THE EGG
A BLUE ZONE DESTINATION
Life is what
happens to you
while you`re busy
making other
plans!
Allen Saunders
BLUE ZONE
IKARIA
Live long, happy and healthy in Ikaria.
Nine keys to longevity and health.
About nature, communities and the purpose in life.
Blue Zone is a concept used to identify a demographic and/or geographic area of the world where people live measurably longer lives. Described in Dan Buettner’s book, “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from people who lived the longest.”
Buettner identifies longevity hotspots in Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and among the Seventh Day Adventists in Loma Linda, California, and offers an explanation, based on empirical data and first hand observations, as to why these populations live healthier and longer lives.
The obvious question follows: What unique factors give rise to Ikaria’s fountain of youth? Is there something special in the wine, or a particular quality of its famous thermal springs? Or is the answer something more complex, having to do with social and lifestyle factors? Whatever the underlying reasons, they have resulted in the island’s recent status as one of the world’s Blue Zones.
According to bestselling author Dan Buettner in his book Blue Zones, Ikaria is a location where people live long and healthy lives because they engage in natural movement, have the right outlook on life, eat properly, and have a solid sense of community and belonging.
It’s certainly true that Ikarians are proud of the balance in their lives: nature, freedom, time and development are all put into perspective. Despite the allure of profits associated with mass tourism, the people of Ikaria have long resisted development. Fiercely maintaining local traditions, their way of life is fulfilling and apparently rewards them with outstanding health benefits.
Buettner says that there are nine keys to
longevity and health:
-
Natural movement
-
Having a purpose in life
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Not working too hard, slowing down
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Not eating too much
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Eating lots of vegetables, but not too much meat
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Having the occasional glass of good red wine
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Belonging to a community or having a good social network
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Sharing personal beliefs or spirituality
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Making family a priority
IKARIA
HISTORY OF
THE ISLAND
The island where people forget to die.
The island is called Nikaria by its inhabitants. Icaria, also spelled Ikaria, is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. It derived its name from Icarus, the son of Daedalus in Greek mythology, who fell into the sea nearby.
The island’s natural resources attracted settlers as early as 7.000 B.C. It is known that in the 8th century BC Ikaria was inhabited by people from the city of Miletus in Asia Minor. In the 5th century BC it already boasted three major cities, Inoe, Thermae and Drakanos, which were part of the Delian League. After a shot domination by Samos, it fell under Roman rule in the 2nd century BC. The Romans were succeeded by the Byzantines who used it as a place for exile. After three centuries of Western European rule, it was invaded by the Ottoman Turks in 1521 AD.
During the Ottoman period the Ikarians were living in rather primitive conditions, isolated from the commerce and life in the eastern Aegean Sea.
In the early 1900s and as the Ottoman Empire were losing its power, the proud and harsh people of Ikaria disarmed the minor Turkish garrison and declared their independence. Along with their neighboring island of Fourni, they went on founding the Free State of Ikaria in 1912, which survived for just four months before it was united with the Greek state in November of 1912. The island suffered a lot during the Second World War and the Greek Civil War that followed. The right-wing Greek state send over thirteen thousand communists into exile to Ikaria from 1945 till 1949. The island’s fate changed in the 1970s when the government and locals invested in tourism and agriculture.
Modern Era
Today, Ikaria is considered one of the world’s five “Blue Zones” – places where the population regularly lives to an advanced age. This is due to healthy diets and lifestyles. In 2002 Greek authorities captured Ikarian-born, Christodoulos Xiros, a member of Revolutionary Organization 17 November. A 58-year-old professor and economist, Alexandros Giotopoulos, was identified as the group’s leader and was arrested on the nearby island of Lipsi.
THE EGG
TOP BEACHES
IKARIA
Magical place, great courses, amazing teachers and beautiful people!
Zahida
2,5km – One of the best beaches right next door to THE EGG. Attractions: Surfing, SUP, Kayak, Volleyball, Cantinas, Umbrellas & Sunbeds.
3,5km – The party beach of the island with crystal clear water. Attractions: Volleyball, Cantina with WiFi, Umbrellas & Sunbeds, Camping.
8km – Relax, be naked and enjoy majestic sunsets at Nas. Attractions: Nudist beach, wild camping, temple of Artemis, waterfall.
