IKARIA, GREECE

 SO, YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER?

ICARUS

There are places in this world that just seem right. On Ikaria, the first island we visited on our Variety Cruises’ “Unexplored Greece” island-hopping adventure, we slipped easily into an easy way of approaching the day.

Perhaps it was because the island was our first stop of our 8-day cruise aboard the Panorama and everything seemed fresh and new? Perhaps it was because we alighted on Ikaria in the “shoulder season” and not at the height of tourist revelry in the months of July and August and the plateia tables of the port town of Agios Kirykos although filled that first night held a certain calmness to them? One would imagine a Saturday night would be livelier, but on Ikaria an easier unrushed approach to life is the norm. Afterall, Ikaria is an island where people forget to die.

AGIOS KIRYKOS

BLUE ZONE

Ikaria is a “Blue Zone”, one of just 6 in the world. This moniker is given to places where people live exceptionally long lives, often exceeding the centenarian mark. The longevity evidently stems from a combination of physical activity, strong social interactions within the community with low stress levels and maintaining a primarily plant-based diet. Whatever the reason the pace of Ikaria is slow, meals take a long time, people linger over conversations and drinks deep into the night. Sunsets are appreciated. 

Why hurry? The island ranks up there as the Bluest of Blue Zones.

To read more about this phenomena: IKARIA AND BLUE ZONES

RADON LOVE

Another reason …maybe… for increased longevity are the number of spas on the island that people soak in for the therapeutic effects of the radioactive waters.

COMMUNAL SPA IKARIA

 

Don't be too alarmed, but Ikaria has the highest concentrations of radon found in Greece and all of Europe and studies have shown that long-time beneficial rehabilitative effects can be achieved from the “therapeutic waters”.

You don’t believe me:

GOOD FOR WHAT AILS YOU

Our excursion on the island was to visit the spa town of Therma where we swam in the communal hot springs, although we were told to limit our time to just 20 minutes. Because there is a gentle ocean flow here the concentration of radon is less than other spas and there will be warm and cold spots.

When our noisy group arrived, there were several locals also enjoying the waters.

It’s rocky and the steps into the pool are steep. Make sure you wear water shoes.  

ICARUS 

MEZZE 

After our dip and with no one claiming hair loss our cruise director from Variety Cruises walked us over to the Icarus café, one of several hedging the beach for drinks and meze. Meze is the snack one often gets served when ordering drinks, like a Greek tapas.

Janet and I had ouzo, having grown fond of this aperitif while in Athens and we shared a craft beer brewed on Ikaria!

Ikariotissa Beer offers a porter, ale, unfiltered ale and a lager. We used the ale to help wash down the last of our meze.

Above the café’s doorway hung a painting of the establishment and the island’s namesake, Icarus.

In Greek mythology Dedalus and his son escaped King Minos and his labyrinth on Crete by fashioning wings of feathers and wax and flying away. Sadly, Icarus in his youthful exuberance few too close to the sun and the wax melted and he plummeted to this island. 

Great story, great beer, great island.

IKARIOTISSA BEER

The sad part of a sailing adventure is there never is enough time to fully explore a place. Our visit could have lasted days. You get a taste or an image before having to move on, never fully understanding where you just left, but it anything is to be taken from Ikaria is to enjoy yourself, and forget to die.

Thanks for reading.

Love Janet and greg

© 2026 by Gregory Dunaj