Gialiskarion by the Sea: Fishing and Messakti

Gialiskarion is a northern coastal village with intensive fishing activity. Its coastal location and focus on fishing shape the local character of the place.

Coast and Messakti Wetland

The Messakti wetland is nearby: it is the estuary of the Myrsonas River and a natural coastal wetland. It covers 25.5 acres and lies about 0.5 km west of Gialiskari village. This directional and distance information provides a specific reference point for finding your way around the area.

Surfing nearby

The Ikaria Surf School offers surf lesson packages. Check with the school for current availability. Nearby Messakti Beach is suitable for surfing; beach conditions and suitability may vary. This gives you two distinct aspects to consider when planning your trip: local lessons and a beach suitable for surfing.

Ikaria as a wider travel destination

The ports and airport are important reference points for getting around Ikaria: the island has two main ports, one on the north side and one on the south side. The airport is at the eastern end of the island near the village of Faros, about 12 kilometres from the island capital, Agios Kirykos. If you are planning to fly, check the current flight schedule, as schedules can change.

The island’s landscape features are also relevant across Ikaria as a whole. Randi Forest, also known as Gaia, lies in the centre of the island, west of the Atheras Range, and covers about 16 km². Ikaria’s protected areas are part of the Natura 2000 network; the island is also designated an Important Bird Area under the international code GR143-Ikaria Island. A hiking trail runs through the Halari Gorge. You can cycle all over Ikaria, especially by mountain bike.

Festivals, culture and history on Ikaria

The villages of Ikaria hold festivals throughout the year for religious and some non-religious holidays; dates may vary. At Panygiria, there is raskos (boiled goat meat), Ikarian wine and live music. People dance the traditional Ikariotikos to a song from Ikaria. These details describe an island tradition, not the programme of a specific festival in Gialiskarion.

The Archaeological Museum of Ikaria is located in Agios Kirykos, in a neoclassical building that formerly housed the local secondary school and was later designated a protected monument. The museum displays finds relating to the history of Ikaria and its inhabitants, from the Neolithic period, 6800–3800 BC, to Roman times. Other historical points of interest include the ruins of the ancient spa town of Thermae, east of the present-day village of Therma, and the ruins of Oinoe in the present-day area of Kampos, the island’s ancient capital.

Ikaria also offers the opportunity to taste a variety of Ikarian wines and learn about their production at four wineries. Check availability before visiting. Another local speciality is kolokasi (Colocasia esculenta): the plant is rare in Greece and is found only on Ikaria.

Discover more destinations: Fourni, Armenistís, Magganitis, Ikaria, Ágios Kírykos

Go to the main travel overview: Ikaria.