Car Hire in Ikaria

About Ikaria

Ikaria is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Ikaria forms a separate municipality within the regional unit of Ikaria, which is part of the North Aegean region. The main town of the island and seat of the municipality is Agios Kirykos.

The island has a rich and long history with a very strong mythology. The island got its name after Icarus, the son of Daedalus in Greek mythology, who is said to have fallen into the sea nearby. Ikaria is known as a perfect destination for people looking for a vacation away from crowded beaches, streets full of tourists and hectic traffic. Ikaria is the complete opposite of the islands and resorts in Greece with mass tourism. The island has a fantastic green landscape with lots of mountains, running water, pretty towns and villages, beautiful beaches, interesting historical, cultural and religious sites and very nice and friendly locals. The interesting thing about the locals here is that life expectancy on the island is much higher than in other parts of Greece and beyond. This is probably due to the lifestyle on the island, which is very slow and relaxed. Food (the special diet) is a very important part of life and of course, enjoyment is even more important.

So if you are looking for a place to "recharge your batteries" and take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Ikaria is undoubtedly the place for you. The best way to get around the island is to rent a car and take a little road trip through Ikaria. You will not regret it!

Basic info and car hire on Ikaria

• Location: Aegean Sea, Greece
• Population: 8,423
• Official language: Greek
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Ikaria has a Mediterranean climate.
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads on Ikaria Island are in good condition.
• Car hire on Ikaria: The most common pick-up point for vehicles on Ikaria Island is at Ikaria airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks before your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire on Ikaria Island.

 Driving on Ikaria

Renting a car in Ikaria is the best solution if you want to explore the island properly. Towns, villages and other places of interest that you can visit on the island are spread all over Ikaria, so a car is the most practical solution if you do not want to spend too much time travelling from one place to another. It is good to know that there are some mountain roads on the island where you should be extra careful and reduce your speed, especially if you are not used to driving in these conditions. There are also some dirt roads, especially within the island. So be sure to reduce your speed to avoid damage to your car.

Fines for breaking the laws and regulations are strict and expensive. Running a red light or ignoring a stop sign will cost you 700 euros. Not wearing a seat belt in a car is punishable by 350 euros. Talking on a mobile phone without a hands-free device is punishable by 100 euros. Driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by a fine of between 200 and 1200 euros and a likely driving license suspension of between 10 days and six months, depending on how much the breathalyzer test reveals.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Greece is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old, and some rental companies for people over 75 years old. Young driver surcharges may apply to those under 25 with many rental companies.
• International Driving Permit:  Visitors need a valid driving license to drive a car in Greece legally. Drivers of motorcycles up to 125cc must be at least 18 years old, while drivers of mopeds (up to 50cc) must be at least 16 years old. Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. With an International Driving Permit (IDP), you can legally drive in Greece and 174 other countries and present your valid driver's license. Only two organizations issue IDPs in the US: Automobile Association of America (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), and you can order it online if there is no office near you.
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company if your policy does not cover you when driving in Greece). 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle (mandatory in every vehicle), headlight deflectors (for cars from UK. Depending on the vehicle, you may either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually), fire extinguisher (mandatory in every car), first aid kit (mandatory in every car), warning triangles, spare wheels are required, and hands-free devices with hearing aids if you are talking on the phone while driving. 
• Children in the car:  A suitable child seat must fit or children under three years of age. Local authorities approve child restraint systems that comply with the ECE R44/03 standard. A suitable child seat should also be used for children between 3 and 11 years of age smaller than 1.35 meters. Adult seat belts are already approved for children over 12 years of age and over 1.35 meters tall. If you wish to fit a rear-facing child seat, you may do so because the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights: In poor daytime visibility, use low beam headlights. The use of high beams in cities is strictly prohibited.  
• General speed limits: Unless otherwise stated, the maximum speed on the motorway is 120 km per hour. On rural roads, you may drive 110 km/68 mi per hour. In residential areas, the speed limit is 50 km/31 mi per hour.
• Parking suggestions: Parking is not allowed in Greece: Within 5 meters (m) of intersections, within 15m of railway crossings, within 15m of bus and tram stops, within 3m of a fire hydrant, within 5m of a stop sign, or traffic light. In some streets, signs indicate which side of the road to park on. Parking fees vary from city to city, with meters usually operating between 30 minutes and two hours. In Athens, particular parking areas are reserved for tourists. EU disability cards should be recognized in Greece. However, to be on the safe side, you should apply for a card from the Institute for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People in Athens or from local prefects in other provinces.

