Ikaria Beaches: The Best Beaches, Island Guide & Hotels

The beaches of Ikaria

Ikaria's finest beaches are on the green north coast, and most of the best lie near Armenistis. Livadi is a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by green nature, with a river running across it, sunbeds, parasols and several restaurants. Messakti, also in the north, is a fine sandy beach split by two small rivers, with a tiny church on an islet offshore, sunbeds and tavernas. Nas, 6 kilometers west of Armenistis, has a river running to the beach, the foundations of a 6th-century-BC temple to Artemis, and is used by naturists. Kampos, near Evdilos, is a long, quiet sandy beach with a small restaurant, while the small sandy beach of Evdilos itself is rarely visited. Seychelles, in the south near Manganitis, is a striking pebble beach in a blue-water cove with a big cave nearby, reached on foot along a riverbed. Other beaches include Faros and the official nudist beach of Drakano near the Drakano fortress in the east, quiet Ieros in the north-west, and the pebble beaches of Prioni, Tsoukala and Xilosirtis near Agios Kirikos, plus Therma with its healing springs.

The island of Ikaria

Ikaria lies in the northern Aegean, about 19 kilometers south-west of Samos, and belongs to the department of Samos. It is named after Icarus, who in the Greek myth flew too close to the sun and fell into the sea here; the mountainous island even has the shape of a wing, its hills scattered with pine trees. Most ferries arrive at Agios Kirikos in the south-east, a quiet town of neo-classical captains' houses with its own hot springs, the springs of Asclepious, and a small archaeological museum. A bus runs north along the cliffs and through the mountains to Evdilos, the second port, set against a hill in a small bay, and on to the popular beaches of Armenistis, where the pine forests, vineyards and best beaches of the island are found. Tourism is light, and the best months for peace and mild weather are June and September.

Where to stay on Ikaria

Most visitors base themselves in the green north, around Armenistis and Evdilos, close to the best beaches.

Hotel Atheras

Hotel Atheras is a base on Ikaria for exploring the island, which sits on the edge of the island group and stretches towards the Cyclades, with ferries calling at Evdilos in the north and Agios Kirikos in the south.

Kerame Studios & Apartments

Kerame stands by Kerame Beach, just 1 kilometer from the centre of Evdilos, an ideal base for excursions into the Ikarian countryside. It has a swimming pool, a bar and a restaurant serving Greek cuisine, free wireless internet and 24-hour reception, and offers studios and apartments with sea view, each fully equipped with kitchen, air conditioning and TV.

Erofili Beach Hotel, Armenistis

Erofili Beach Hotel sits in the picturesque village of Armenistis, next to Livadi and Messakti beaches, overlooking the sea. Rooms are tastefully decorated, each with a private balcony and sea views, and breakfast is served on a sunny terrace. There is an outdoor pool area and a jacuzzi, with the local beaches, tavernas and bars just steps away.

Cavos Bay Hotel, Armenistis

Cavos Bay Hotel is built in traditional style on the north coast, in six tiers on a hillside above the sea-dashed rocks, with brilliant views from the room verandas, two saltwater swimming pools, a pool bar and an internet cafe, near the fishing village of Gialiskari. This is where site contributor Dirk Slegers stayed: he rated Armenistis, a small but authentic fishing village with two nearby sandy beaches - one busier, one very quiet - and Nas beach a short drive away, the best choice on the island.

Getting to Ikaria

Ikaria has almost daily ferry connections to Piraeus and regular ferries to its neighbouring islands of Fourni and Samos, with boats calling at Evdilos in the north and Agios Kirikos in the south. Schedules change often, so check the ferry operators before you travel. If you prefer to fly, the easiest route is to fly to Samos, which has an international airport with connections from several countries in season and from Athens, and continue to Ikaria by ferry.