Some words about Ikaria
Typical! My head is filled with pictures from Ikaria and I would like to describe this wonderful island with the best words, but....... I can't find them. So I will start with something, which I don't wanna tell and that is everything about the history of Ikaria. I know that there is a lot to tell, but I don't like history so much and so I will leave it for others. If you wanna read about the history of Ikaria you can go to the hri.organisation. They have to tell a lot.
Ikaria is one of the wildest and originalest islands of Greece. People calls it also the 'Unknown Beauty' of the Aegaeis. Gentle hills change into jagged, 1100 meters high mountains and expanded forests into meager, desolate landscapes. The roads between the localities are partially not asphalted yet. Even the main street, which connects Agios Kirikos in the south with Nas in the northwest is asphalted completely. The remaining places you only will reach by roads wich are made of crushed stone and sand, with some asphalted sections. The bus connections on the island are quite meager. On the timetable (twice a day from Armenistis to Aghios Kirikos) you should not rely. If you ask for the departure of the bus in a tourist Office, it can be possible that they answer, that you better ask the bus driver. But if one gets involved in this island, these ' incommodities step into the background. Ikaria is the destination for people, who do not look for luxury and animation, because Ikaria takes captive with its natural charm and its simplicity. The people are friendly and helpfully, but sometimes a little reserved. Nevertheless Ikaria offers everything to desire the heart to the holidaymaker. Ikaria counts with a coastal length of approx.. 168 km to the larger Greek islands already. Its situated 174 nautical mile southeast from Athens and 30 nautical miles west from Samos. The many different faces of Ikaria are as different, as possible.
In the south it is very hot. There is not very much water and bizarre rock formations stretches along the coast. The coastal region has two faces. In the southeast you will find sumptuous vegetation and dense forest covers the slopes partially. The southwest is very meagerly in contrast to the southeast, jagged and bald. You will only find a few cypresses, some kneelhigh bushes and from time to time a few oleanderbushes. The coast drops steeply into the sea and sometimes you can see some seals. If you wanna see more photos of the south, then watch the photoshow Impressions from the south.
The west is shaped by two completely different landscape forms. One part is a meager and absolutely desolate area. I quite would call it stone desert. Nevertheless you should not avoid this area. In the opposite! Let yourself get involved of it and let it affect on you, and you can experience wondrous things. Here always blows a strong wind, which makes howling noises in the cavities in the stones. Sometimes your fantasie can run away with yourself. The second part of the west is shaped by the fruitful plateau of Langada. A river flows here, which brings the needed water for the plants. More Informations about the west of Ikaria you will find in the column 'Tourtips' under the route 'The wild west'.
The north is very rich of water, which becomes strongly apparent in the Flora. At the north coast everywhere small rivers run down the mountains and everywhere, where water is present, explode nature into most magnificent colors. Dense broom bushes, Oleandergrooves, almond and fruit trees and naturally olivetrees are growing everywhere. In spring, when everything is flourished, it is a splendour, which can described hardly with words. I can only recommend you to have some walking tours to discover the natures beauty. In the northwest around Christos Raches you will find dense Pinewood, which really invites to hikings. In addition you find the most beautiful beaches of Ikaria in the northwest. The best are 'Livadi' at Armenistis and 'Mesachti' at Gialiskari. There are Beachbars, where you can buy ice cream and beverages and you can rent sunshades and sunbeds. In dependence on the winds direction and the current, swimming is not completely harmless, because you can be pulled out in the sea by a very strong current. In the last years people drowned again and again unfortunately, who wanted to be to courageous.
About the east of Ikaria I can tell you not very much. I tried to drive from Perdiki to Faros, but the runway was in such a bad condition that I was afraid about my tires (unfortunately I did not have an Enduro). But what I have seen from the East, is very beautiful. It is very quiet there, which does not surprise, because there only a few villages here, but it is very green, as you can see it on the photo.
