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.

Drakano Fortress

Icaria, also spelled Ikaria, is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, 10 nautical miles southwest of Samos.

Temple Of Artemis

Foundations of a 6th-century BC sanctuary located at Nas beach. Historically dedicated to the goddess Artemis, the site served as a harbor for ancient sailors.

Pyrgos tou Drakanou

A 13-meter-high circular limestone tower dating to the 4th century BC. It served as a military observation post overlooking the sea between Icaria and Samos.

Pharos Papa

A stone lighthouse constructed in 1890 at Cape Papas. Standing 11 meters tall, it remains one of the most important navigational aids in the Aegean.

Spelaio Dionysou

A seaside cave near Drakano associated with the mythological birth of the god Dionysus, featuring natural stalactite formations.

Megalo Phragma

A large artificial reservoir and dam located in the mountainous Pezi region, used for irrigation and local water management.

Mikro phragma

A smaller secondary dam and reservoir in the Pezi area, complementing the island's water storage system.