The name of Ikaria island comes from the son of Dedalos (and King Minos's slave ) , Nafkratis-Ikaros. According to mythology, king Minos, the ancient king of Crete hired Dedalos, to build a structure with great complexity, the Labyrinth, which was the place to keep imprisoned the Minotaur (a half bull and half human creature). Dedalos, the builder of the Labyrinth, he was also the only one to know how to escape from it. When Thiseas escaped from the Labyrinth, king Minos poisoned Dedalos and his son as the responsible ones of this escape. So Dedalos made two pair of wings, one for him and one for his son Ikaros, to fly in the sky and escape from Crete. So they both wore their wings and flew away from Crete. At their way to freedom, Ikaros enchanted by his flight experience and the peace of sky, started flying higher and higher close to the sun. Dedalos warned Ikaros that he shouldn't fly close to the sun, to avoid melting of the wax which was holding the wings together. Despite his father's warnings, Ikaros enchanted of this great experience flew so high that the sun melted his wings, and he fell into the sea which is now called the Ikarian Sea, and the island next to this spot, Ikaria island.

TOP 3 BEACHES OF IKARIA

IERO BEACH
One of the best beaches of the island, not crowded with easy access. It is located near by Faros at the east side of the airport's runway. A little cove with sapphire waters and sandy bottom. Ideal for the windy days while the cove provides an almost waveless swim location.
Link to Iero beach, Ikaria web page.

NAS BEACH
A beautiful beach with special morphology and historical interest, because it's located on a river's mouth near by the Temple of Tavropolou Artemidos.Nas is very close to Armenistis with a very easy access. When you reach Nas you have to walk down a path with a few steps which may look as a "mountain" on your way back, but the fact that they lead to the beautiful Taverns over the beach, makes it look like a "game".The scenery and the sapphire shaded waters will payback your "effort". A path full of planes along the river's bank, will lead you to a lake which provides a swimming experience for the most daring and a cold shower under "Halaris" fall.
Link to Nas beach, Ikaria web page.

MESAKTI BEACH
Mesakti beach is located on the North side of Ikaria, at Gialiskari. The access is easy through the main road which connects Evdilos with Armenistis. The beach is very close to Armenistis and Raches so it is definitely one of the island's HOT SPOTS and a MUST for the Surfers during the period of the etesian winds.
Link to Mesakti beach, Ikaria web page.

EXTRAS \\\\\

1) Online Ticket Availability

2) Real Time Ship Movements

Submitted by: Ioannis Drimilis All about Ikaria Island.