Ikaria Ικαρία Overview

Ikaria is named after the reckless young Icarus, who plunged to a watery demise after flying too close to the sun (a rock marks the spot of his legendary fall). Ikaria’s modern history matches the rebellious attitude of its namesake: the island is a bastion of the Greek Communist Party (KKE), and hammer-and-sickle posters make a jarring addition to the peaceful landscape. During the Civil Wars following WWII, 15,000 Communists were exiled to this island populated by 7,000 villagers, and Ikaria soon became known as “Red Rock.” Today, it’s safe to assume that most older people on the island participated in the Civil War in some way, giving Ikaria a sense of historical vibrancy. Before the turbulent 20th century, Ikaria was known as one of the most pirate-proof islands in the Northeast Aegean, so locals pride themselves on being more closely related to the Ancient Greeks than other, more heavily raided spots. The coastline is speckled by serene, untouristed beaches, some with natural hot springs, framed by an enormous chain of green alpine mountains. With an agricultural economy and no major tourist industry, the island remains one of the poorest in the region, so transportation around the island is difficult. Visitors patient with the island’s often inexplicable schedule, though, are rewarded with an unspoiled slice of Greece.