5km – Very close to Kampos village. Sandy, long & solitary beach. Attractions: Cantinas, Umbrellas & Sunbeds.
22km – The islands most caribbean beach with turquoise water. Attractions: Swim to cave, snorkelling, must go.
40km – One of the island´s least known beaches. Attractions: Snorkelling, Cave of Dionysos, beautiful rock formations.
40km – Neverending and quiet beach with excellent Restaurants. Attractions: Bars/Cafes, Kayak, Windsurfing.
35km – Very secluded but beautiful beach 1km east of Agios Kirykos. Attractions: Diving/jumping from cliffs, swim to private cave.
40km – Isolated, sandy beach. Reachable within a 20 minutes footpath. Attractions: Church of St. George, passing Drakano Tower, Snorkelling.
DATES
PANIGYRIA FESTIVALS
IKARIA 2027
Panigyria in 2027 Ikaria calendar
JANUARY | Ιανουάριος:
06.01.2027| Katafygi; Feast of the Theophany
07.01.2027 | Proespera; Hl. Johannes
25.01.2027 | Glaredo; St. Gregory
30.01.2027 | Xylosyrtis
February | Φεβρουάριος:
10.02.2027 | Kalamos; St. Charalambos
23.02.2027 | Agios Polikarpos; St. Polycarp
March | Μάρτιος:
25.03.2027 | Mavrianou; annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
April | Απρίλιος:
30.04.207 | Agios Polykarpos, Christos; Good Friday
May | Μάιος:
03.05.2027 | Amalou, Tsouredo, Negia; Easter Monday
01.05.2027 | Mavrianou; Labour/May Day
05.05.2027 | Kampos; St. Irene
09.05.2027 | Therma; Fish-Panigyri
14.05.2027 | Pezi, Armenistis; St.Isidor
21.05.2027 | Avlaki, Mavrato; St. Konstantin & Helena
21.05.2027 | Fytema; Ascension of Jesus
June | Ιούνιος:
08.06.2027 | Armenistis
Not fixed | Kastanies; Holy Spirit
Not fixed | Droutsoulas, Trapalou; All Saints
23.06.2027| Negia/Kionio; Holy Trinity
24.06.2027| Christos Rahes; Hl. Johannes/St. John
29.06.2027 | Aghii Apostoli/Pezi; St. Peter & Paul
30.06.2027 | Trapalou; 12 Apostel
July | Ιούλιος:
01.07.2027| Karavostamos, Therma; Agioi Anargyroi
07.07.2027| Fles in Evdilos; St. Kyriaki
08.07.2027| Proispera
12.07.2027| Agios Dimitrios
14.07.2027| Agios Apostoli in Pezi
15.07.2027 | Ekso Plagia; St. Cyriakus & Julitta
16.07.2027 | Katafygi; St. Marina
17.07.2027 | Agios Kirykos, Arethousa; Aghia Marina + Anniversary of Ikarian Revolution
20.07.2027 | Milopo, Kossikia, Pigi, Glaredo, Profitis Ilias, Karidies, Vrakades
26.07.2027 | Agios Paraskevi (Faros), Xsilosirti, Petropouli, Karavostamo, Karkinagri
27.07.2027 | Avlaki, Agios Polykarpos, Agios Pandeleimonas/Agios Kirykos, Feidos/Evdilos, Myrsonas/Rahes; St. Pandeleimon)
August | Αύγουστος:
03.08.2027 | Agios Dimitrios
04.08.2027 | Dafni
06.08.2027 | Christos (Rahes), Kalamos, Frandato, Dafni, Stavlos; Transfiguration
08.08.2027 | Mandria, Kossoikia
Not fixed | Proespera; St. John
09.08.2027 | Negia; Prophitis Zacharias
10.08.2027| Steli/Platani, Amalou, Faros
11.08.2027 | Avlaki fish Panigyri; St. Fanourios
13.08.2027 | Magganitis; St. Paraskevi+St.Fanourios
13.08.2027 | Fles/Evdilos; Wine Festival
15.08.2027 | Monokampi, Gialiskari, Kouniadoi, Langada, Akamatra, Karavostamo, Kamba/Xylosyrtis, Panagia/Agios Kirykos, Perdiki, Kossoikia, Chrysostomos; Dormition of the Virgin
18.08.2027 | Evdilos
20.08.2027 | Vrakades
23.08.2027 | Kastanies
27.08.2027 | Agios Pandeleimonas/Ag. Polykarpos, Maratho; St. Fanourios
September | Σεπτέμβριος:
08.09.2027 | Kerame, Plagia; Navity of Virgin Mary
17.09.2027 | Kampos, Monokampi; St. Sophia
20.09.2027 | Arethousa; St Eustace
Oktober | Οκτώβριος:
20.10.2027 | Perdiki, Oxe; St Matrona
26.10.2027 | Agios Dimitrios (Rahes), Katafygi; St. Dimitrios
November | Νοέμβριος:
08.11.2027 | Ploumari; Hl. Archangels
Dates and villages of Panigyria in Ikaria 2027
If you’re planning a trip to Ikaria check this list that details the Panigiria dates and the locations (“choria”- villages) they are held. People come to Ikaria from far and wide to take part in the celebrations and the most popular Ikarian Panigyria can be attended by over 1.000 people.
