7 Day Sample Itinerary (Even if you just do some of this you’ll have an incredible experience!)
Day 0. Make sure to have the full Ikaria Guidebook either downloaded onto your phone or notebook or have a printed copy on your backpack. The Ikaria Guidebook pretty much explains and reveals a LOT of what is not covered in quick tourist blogs and has many detailed maps.
DAY 1. Arrive by plane, or by ferry at Evdilos port. Pick up your car rental (book in advance). Drive along the northern side of Ikaria Island on the main road to Armenistis. Stay in one of the following hotels we list on the western side of the island. Stop in Kampos on your way to your hotel for a coffee or lunch. Later, go for a swim at Livadi or Mesakti beach. Have dinner in Armenistis. Visit Nas village in the evening for the sunset.
DAY 2. Spend the day exploring Armenistis and surrounding mountain area of Rahes village. Do a walking route (Walk #1, 2 or 3 in the Ikaria Guidebook). Swim at Livadi or Mesakti beach. In the early evening, do a wine tour at Afianes winery. Enjoy dinner in Rahes or near the seaside.
DAY 3. Take a surf or paddle board lesson at the Ikaria Surf School, do a cooking class, or visit the more remote areas of Ikaria at Kavo Papas lighthouse and the famous ‘hidden’ Lagkada village (Walk #10 in the Ikaria Guidebook). Visit Theoktistis Monastery and continue on to Pigi village. If it’s June or July, do a drop-in yoga class at The Egg, or try a wine tasting and dinner at Karimalis vineyard. Check out the ancient Ruins in Kampos.
DAY 4. Change hotels to stay around the middle of the island for an evening or two. Spend an evening in Pigi, or near Arethusa or Karavostamo villages. Do the Arethousa - Karavostamo walk from the Ikaria Guidebook ( Walk #6). Have dinner in Karavostamo or Arethousa.
DAY 5. Travel to the southern side of the island, first stopping in Akamatra village for a beautiful view. Do the Rante Forest walk (walk#4 in the Ikaria Guidebook) and also visit Koskinas Castle. Swim at Seychelles beach and then head to Magganittis for a late lunch. Arrive in Faros in the evening, stopping in Agios Kyrikos along the way. Check into a hotel in Therma or Faros.
DAY 6. Go for an early dip at one of the remote beaches on Ikaria’s eastern side (see walks #7, 8 and 9 in the Ikaria Guidebook). Visit the hot springs at Therma. Do a scuba adventure if you like diving. Have dinner in Agios Kyrikos or in Faros. When it’s dark in the evening, if you like star gazing, head towards Drakano Tower and observe the countless stars in the sky.
DAY 7. Soak up more of what you've come to love about Ikaria. Do a snorkeling tour, if you have time. Visit the Ikaria archaeological or folk museum in Agios Kykiros. Drop off your car rental and fly back to Athens from Ikaria’s airport or ferry back from the port in Agios Kyrikos. Or, island hop and head on to Fourni or another Greek island! On the way home, start planning the next time you will come back to Ikaria!
For more on what to explore and see, read all the extensive insider information in the Ikaria Guidebook!