Hello beautiful people!
Let me talk about a different Greek island that I visited for the first time during August 2022.
Ikaria is not a Greek island like others, don’t visit it if you are looking for a picturesque island with beautiful architecture, characteristic white houses with the blue windows or the cute alleys with the souvenir shops around!
But it’s AUTHENTIC! As you may already know, some islands are very touristic and crowded, that sometimes I am the only Greek in a restaurant or the waiters don’t even speak Greek! Ikaria is exactly the opposite!
It is a Greek island known for the warm hospitality of the locals, with the pure and organic food from the garden and the Greek elements with the lively atmosphere everywhere in the villages.
What are the 3 characteristics of Ikaria though?
1. The longevity of the islanders. Did you know that 5 places in the world have been discovered where people live the longest, and are the healthiest? One of them is Ikaria island! Do you know the rest? Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya in Costa Rica and Loma Linda in California. The inhabitants of Ikaria live for many years thanks to, as they say, the nutritious Ikarian diet, optimism, walking and stress-free everyday life!
2. Panigiria. To be clear for those who don’t know, “Panigiri” is called the local festival in a village (to celebrate usually a saint of the Greek Orthodox church) with live traditional Greek music and local drinks, usually wine. It is often till early morning hours and you can find local food as well, meat, Greek salad, potatoes.
3. Surfing. Ikaria is known for the surfing in Mesakti beach… that’s why you should try it at least once! There is a famous surf club as well called “Ikaria Surf School” with coaches and great equipment! Of course you cannot compare Ikaria island with Bali, Australia, Costa Rica or Portugal but undoubtedly it’s one of the most famous spots in Greece for surfing! And this beach is absolutely stunning!
ACCESS
Ikaria has 2 ports and 1 airport.
You can get there (Evdilos or Agios Kyrikos port) either by ferry from the surrounding islands and port of Piraeus (duration 6-7 hours) or by plane 40 minutes from Athens airport. I went to the island by plane and left by ferry. You can book your tickets by ferry here: Ferryscanner.com
Angel’s tip: Although the trip by ferry is several hours, you need to take into consideration that the airport is located very far north in the island, especially if you stay in Raches, Armenistis or Gialiskari that the majority of the people does. There is no bus with regular service and taxi costs around 60-80 euros from the airport to Gialiskari (duration 1.20 hour). If you stay in Agios Kyrikos, airport is convenient though and ride lasts only 20 minutes.
Gialiskari beach and port
ACCOMMODATION
In my opinion, if you plan to stay many days in Ikaria & want to discover the whole island, spend half of your days on the one side of the island and the rest on the other. In Agios Kyrikos and Armenistis/Gialiskari. Road infrastructure is not the best and it takes a lot of time to get from one place to the other! If you want to stay in a single place, I strongly suggest that you stay in Gialiskari or Armenistis villages where famous beaches are, beach bars, restaurants & bars, while Raches villages are only 20 minutes drive. Angel’s tip: I chose Gialiskari village for 1 week that I visited the island and was the best option! It was so amazing that I could just walk to Mesakti beach.
BEST SEASON
Summer – July and August. While I visited the island during the most crowded season (around mid of August), I didn’t regret it! So many people but many festivals too. (you can learn from the locals and posters on the streets where each festival takes place). Angel’s tip: On the 15th of August I visited one of the most famous PANIGIRIA in Greece, in Langada village. It starts from noon till midnight and the vibes are amazing!
FOOD
During each meal I had, I felt the perfect quality of the ingredients. You cannot miss the goat dishes (delicious even though I don’t eat that kind of meat normally) and the local cheeses like kathoura. Another local dish is Soufiko and of course the local beers Ikariotissa and Wings.
I will recommend some of the restaurants I tried and you should definitely visit. That doesn’t mean of course there are not other restaurants with great dishes on the island. Angel’s tip: Note that when a panigiri takes places close to a restaurant or in the same village, the restaurant will remain closed to support the local community and “make you”buy food from the panigiri.
- Mitsaras for souvlaki in Agios Polykarpos village
- Filitsa in Kares village In Raches. Angel’s tip: try the goat in the pot and the beef patty.(biftekia)
- Burgers in Asterix in Christos village
- Madouvala In Karavostamos village for fish
- Stou Kaliari for fish and To Kioupi in Gialiskari village
- Sta perix in Akamatra village
- Tabouras in Christos village
- Theas, Naiades & Anna’s in Nas. Angel’s tip: Great for sunset as well, visit on that time.
