Ikaria is a mountainous and thickly forested island. The south coast
is barren with steep cliffs, while the north is somewhat more gentle. The
scenery is wild and rugged with the Atheras mountain range, named Pramios in
ancient times, running the length of the island with lush ravines, gorges and
gullies descending all the way to the coast.
Agios Kirikos is the main town and port of the island built on a hillside,
the balconies of the houses are almost invisible under their flowers. The small
archaeological museum containing Neolithic, Geometric and Roman finds is of
considerable interest.
The island owes its name to the myth of Ikarus after his fall into the sea
near its shores following his bold attempt to reach the sun with his waxen
wings.