What to see on Ikaria

Ikaria is an island that will truly enchant you with all its beauties and friendly people. The villages and towns around the island are picturesque and worth a visit. Each of them is special and offers you something different. Villages that you should visit are Agios Kirykos, Evdilos, Karavostamo, Christos and Karkinagri.

Besides the villages, there are also some beaches that you should not miss during your stay in Ikaria. For example: Seychelles beach, Nas beach, Livadi beach, Messakti beach, Kambos beach, Armenistis beach, Fles beach, Karavostano beach, Kerame beach, Kiparisi beach, Miliopo beach, Prioni beach, Evdilos beach.

The island is also known for its thermal springs, which have been used since ancient times. These springs are considered one of the richest in the world when we speak about radium. Rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia, neuritis, skin, circulatory, endocrine and gynaecological diseases lead people to the springs to find healing.

Drive your rental car beyond Ikaria

There are so many fantastic places to visit in this country that you will simply enjoy a trip through Greece. The roads are mostly in very good condition, so you will have to think carefully about which parts of the country you want to explore.

Greece or many would say the cradle of western civilization, is the southernmost country in the Balkan Peninsula. This perfectly situated country of over 2000 islands, around 170 of which are inhabited, has access to the whole world via the sea and also has a beautiful inland area full of mountains and volcanic soil, a rich culture, many historical and religious sites, delicious food and genuinely nice people - a place that every person should visit at least once in their lifetime. There are so many different things to see and do here that you are sure to find something for yourself.

If you are planning a holiday to Greece, you should make a good plan. A rental car is the best solution if you want to explore the country to see different places, try different foods and meet different people from different parts of Greece. First, you need to decide if you want to explore the islands or if you are more interested in the interior. For both options, there are plenty of activities you can do and plenty of sights you can visit.

Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the cities you should visit if you are planning a road trip through Greece. Athens is something very different from Ikaria, but no less interesting and exciting. Greece is a country that is a mixture of Europe, the Balkans, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa and is the legacy of classical Greece, the Byzantine Empire and almost four centuries of Ottoman rule. All this gives the country a great religious, cultural, architectural and also political background that contributes to the diversity of the country.

The size of the country is equal to that of Great Britain and it is divided into six main regions: Central Greece: the Píndos Mountains, North-Eastern Greece: Makedonía and Thráki, Eastern Greece: Thessalía and Attikí, Southern Greece: the Pelopónnisos, Western Greece: Ípeiros and Akarnanía, The Islands of Greece. Each of these regions has something to offer you. It is best to rent a car and explore region by region. You will need time to explore this country well, so it may be best to explore the regions one by one. The roads in Greece are in good condition, the people are friendly, the country is beautiful, the food is delicious and the sights are breathtaking, so all you have to do is buckle up and drive safely.

Where to eat, drink, and party on Ikaria

The cuisine in Ikaria is based on simplicity, local ingredients and variety. The people of Ikaria are known as "people who forgot to die". People here really enjoy food and know how to prepare it.

Wine is also an important part of the island's gastronomy. People mainly drink red wine. So if you want to know the lifestyle of the locals, you must drink red wine.

Best restaurant on Ikaria

Kritikos

Sta Perx

Mary Mary

Rakostroto

Arodou

Ana`s Taverna