- Sto Kambi & Platanos restaurants in Agios Dimitrios village
- Mia Zoi Pita for great local pies in Armenistis in Livadi area.
- Oinomageirio tis Popis in Fitema village
- Mary Mary in Armenistis village for more creative dishes.
- Sto gialó kánei…fourtouna for meze dishes in Manganitis village. Angel’s tip: the french fries & stuffed peppers are amazing.
BREAKFAST
So many places to enjoy breakfast in the island! Let me mention some…
- Carte postale in Armenistis village
- Hidden in Armenistis village
- Mikro cafe in Armenistis village
- Amaranthos bakery in Gialiskari village
- Puerto all day bar for brunch in Gialiskari village
- Rififi in Evdilos port
- Rahati stou pouriezi in Christos village
Hidden cafe bar restaurant
DON’T MISS
Raches area & Christos village. Ikaria doesn’t have picturesque streets that you can stroll around, shop and walk for hours lost in the cute alleys like Cyclades. Whilst Agios Polykarpos, Agios Dimitrios, Kares villages are worth your visit for food, they don’t have really anything else to see. 
BEACHES
- Seychelles beach: amazing beautiful waters but go as early as possible, since it is getting crowded fast during high season // access is not easy, ideally wear sneakers to walk safely 20 minutes after you park your car.
- Mesakti beach is incredible for surf & it has many beach bars that you can enjoy relaxing all day. You can park right outside. My favorite one!
- Nas beach: Go down the stairs & enjoy the view from above! A small beach with strong currents where there are north winds, so you need to be careful. (There is a rope to help you get out of the beach) Scenery is too beautiful!
- Agios Georgios beach: a wonderful beach with crystal clear waters close to the airport, no beach bars and you need to walk 10-15 minutes after the parking area in order to arrive!
- Armenistis is a small beach in the village, organized – ideal for families.
- Gialiskari beach: not exactly a beach but you can dive and the color of the waters is amazing .
- Livadi beach close to Armenistis . Usually there are many people doing free camping and a nice beach bar.
- Fles beach.
- Kambos beach.
- Nealia beach with a beach bar with music and great drinks. Angel’s tip: dirt road to arrive but ok with a normal car.
- Miliopo pebbly beach, access not the easiest.
- Faros beach with great waters & restaurants around.
- Iero sheltered beach with amazing waters close to the airport.
- Kerame pebbly beach.
NATURE LOVER?
Try hiking between the different villages but also do the Halari gorge, which is close to Nas. 
DRINKS
You can find many nice places to have a drink in Ikaria. Some are more like all day bars , others more for night. Let me suggest few that I tried:
- “White bar” in Evdilos port
- “Puerto all day bar” in Gialiskari village
- “Mythos bar” and “Hidden” in Armenistis as all day cafe-bars
- “Sto gialó kánei…fourtoúna” in Manganitis village
- “Dendrospito” for great cocktails in Christos village
- “Sknipa Rock bar” for late drinks in Christos village
- “Berdema bar” in Akamatra village
- “Ftero bar” in Agios Kyrikos village
White Bar in Evdilos port
EXPERIENCE
Ikaria has unique local wines. You can devote one of your nights to visit its wineries (Tsantiris, Afianes, Karimalis are the main ones) during sunset time. Angel’s tip: I visited Afianes winery & had an amazing experience which I truly recommend.
SUNSET
in Nas beach, restaurants in Nas village, Mesakti beach, Karimalis & Tsantiris winery.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Many times while driving from one place to the other especially from the beaches to Raches (the villages) you will see people without a car asking for a ride. Hitchhiking is very popular in Ikaria and it is great to help whenever you can.
- As I mentioned above, Ikaria is known for the longevity of the locals… that’s why you need to be patient since sometimes they do everything slowly with no anxiety and rush! So.. just take it easy and enjoy your time there! I was waiting for 30 minuntes to eat this delicious souvlaki. haha
DAY TRIP
You can take the ferry from Agios Kirikos port in Ikaria and visit “Fournoi” island. The ticket is 16 euros per person one way and duration is 20 minutes.
Check my Instagram account for more pictures & videos!
IG: angeliki.a_