Getting from Mykonos to Ikaria

Ikaria has a reputation that precedes it and for once the reputation is accurate. It is one of the world's Blue Zones, the places on earth where people live measurably longer than anywhere else, and the locals will tell you it has nothing to do with diet or exercise and everything to do with the way life is organised here. Things start late, end later, nobody is in a hurry and the concept of a fixed schedule is treated with something between amusement and contempt. The island is mountainous and wild, the beaches on the southern coast are excellent and the summer panigiri festivals, outdoor celebrations that go through the night, are some of the most genuine expressions of Greek culture you will find anywhere in the Aegean.

Take the ferry

Mykonos and Ikaria are connected by ferry through the summer season, making this one of the more straightforward routes in the northeastern Aegean. The crossing takes around 2 to 3 hours on a fast ferry. Ikaria has two ports, Agios Kirykos in the south and Evdilos in the north, so check which port your ferry is heading to before you book as it affects where you end up on the island. Book ahead in peak season as these sailings fill up.

What about flying?

Both Mykonos and Ikaria have airports so flying is a viable option on this route. The journey goes Mykonos to Athens and then Athens to Ikaria, with total travel time around 3 to 4 hours door to door depending on your connection. Ikaria Airport sits above Agios Kirykos on the southeastern coast of the island. Flights are limited and operated by Olympic Air so check availability early and book as soon as you have your dates confirmed.

Your best option

Take the ferry. It is direct, it is scenic and it gets you to Ikaria the right way. Once you are there let the island set the pace rather than the other way around. Do not arrive with a packed itinerary. Hire a car, find a base on the southern coast, eat late, stay up later and give the island at least five or six days. Ikaria does not reveal itself quickly and that is entirely the point.