Hellenism archive

Ikaria, a little island west of Samos, has known great popularity in recent years. Its capital is the port of Agios Kirikos on the southeast coast. There is also another port on the north coast, Evdilos. The island is mountainous for the most part with slopes, bare cliffs and many beautiful beaches. Ikaria is famous for its natural beauty, hot springs and the way of life and customs of its inhabitants, who are among the most long-living of the world. The summer festivals of the island are very famous. Locals and foreigners dance the Ikarian dance, drink local wine and eat rusk meat from the semi-wild goats of the island. There are 14 hiking trails on the island and tourists love exploring the villages and landscapes of Ikaria, such as the valley of Nas.

Between Samos and Ikaria, there are 20 islands known as Fournoi. A common feature of all the islands is their very long coastline. The biggest islands are Fournoi and Thymaina, which are inhabited. The inhabitants are involved in shipping and fishing. Fournoi is a relatively isolated island which offers a quiet vacation.

How to get there:

• You can get to Ikaria by ship or plane. It is connected to the port of Piraeus and Samos and the islands of Syros, Mykonos, Paros and Naxos. During the summer months the island is connected to Kos, Kalymnos, Leros and Patmos. There are daily flights to Athens from the airport of the island. The flight takes about 30-40 minutes.
• Fournoi island has a port that is connected to Piraeus three times a week. It is also connected to the ports of Ikaria and Samos. From Piraeus the trip lasts about ten hours, and the transition from Ikaria and Samos lasts about an hour.