HISTORY: Known by many names in antiquity, the island was called Ikaria because according to myth it was here that Icarus fell into the sea and was buried. Some legends maintain that the god Dionysos was born here. Colonized by the lonians in the 8th century BC, it later fell to the Persians. After the 4th century BC little mention is made of Ikaria in historical documents. It was ceded to Venice by the Byzantines, occupied by the Turks in 1567 and united with Greece in 1912.

SIGHTSEEING: Ikaria is best known for its radioactive hot springs. A small archaeological collection is housed in the high school in the capital; the finds come from ruins near Fanari, Kampos (ancient Oinoe), Armenisti (4th and 8th c. BC tombs, temple of Artemis). One may also visit lovely Byzantine churches, monasteries and the 70th century fortress of Nikaria. A very mountainous island, it is dotted with rustic villages (Stell, Dafni) and rimmed with superb beaches (Agios Kirykos, Evdilos, Mesakti and many others).

Though Ikaria is off the beaten track as yet, visitors will find the facilities and roads more than adequate.