Long at the crossroads of power in the Aegean, Ikaria has a historic legacy that ranges from ancient Greeks to the Ottomans. Following 20th-century wars and hardships, the island today is deeply rooted in community and celebration, an ethos said to support the legendary longevity of Ikarians, along with a diet of local fruit, vegetables, honey, olive oil and free-flowing red wine. Most of the population lives on the coast while a handful of villages remain in the rugged, mountains interior. Agios Kirykos, the capital and main port, is small but lively, with a main square lined with tavernas, shops and cafes, a blue-domed church and archaeological museum. Minutes away are beaches and hot springs in use since antiquity. On the north coast, the village of Christos Raches is Ikaria’s hub for nightlife, fueled by locals’ late hours and unabashed love of festivities.
