archipelago. The island is located west of Samos, north of Patmos, and has an oblong form, due to which in ancient times was called Makris or Dolishi (Long). Another old name of the island is Ichthyossa (Fish), obtained due to the always rich catch.
Ikaria Island is an ideal place for a relaxing holiday, as there are no real noisy tourist centers in the traditional sense. But it is famous for its pristine nature and thermal mineral springs
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How to get there Ikaria is located 19 km from the island of Samos, from which you can get by plane or ship. By sea, it will take 10 hours to get from the port of Piraeus to Athens, from the port in Kavala to 25 hours
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Climate
The climate of Ikaria is typically Mediterranean: summer is hot, dry, only slightly softened by the proximity of the sea. Winter is mild, but rainy. The average temperature in summer is + 24-28 ° C, in winter - from +5 ° C to +11 ° C. The most favorable time for visiting is from March to the end of October.
Beaches of Ikaria
The main attraction of Ikaria in spite of the fantastic beauty of nature and ancient monuments are its beaches. The most famous and popular among tourists and local residents are Fitema, Agia Paraskevi, Armenistis, Demonopetra, Kambos, Livadi, Nas, Ormos Nymphy, Prioni, Terma, Kerama, Lefkada, Pharos.
Treatment and spa
In addition, the island of Ikaria is well known far beyond Greece thanks to thermal mineral springs. In total there are 8 springs on the island, differing in temperature of water (reaching +58 ° C in certain areas): Termo, Chlio Termo, Askilipiu, Kiriku, Spielau Pamphili, Kratsa, Artemidos and Apollonos.
The thermal mineral springs of Ikaria are sodium chloride chloride, used both for baths and for ingestion. Recommended for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, skin, liver, kidneys and in gynecology.
main cities and resorts Ikaria
capital of the island, the town of Agios Kirikos attracts tourists Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum and the church of St Kirik. 2 km to the north-east of the capital is a resort farm with healing waters, descending directly to the beach. Nearby are the ruins of an ancient acropolis. 2 km south-west of Agios Kirikos there is another balneological resort of Lekfada Farm. Nearby is the Annunciation Monastery.
Perhaps the best view of the island opens if you climb Mount Fitro, towering above the capital of the island. Its slopes are covered with wild vegetation, below as in a palm the city and surrounding villages are seen, and around around, as far as the eye can see, the Ikari sea shines in the sunlight.
Evdilos is the former capital of the island, and now is the second port of Ikaria, where ferries from the mainland and other Aegean islands arrive along with Agios Kirikos. Its architecture is distinguished by a lot of houses of neoclassical style.
Cambos is famous for the ruins of ancient Inoi, the Church of St. Irene and the archaeological museum . In addition, this place has been fostered since ancient times by the glory of the most fertile stretch of the island: here for the first time the sacred Dionysian vine grew, from which they receive Pramnian wine . Once upon a time the settlement was the capital of the island, from the Byzantine era, when it bore the name of Dolichi, the ruins of the ancient city are preserved in the city, then there are directly encountered between the times houses . Also here are the remains of the Roman Odeon (Conservatory), built in I at . n . e .
Yaliskari is a small seaside village with a magnificent view of the island of Diapori with the Resurrection Church rising on it. Here also are the best beaches of Ikaria - Mesakti and Livadi
Langada - one of the oldest villages of Ikaria, settled since the beginning of the Byzantine era. In memory of the glorious history of the island, fragments of the fortress built for the defense of Ikaria from pirates, old churches, an ancient prison and the ruins of the administrative building are preserved here.
The picturesque bay and town Us was named after Artemis Bikogogonitelnitsy (Tavropolos Artemis) goddess and word Naos is a temple. In addition, in the vicinity of Nasa preserved part of the ancient port. A little higher is the Halari gorge - a bioreguard protected by the international organization Natura. This is the stopping place for dozens of protected bird species flying here during seasonal migration.
Drakano is another ancient city of Ikaria. Its ten-meter tower was the perfect observation point for the sea route between Ikaria and Samos. Next to the ancient acropolis is the church of St. George, and directly in front of it is a secluded beach
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Ikaria
Munde Monastery is literally in the midst of a pine forest in Wafes. The artificial lake perfectly fitted into the surrounding landscape with amazing beauty, and the local church of the Annunciation of the Virgin - a basilica with 3 naves, carved wooden iconostases and icons of the early 20th century by the icon painter Zosima - was erected as far back as the 15th century.
Koskin fortress - the most impressive fortress of Ikaria . Unapproachable, it helped protect the island from Byzantine invaders. Situated on one of the highest peaks of the island - Mount Afera, it offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area. Inside the fortress there is a small church of St. George
Also on the island there is a large number of different kinds of caves, and some of them have not yet been fully explored. Of interest are the objects of everyday use found in them and other archaeological finds, in many of them traces of ancient rituals were found. Each of these caves has its own history: Katafigio with the nearby St. Nicholas Church, Protari, Halaris, Spilaeo, Drakospilo, Parafiri, Lukaraos, Alama and many others. Photo Ikaria (16)