Ikaria is a big island for the Aegean — about 255 square kilometers, mostly mountainous — and it doesn’t behave like a single destination. Where you choose to stay changes what your trip actually looks like: how far you drive each day, what’s within walking distance, and how easily you reach the port or airport. This guide breaks down the island’s main bases, so you can match your stay to the trip you actually want.
Agios Kirykos: the capital, and the easiest base for a first visit
Agios Kirykos is Ikaria’s capital and one of its two ports, in the southeast of the island. It’s the most practical place to stay if this is your first time on Ikaria: shops, cafés, the health center, the town’s thermal springs, and the ferry dock are all within a short walk of each other, and the airport is about 15 minutes away by car. It’s a working town rather than a resort, with a real everyday rhythm — good if you want a base with services nearby and easy access to the rest of the island, day trips included to the nearby island of Fourni.
Armenistis and the north coast: beaches and evenings out
On the north coast, Armenistis is Ikaria’s closest thing to a beach resort village, with some of the island’s best-known beaches — Livadi and Mesakti — a short walk away. It has a livelier evening scene in July and August, more tourist infrastructure, and a younger crowd. It’s a good match if beach time and nightlife matter more to you than being near the capital, though it sits roughly an hour from Agios Kirykos over mountain roads.
Evdilos: the quieter second port
Evdilos is Ikaria’s second port, on the north coast between Agios Kirykos and Armenistis. It’s smaller and calmer than either, with a pretty harbor and easy access to nearby villages like Kambos. It suits travelers who want a quieter home base but still like being near a working port with ferry connections, without the more built-up feel of Armenistis in peak season.
Therma: thermal springs and slow mornings
Therma, right next to Agios Kirykos, is built around Ikaria’s radioactive thermal springs — a niche but genuine draw, especially outside the busiest summer weeks. It has a slower, more residential feel than the capital itself, while still being close enough to walk into town. A good pick if the springs are part of why you’re visiting, or if you want a calmer stay without giving up proximity to Agios Kirykos.
What actually matters when you’re choosing
- Which port or the airport you’re arriving at — staying close to it saves a long first-day transfer on Ikaria’s winding roads.
- Whether you want a car for the whole stay. Without one, staying within walking distance of a village center matters far more here than on flatter islands.
- How much you want to move around. Ikaria rewards slow travel — piling multiple bases into a short trip usually means more driving than relaxing.
- Booking direct with the hotel, rather than through a third-party platform, usually gets you the best available rate and someone who can actually answer questions about the island before you arrive.
Why many visitors base themselves in Agios Kirykos
We’re obviously not a neutral source on this one, so take it as one data point rather than the final word: at Kastro Hotel, built into the hillside above Agios Kirykos since 1993, most of our guests choose the capital because it works as a base regardless of what the rest of their trip looks like — close to the port and airport, walking distance to the town center, and central enough to reach the north coast, Therma, or Fourni without losing a day to driving. It won’t suit everyone; if beach-front nightlife is the priority, Armenistis is the more honest answer. But for a first trip to Ikaria, or for anyone who wants one steady base with sea views and easy logistics, Agios Kirykos is hard to beat.