Don’t miss the unique opportunity to revel with the Ikarians amidst village surroundings, traditional food, live music, non-stop dancing, and plenty of delicious Ikarian wine.
Panigyria typically start in the early afternoon or in the evening and go on until the next morning! The most authentic Greek experience a foreigner could have!
Not life,
but good life
is to be chievly
valued.
Socrates
THE EGG
TOP SIGHTS
IKARIA
At Nas are the ruins of the Temple of Artemis that is believed to have been dedicated to the worshipping of Artemis Tavropolis.
Ikaria's ancient history is wonderfully showcased in the new Archaeological Museum in Agios Kyrikos and the Archaeological Collection in Kampos. Visit at least one, and try to get to both, to better understand Ikaria's veneration of Dionysus and the grape vine, its early trade routes that extended to Asian Minor and beyond, and rituals, settlements and styles that cultivated Ikaria's special flair.
Also at Kampos the Byzantine Odeon is located. It was part of the antique city of Oenoe and it was the place were people met for theater and musicals.
Above Koikia the Castle of Koskina is situated. It dates back to the 10th century when it protected the island against conquering invasions.
At Therma you will find the centre for thermal healing springs (hydrotherapy). Take a radiogeneric hot mineral bath and relax a day in the village.
The Forest Randi (or 'Gaia') is located in the central Ikaria, on the west side of the Sierra Atheras. It includes an area of about 16km², in an altitude up to 900m high, with steep geomorphology and constitutes 23% of the total forest area of Ikaria. It is a mature forest, whose age is estimated over 200 years and many of the older trees are more than 300 years old. It is one of the few remaining forests in the Eastern Mediterranean of this size and age.
Close to Faros, one of the best preserved military watchtowers – The Drakano Fortress – of the Hellenistic period, is located.
Moni Theoktistis is located close to Pigi village and has an interesting rock roof. The inside chapel houses skulls of monks.
Christos Raches is one of the islands most beautiful village, with many bars and restaurants. Nightlife starts not before 11pm!
THE EGG
TOP RESTAURANTS
IKARIA
At Agios Dimitrios 10km: CUISINES Mediterranean, Greek SPECIAL DIETS Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
At Nas 8km: Tourist and locals alike come here for both lunch and dinner. Traditional Ikarian cuisine and vegetarian dishes.
At Armenistis 3,5km: From the grilled Mediterranean Sea bass to the creamed eggplant everything is top notch! Highly recommended.
At Akamatra 12km: Mix of classical Greek and Mediterranean ingredients. Perfect plates out of traditional and modern Greek cuisine. Choose among a vaste amount of plates on the catalog, most delicious.
At Christos Rahes 10km: Maériko has very nice food and a great atmosphere. Very good price/quality.
At Fytema 5km: Big authentic portions. Taste´s like „Mum´s“ food. Good local wine served from friendly crew. Awesome sunset place.
At Armenistis 3,5km: Grand Mam´s Recipes is a family run sweets shop with extraordinary choice of home made desserts. Opened till late night. Must go.
At Armenistis 3,5km: Fresh kalamari and grilled meat and fish. Enjoy great dishes next to the beach.
At Nas 8km: Where tradition ... meets taste. Tasty delights, overlooking the Aegean. Here you can enjoy fresh seafood, stews and pies, and fresh produce from the family’s estate.