Ikaria

Island · North Aegean, 🇬🇷 Greece

Population 8,843

Area 253 km²

Time zone Europe/Athens

Ikaria – Planning a Trip?

Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.

Start Planning

Featured Lists

Man77 / Public domain

Icaria Essentials

Icaria is defined by its rugged landscapes and historical depth. This selection spans from the 4th-century BC Tower of Drakano to the white-pebbled Seychelles Beach. Explore the island's Byzantine heritage at Kastro Koskina, the ancient ruins of the Temple of Artemis at Nas, and the dramatic Halari gorge. The list also highlights local viticulture traditions and museums in Agios Kirikos and Kampos that document the island’s role in the Aegean from the Neolithic era to the Roman period.

11 places

Man77 / Public domain

Best of Icaria

Icaria’s landscape is defined by its rugged mountains, turquoise coastlines, and ancient history. This selection features the iconic Seychelles Beach, formed by a landslide, and the ruins of the 4th-century BC Drakano Tower. Cultural highlights include the Byzantine Kastro Koskina and the unique Theoktisti Monastery, where a chapel is sheltered by giant granite boulders. Archaeological collections in Agios Kirikos and Kampos preserve Neolithic and Hellenistic artifacts, while the beaches of Nas and Messakti offer natural beauty near the ruins of the Temple of Artemis.

10 places

Man77 / Public domain

Hidden Gems of Icaria

Icaria’s lesser-known sites range from the 4th-century BC Drakano Tower, a limestone military outpost, to the foundations of the 6th-century BC Temple of Artemis at Nas. The island’s rugged terrain features the mythical Cave of Dionysus and the 19th-century Papa Lighthouse at the southwestern tip. This selection highlights the archaeological ruins and essential infrastructure like the Pezi dams that define the island’s remote landscape.

7 places

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Best Beaches in Ikaria

Ikaria’s coastline ranges from the granite cliffs and turquoise waters of Seychelles, formed by a 1985 landslide, to the northern surf breaks of Messakti. Many beaches sit adjacent to archaeological sites, such as the Temple of Artemis at Nas and ancient Oinoe at Kampos. The island’s northern shore features long sandy stretches fed by freshwater rivers, while the south is characterized by secluded pebbled coves and steep rock formations.

9 places

Churches and Monasteries

Ikaria’s spiritual heritage is defined by its integration with the island's rugged terrain. This collection features the 16th-century Theoktisti Monastery, famous for its chapel tucked beneath massive granite boulders, and the 15th-century Mounte Monastery set within a dense forest. The list covers significant religious sites ranging from the neoclassical cathedral in Agios Kirykos to the 18th-century Evangelismos Monastery, showcasing unique post-Byzantine architecture, wood-carved iconostases, and historic frescoes.

10 places