Sightseeing in Ikaria Island - what to see. Complete travel guide

Ikaria is the picturesque island in the Aegean Sea, which has received its name in honor of the mythical character Icarus. That’s a very quiet and picturesque island without large-scale resort centers or noisy environment. In addition to the unique nature, the island features mineral springs, so a huge amount of thermal spas are equipped there for holidaymakers. Fans of exploring historic sites would like Ikaria too. The first settlement on the island was founded in ancient times.
You can’t plunge into the culture of a country without trying its national dishes. You should definitely miss a couple of meals at your hotel and visit the local taverns. It is easy to … Open
Local ancient towns have preserved many historical monuments; one of the most interesting to explore is the town of Vafes. There is the ancient Monastery of Munde characterized by extremely harmonious atmosphere. The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin is considered one of the most interesting among religious attractions; it’s decorated with luxury wooden handmade iconostasis. Within the walls of the temple there is a rich collection of icons, whose age is more than a hundred years. The temple has been founded in the 15th century, since than its appearance hasn’t changed.
The main historical symbol of Ikaria is the Castle of Koskinou built to protect the island from the Byzantine conquerors. Fortification is located on top of the Mount Koskinas, one of the highest points of the island. Walls of the ancient Church of St. George have survived outside the city. Well next to the fortress there are excellent viewing platforms for tourists. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
While communicating with Greeks remember that some of the gestures have peculiar meaning here. For example, they express any objections by raising their eyebrows and their whole head … Open
Numerous caves attracting not only curious travelers, but archaeologists represent the feature of the island. Many priceless artifacts of ancient times were discovered in times of exploration; today all those interested can walk around the mysterious caves. One of the most interesting places to visit is Katafygi cave situated next to the beautiful Church of St. Nicholas.
IKARIA-04 Many important sights can be found in the capital of the island, Agios Kirikos. The Archaeological Museum, as well as the Agios Kirikos Monastery that is one of the oldest on the island operates there. The important archaeological site, where the antique acropolis has being hundreds of years ago, is not far from the capital. A great place for hiking is the port city of Evdhilos . A huge number of beautiful buildings constructed in the neoclassical style can be seen there. The whole area of the town is the incredibly amazing architectural complex.
Ikaria is called in honour of famous Icarus, the son of an architect Daedalus, made his fatal fall from the sky during his flight from Crete because his wax and feather wings melted. It is … Open
Kambos attracts fans of ancient history; this is where the ancient settlement of Inoya has been situated. For many years, scientists have been investigating these places; you can see their precious findings in the local archaeological museum. During a walk through Langada you can enjoy a lot of beautiful old buildings and ruins, which have defended the island against pirates for many years.
The picturesque Chalari Gorge will appeal to nature lovers. It lies in the path of birds’ migration taking place several times a year. The gorge is characterized by an abundance of rare species of plants; amazing walking routes lie on its territory. Those who wish to enjoy the panoramic view of the island are recommended to climb Atheros Mountain. Its foothill areas are very interesting to study, not only to biologists, but also to those interested in ethnography.
Enthusiastic naturalists will surely love Ikaria. You should definitely visit Chalari Gorge which is located close to Nas settlement. It is a bioreserve protected by international … Open
Guests of Ikaria like small historical villages as much as larger resort destinations. Having visited them, travelers will be able to admire the national heritage of the island and get acquainted with the lifestyle of local people. These smaller settlements have a very interesting architecture with miniature houses that have thick roofs made of stone. Such peculiar constructions are not random – on hot days, these thick stone roofs protect the houses from overheating and help to keep cool temperature inside. In smaller settlements, there are charming artisan shops and cute taverns where visitors can always try popular national treats.
In a variety of beautiful resort towns, travelers are particularly attracted by the wonderful seaside settlement of Yaliskari. It is believed that that most beautiful and picturesque beaches of the island, Mesakti and Livadi, are not far from the town. Yaliskari is located in a picturesque hilly area, so travelers can easily combine beach recreation with the exploration of picturesque areas. There are many naturally formed observation decks that offer stunning views of the seaside and the nearby island of Diapori. Nas is a town that is famous mostly because of its charming beach that is located in an important and interesting archaeological area.
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Sightseeing in Greece: things to see

Peloponnese Peninsula is an important tourist object of Greece. There are many legends connected with the peninsula. Most of them are about the ancient city of Corinth and its grandiose temples and acropolis. The temples of Athena and Apollo have survived in best condition. Both the temples were constructed in the 6th century BC. Macedonia is another popular tourist destination. This part of Greece is not only rich in historic landmarks, but is also very beautiful. Spectacular waterfalls, ruins of ancient settlements, odea and oases – you will see all these and even more in Macedonia. Crete Island is simply adored by travellers as this is a wonderful place with rich history. The most famous sights of the island include Minotaur Labyrinth, Minos Palace and around a hundred of other ancient monuments that tell more about Greek gods and heroes. Every city and region in Greece can strike visitors with their rich heritage and share many interesting stories about past centuries. … Open
Reference information
Map of all castles
Survived castles around Ikaria Island
♥   Castle 'Monastery of Saint John the Theologian' Patmos, 47.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Leros Castle' Leros, 81.3 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Agia Tower' Naxos, 83.4 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Castle of Chios' Chios, 85.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Naxos Castle' Naxos, 88.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo

Sightseeing in regions nearby Ikaria Island

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