Introduction

Icaria is probably one of the most beautiful Greek islands. It is very mountainous and and at some points quite inaccessible, with lovely, green valleys, wild falcons and some amazing beaches.

Although not a very touristy island, you can get basically everything here: watersports, nightlife, shops and car rentals. The people on the island live off fishing and farming, and many work on boats or are involved in tourism. The Icarian wine has been produced and praised since antiquity.

History

This is where Icaros fell and was buried, according to mythology, after flying too close to the sun when escaping from Crete with his father Daedalus. Both the island and the sea was named after him.

In general, names in Greece beginning with an "I" have a "pre-Greek" past with some Pelasgian tribe as its first inhabitants.

The Ionians came here from Asia Minor in the 9th century BC, and in the 5th century it was part in fighting the Persians during the Persian Wars.|

The Romans conquered most of Greece in the 2nd century BC, and after the collapse of the Roman Empire, the island belonged to the Byzantine empire. Just like in the rest of the Greek archipelago, it was constantly attacked by pirates, and in the 13th century the Venetians took over.

The Turks ruled Chios from the beginning of the 16th century, and by this time, all the islanders had moved to the mountains to protect themselves from the pirates and the Turks.

Chios became of the Greek nation in 1921.

There are watersports on the island, and the snorkeling is also very good. Enjoy the hot bats in Therma and make excursions in the breathtaking nature. Bring a pair of binoculars if you are interested in birds.

Beaches

There are many nice, sandy beaches on the island. You can find quite a few totally isolate ones, but there are also more accessible beaches like Armenistis, Kambos and Evdilos.

Nightlife

Icaria is no party island, but you can find a few nice places in Agios Kirikos and Armenisti. August can get very busy, and the nightlife really livens up: there is even a disco in Armenisti!

Food

Most taverns are in Agios Kirikos and Armenisti, and if you get tired of traditional Greek food there are also a few Italian places. Try the local wine - it has been produced since ancient years and is very good.

There are several flights a week between Athens and Icaria, but the island is also connected through ferryboats or hydrofoils to Samos, Patmos, Kos, Kalymnos and Naxos, as well as Pireus on the mainland.