• Greek Guy Travels
  • Greek Guy Travels

Ikaria

A 21-day adventure by Greek Guy Travels Read more
  • Trip start
    July 14, 2017

    Ksilosirti (Xylosirti) village in Ikaria

    July 14, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    I'm staying at my family's village on the island of Ikaria. Ksilosirti is a village about 3km from the island capital and port, Aghios Kirikos. In the 1800s the area was full of cypress trees, which were mostly cut down to be used as masts for sailboats. The area has some traditional stone houses as well as more modern buildings. It has 3 restaurants (one of which is open during the winter months), a blue domed church and a beautiful stone beach with crystal clear water. Within the village there is freshwater spring, Athanatou Nerou, that is rumored to have healing properties.Read more

  • Icarus rock

    July 15, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    This unique rock formation off the coast of the south side of Ikaria is named Ikaris by the locals, after the myth of Dedalos and Icarus. The rock is supposedly the location of Icarus' fall to earth. Some say that he landed on the rock, others that he turned into the rock. The marble shelf that meets the water has an interesting organic erosion pattern.Read more

  • YiaYia beach

    July 15, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    This stunning beach has several interesting rock formations and has a clear view of the Ikaris rock. There is a cave, interesting marble organic patterns under the water, and several large flat rocks dispersed along the coast. The water is crystal clear, and the bay protects the coast from too many waves.Read more

  • Ksilosirti beach

    July 16, 2017 in Greece ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    The village of Ksilosirti village has a beach. It is a rocky beach with beautiful smooth stones called "lalathia", named after the melodic sound they make when the waves rock them back and forth.

  • Lefkatha, natural hot springs

    July 17, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Between Ksilosirti village and the capital, Aghios Kirikos, is a natural hot spring that spews hot fresh water into the sea coast. The area is difficult to reach, as there are large boulders in the path from the road. The rocks on the coast where the water is released are dangerously slick, and two of my traveling companions cut themselves on the barnacles that grow on the warmed rocks. The water steams at the exit sites, and will burn you if you touch them directly. However, once you get in the saltwater, the cold sea eater mixed with the hot spring water creates an interesting bathing experience. The water is said to be irradiated and is considered to have healing properties.Read more

  • Seychelles beach

    July 17, 2017, Aegean Sea ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Today I visited the geologically unique Seychelles beach near the village of Mangannitis. The beach is covered with beautiful smooth marble stones and the water has a brilliant turquoise hue. The beach was created decades ago when the marble debris from a road tunnel excavation washed onto the shore. Over time, the devris was polished, making the smooth stones. Getting to the beach can be tricky, as you have climb over a rocky ravine to reach it. The beach can also be accessed by small boat, weather permitting.Read more

  • Faros town/beach

    July 18, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Today I went to the seaside town of Faros (lighthouse) that is located at the eastern-most point of the island. There is a beach with a windsurfing school, a few restaurants and two coffee shops.

  • Tamarix/salt cedar/Αλμυρίκι

    July 18, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    The salt cedar tree is a deciduous tree that is native to the Mediterranean. It is associated with the god Apollo. It seems to be found all over the coastal regions of Greece, especially near beach areas. The plant is planted by locals near seaside restaurants and beaches because it acts like a natural umbrella on sunny beaches and because it is one of a few plants that thrives near salt water. Anyone that has been to Greece in the summer months can tell you that a shade is needed to withstand more than a few minutes in the strong Mediterranean light.Read more

  • Therma Village

    July 19, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Today I visited the village of Therma. It is know for its natural hot irradiated springs. Many of the hotels here have natural water treatments inside their walls. The town has a small port and beach, and several restaurants and coffee shops.Read more

  • Therapeutic Mineral Bath and Hammam

    July 19, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Today I went to an irradiated hot spring (To Spileo) in the town of Therma. I went to to have a soak in the naturally hot mineral bath, and I also sat in the Hammam, or natural steam room. The heated stone and water is heated directly from the earth and is irradiated.Read more

  • Kontou tou lacoma beach

    July 20, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    This beautiful serene beach is located between Faros town and Aghios Giorgis. It is a bit tricky to get to, but it's worth the effort. The beach cannot be reached easily with car, and you must wear shoes to walk down to the water. There are amazing multi colored rocks in the crystal clear water, and there are also smooth white marble stonesRead more

  • Mesakti Beach/Armenisti

    July 21, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Located on the northern part of the island, Mesakti beach is a traditionally sand beach with a life guard, beach bars, and coffee shops. The beach has a surfing school and is very popular with the younger crowd and with tourists. The beach had a fresh water lake behind it, separated only by a bank of sand. The waves on the northern side are much more impressive than on the south side, and the waves produce a strong undertow that can be very dangerous.Read more

  • Drakano tower

    July 22, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Today I visited the tower of Drakano on the Eastern tip of Icaria. It is located a short drive from the airport and from Faros town. Drakano is one of the best preserved Athenian watch towers from the Hellenistic period, about the 4th century BC. It was used to patrol the waters between Ikaria and Samos. It stands about 44 ft high and is made of limestone.Read more

  • Aghios Giorgis chapel

    July 22, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Walking distance from Drakano tower is a picturesque chapel of Aghios (saint) Giorgis. It is only accessible by foot from the dirt road used to access Drakano. The walk is best done with a good pair of shoes and may not be suitable for young children, as it is a steep drop down to the water.Read more

  • Artist Nikos (Ikaris) Aivaliotis

    July 23, 2017 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Today I explored my great uncle's artwork that can be found around Ikaria (and other areas around the globe). He was a modernist sculptor that was very prolific during the 70s and 80s. The sculpture of Icarus falling to the earth has become a modern symbol for the island.Read more

  • Aghios Kirikos, Ikaria

    July 24, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Aghios Kirikos is the capital of Ikaria and is located on the South side of the island. This is one of two port town on the island, the other being Evdilos on the northern part of the island. The town has approximately 2100 inhabitants, which was founded around the 1600s AD.Read more

  • Skourdougiari Beach in Xrisostomo

    July 25, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Today I went to skourdougiari beach. It is frequented mostly by locals that live in Xrisostomo village. The beach is a rock and pebble beach that has crystal clear waters. There is a cantina near the parking area and there is a small boat marina on the end of the beach. The marina is small and is only able to house small row boats and fishing boats.Read more

  • Aghios Giorgios beach

    July 26, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Today I visited a beautiful and secluded beach at the Eastern end of Ikaria, Aghios Giorgis beach. It is reachable by foot on a dirt path or by boat. Because it it hard to reach, it does not get very crowded, even during the peak tourism season. There are no cantina, or restaurants, so you have to bring everything you need.Read more

  • Kerame beach

    August 3, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Today we went to Karame beach on the south-eastern side of Ikaria. The beach is one of two beaches, one having better road access. I have taken pictures of the less-popular beach, as there were less people there. The beach is unorganized, has beautifully clear water, and multi-colored pebbles. We could not stay long since there was no shade or trees nearby.Read more

    Trip end
    August 3, 2017