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It\u2019s a unique island from many aspects, rich in natural compositions and one of the places claiming the birth of god Dionysus. On the slopes of the mountains there are a lot of little villages hidden between huge boulders, forests, ravines and coves. A characteristic thing about Ikaria is that, from antiquity to this day, no big or imposing building was ever constructed. Everything has remained simple and frugal, the same as the way of life of the people themselves.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1563308829027{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1563743691307{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 10% !important;padding-bottom: 10% !important;padding-left: 10% !important;}”]During the last decade there is a lot of discussion about the longevity of the Ikarians, a fact which is attributed to their active and good-quality everyday life. The basic components of the locals\u2019 diet which, according to scientists, contribute to their long life, are wild herbs and vegetables, mushrooms, honey and, of course, the local wine, the \u201cPramnian\u201d, as it was called in antiquity.<\/p>\n
Ikaria is well-known for the particular conception of time and the philosophy of its inhabitants. It\u2019s a special place gifted with a culture which is certainly worth knowing. The Ikarians are calm, hospitable and eager. No matter what time of the day it is, they will usually invite you for a glass of wine and some local delicacy and get you engaged in a friendly chat. Even though you just met, you will find out that they have a way of making you feel comfortable and look forward to meet them again.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2670″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1563308801058{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645608778723{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 10% !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 10% !important;}”]Something worth seeing in Ikaria is the style of the traditional stone-made houses which speak of the frugality and practicality of the old inhabitants who built their homes under trees or between large rocks to make it invisible and protect it from pirate raids. If you wish to find out more about local history, you may visit the small folklore museums in the villages of Agios Polikarpos, Vrakades and the town of Agios Kirikos, the archeological collection in the village of Kampos and the archeological museum of Agios Kirikos. You may also like to see the remains of the temple of goddess Artemis in Nas, the ancient tower in Drakanon and the artifacts found there in the recent excavations, as well as the small cove of \u201cIero\u201d near the airport and the cave where, according to legend, was the birthplace of Dionysus.<\/p>\n
You may also enjoy the beauty of the landscape and take a close look at the biodiversity of the island\u2019s nature through organized hiking tours in the old hiking trails which are being constantly marked and mapped. And, of course, you shouldn\u2019t miss the chance to have a good time, listening to violin music and dancing, eating goat meat and drinking wine, in one of the famous festivals (\u201cpanigiri\u201d) which are held in every village of Ikaria during the summer months.<\/p>\n
Ikaria is a green, mountainous island with a lot of running waters. Its square footage is 255 square kilometers and it has approximately 8.000 inhabitants. The ridge which runs across the island is called \u201cPramnos\u201d (or \u201cAtheras\u201d) with its peaks reaching 1.050 meters and a coastline somewhat longer than 15.000 km. Its southern side is steeper than the northern side on the heights of which there are several small mountain plateaus, such as \u201cPezi\u201d, \u201cAmmoudia\u201d, \u201cErifi\u201d, \u201cArnopeza\u201d and others. The main occupations of the inhabitants are livestock, agriculture and tourism. However, it\u2019s very likely to hear an Ikarian say: \u201cHappiness isn\u2019t found in material possecions\u201d.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1563308760258{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”2679″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”2673″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1563308780930{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1563743721163{padding-top: 10% !important;padding-right: 10% !important;padding-bottom: 10% !important;padding-left: 10% !important;}”]USEFUL LINKS For any more info you might need about Ikaria (weather, access, boat and bus schedules, village festivals), you can visit the following links.<\/p>\n
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