Typical! My head is filled with pictures from Ikaria and I would like to describe this wonderful island with the best words, but....... I can't find them. So I will start with something, which I don't wanna tell and that is everything about the history of Ikaria. I know that there is a lot to tell, but I don't like history so much and so I will leave it for others. If you wanna read about the history of Ikaria you can go to the hri.organisation. They have to tell a lot.
Ikaria is one of the wildest and originalest islands of Greece. People calls it also the 'Unknown Beauty' of the Aegaeis. Gentle hills change into jagged, 1100 meters high mountains and expanded forests into meager, desolate landscapes. The roads between the localities are partially not asphalted yet. Even the main street, which connects Agios Kirikos in the south with Nas in the northwest is asphalted completely. The remaining places you only will reach by roads wich are made of crushed stone and sand, with some asphalted sections. The bus connections on the island are quite meager. On the timetable (twice a day from Armenistis to Aghios Kirikos) you should not rely. If you ask for the departure of the bus in a tourist Office, it can be possible that they answer, that you better ask the bus driver. But if one gets involved in this island, these ' incommodities step into the background. Ikaria is the destination for people, who do not look for luxury and animation, because Ikaria takes captive with its natural charm and its simplicity. The people are friendly and helpfully, but sometimes a little reserved. Nevertheless Ikaria offers everything to desire the heart to the holidaymaker. Ikaria counts with a coastal length of approx.. 168 km to the larger Greek islands already. Its situated 174 nautical mile southeast from Athens and 30 nautical miles west from Samos. The many different faces of Ikaria are as different, as possible.
In the south it is very hot. There is not very much water and bizarre rock formations stretches along the coast. The coastal region has two faces. In the southeast you will find sumptuous vegetation and dense forest covers the slopes partially. The southwest is very meagerly in contrast to the southeast, jagged and bald. You will only find a few cypresses, some kneelhigh bushes and from time to time a few oleanderbushes. The coast drops steeply into the sea and sometimes you can see some seals. If you wanna see more photos of the south, then watch the photoshow Impressions from the south.
The west is shaped by two completely different landscape forms. One part is a meager and absolutely desolate area. I quite would call it stone desert. Nevertheless you should not avoid this area. In the opposite! Let yourself get involved of it and let it affect on you, and you can experience wondrous things. Here always blows a strong wind, which makes howling noises in the cavities in the stones. Sometimes your fantasie can run away with yourself. The second part of the west is shaped by the fruitful plateau of Langada. A river flows here, which brings the needed water for the plants. More Informations about the west of Ikaria you will find in the column 'Tourtips' under the route 'The wild west'.
The north is very rich of water, which becomes strongly apparent in the Flora. At the north coast everywhere small rivers run down the mountains and everywhere, where water is present, explode nature into most magnificent colors. Dense broom bushes, Oleandergrooves, almond and fruit trees and naturally olivetrees are growing everywhere. In spring, when everything is flourished, it is a splendour, which can described hardly with words. I can only recommend you to have some walking tours to discover the natures beauty. In the northwest around Christos Raches you will find dense Pinewood, which really invites to hikings. In addition you find the most beautiful beaches of Ikaria in the northwest. The best are 'Livadi' at Armenistis and 'Mesachti' at Gialiskari. There are Beachbars, where you can buy ice cream and beverages and you can rent sunshades and sunbeds. In dependence on the winds direction and the current, swimming is not completely harmless, because you can be pulled out in the sea by a very strong current. In the last years people drowned again and again unfortunately, who wanted to be to courageous.
About the east of Ikaria I can tell you not very much. I tried to drive from Perdiki to Faros, but the runway was in such a bad condition that I was afraid about my tires (unfortunately I did not have an Enduro). But what I have seen from the East, is very beautiful. It is very quiet there, which does not surprise, because there only a few villages here, but it is very green, as you can see it on the photo.
Surrounding Area of Kastro Kosikia
Deutsche
Version
Andi's Ikariapage
copyright by andreas schnetzer