Best Places to Stay in Ikaria: Hotels & Where to Base Yourself
The best places to stay in Ikaria depend as much on location as on the accommodation itself. The island’s beaches, mountain villages and ports are spread across a landscape where winding roads make travelling slower than distances on a map suggest.
Armenistis is a good starting point for visitors wanting beaches and restaurants on the northwestern coast. Evdilos offers a harbour setting and a practical base for exploring the northern side of the island. Therma suits travellers who prefer a smaller coastal settlement close to Agios Kirykos and the thermal baths.
Rather than choosing a hotel and planning everything around it, visitors should first decide which part of Ikaria they want to spend the most time exploring.
Best Places to Stay in Ikaria at a Glance
| Accommodation | Area | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Erofili Beach Hotel | Armenistis | Sea views and a hotel stay near northern beaches |
| Cavos Bay Hotel & Studios | Armenistis | Coastal accommodation with a choice of rooms and studios |
| Kerame Studios & Apartments | Kerame, near Evdilos | Self-catering and additional living space |
| Atheras Hotel | Evdilos | A base in the harbour settlement |
| Anthemis Hotel | Therma | Staying near Therma Beach and the thermal baths |
Facilities vary between room categories. Confirm the exact accommodation type, seasonal opening dates and arrival arrangements before booking.
Which Part of Ikaria Should You Choose?
Armenistis: For Beaches and a Coastal Holiday
Armenistis is a strong choice for a first visit centred on the northwestern coast. The village has accommodation and restaurants, with Livadi and Messakti beaches nearby.
Staying here allows visitors to combine beach days with trips towards Gialiskari, Nas and the Raches area. It also reduces the need to drive elsewhere for every evening meal.
However, Armenistis is on a different part of the island from the airport and Agios Kirykos. Transfers should be planned before arrival.
Evdilos: For a Harbour Base
Evdilos suits visitors who enjoy staying around a working coastal settlement rather than choosing accommodation primarily for its beach setting.
Its port can be convenient when the booked ferry calls there. Visitors should check their actual arrival port, since a ticket to Ikaria does not automatically mean an arrival in Evdilos.
It is also worth distinguishing accommodation in Evdilos itself from properties in nearby Kerame.
Therma: For the Thermal Baths and Southeastern Coast
Therma is a small coastal settlement near Agios Kirykos. It suits visitors who want to spend time around the thermal baths, beach and local restaurants.
It is a more convenient base for this side of Ikaria than Armenistis, although exploring the northwestern beaches still requires a substantial journey.
Travellers should choose Therma because its location matches their plans rather than expecting it to provide quick access to every part of the island.
1. Erofili Beach Hotel, Armenistis
Erofili Beach Hotel is in Armenistis, overlooking the sea and close to the coastal area around Livadi and Messakti.
The hotel offers several room categories with different outlooks, including sea-view and limited-sea-view options. Guests who consider the view an essential part of their stay should book the relevant category rather than assume every room has the same panorama.
An outdoor seawater pool provides an alternative to a beach outing. The property also describes a path from the pool area to the sea, although guests should check the access arrangements if steps or uneven surfaces would be difficult.
Erofili suits couples and travellers wanting a hotel base for exploring the northwestern coast while keeping restaurants and village facilities within the surrounding Armenistis area.
Best for: A coastal hotel stay with sea-view room options.
Before booking: Confirm the room’s outlook, access requirements and which facilities operate during the intended dates.
2. Cavos Bay Hotel & Studios, Armenistis
Cavos Bay occupies a headland setting in Armenistis. Its position makes it another option for travellers planning to concentrate on the northwestern coast.
The accommodation includes hotel rooms and studios. Studios have kitchenettes, making them worth considering for guests who want to prepare breakfast or occasional light meals.
The distinction matters: visitors should select a studio specifically if cooking facilities are required, rather than assume they are included in a standard room.
The property’s two seawater pools offer an alternative place to spend time between outings. Rooms and studios have differing sea or garden outlooks, so the booked category should match the guest’s priorities.
Best for: Visitors wanting the option of a kitchenette alongside hotel facilities.
Before booking: Check the room type, view and route between the accommodation, reception and pool areas.
3. Kerame Studios & Apartments, Near Evdilos
Kerame Studios & Apartments is in the Kerame area, approximately one kilometre from Evdilos.
Its studios and apartments make it a useful option for travellers seeking self-catering accommodation. A kitchen can provide flexibility for families, longer stays and visitors who prefer not to eat every meal in a restaurant.
Accommodation categories differ, so guests should confirm the number of separate rooms, bed arrangements and cooking facilities. An apartment suitable for a couple may not provide the layout a family expects.
The location also needs to be understood clearly. Kerame is near Evdilos rather than directly in the harbour centre. Visitors should assess the actual route into town before deciding whether they will regularly walk or drive.
Best for: Self-catering and stays requiring more space.
Before booking: Confirm the apartment layout, kitchen equipment and transport arrangements to Evdilos.
4. Atheras Hotel, Evdilos
Atheras Hotel is in Evdilos and suits visitors who want to stay in the settlement itself.
Its main appeal is the location for travellers planning meals and outings around the harbour area. It can also be a practical choice when arriving or departing on a ferry that uses Evdilos.
However, ferry convenience should be checked against the actual sailing and arrival time. Guests arriving late should arrange check-in directly rather than assume reception will accommodate any schedule without notice.
Atheras is worth considering for travellers who prefer a hotel room in a coastal town to a self-catering property outside the centre.
Best for: A hotel base in Evdilos.
Before booking: Check room facilities, parking arrangements if driving, and late-arrival procedures.
5. Anthemis Hotel, Therma
Anthemis Hotel is in Therma, close to the beach, thermal springs and local dining options.
It offers an alternative to the northern coastal bases for visitors whose plans focus on Therma and Agios Kirykos. The hotel lists several room categories, including single, double and triple rooms.
Its location is particularly relevant for guests who want to spend several days in Therma rather than visit briefly from elsewhere. Staying locally allows time to explore the settlement without repeatedly crossing the island.
Visitors should still check the precise route between the hotel and the facilities they intend to use, especially if walking distances or changes in level are important considerations.
Best for: A stay focused on Therma and the southeastern coast.
Before booking: Confirm room access, breakfast arrangements and seasonal opening dates.
Do You Need a Car in Ikaria?
A car is useful for visitors wanting to explore several parts of the island. Beaches, villages and accommodation are dispersed, and a programme involving different coastlines requires careful transport planning.
Travellers who prefer not to drive should choose a base where restaurants and everyday essentials are reachable on foot. They should then arrange transfers and selected excursions around that location.
Before booking accommodation, establish:
- Which port or airport the arrival uses
- How the transfer will be arranged
- Whether parking is available
- Whether the final approach involves narrow roads or steps
- How evening meals will work without a vehicle
A hotel’s proximity to one port does not make it convenient for every ferry or flight arrival.
Should You Split Your Stay?
For a longer visit, dividing time between the northwestern and southeastern sides can reduce repeated driving.
For example, a stay around Armenistis can focus on nearby beaches and villages, followed by time in Therma for that part of the coast.
For a short visit, changing accommodation may create more work than it saves. Choosing one base and limiting the geographical scope of the itinerary can be more relaxing.
What to Check Before Booking
Room descriptions deserve close attention, particularly where a property offers several accommodation types.
Confirm whether the quoted price includes breakfast, whether a kitchenette is provided, and whether a balcony or sea view belongs to the selected category.
Guests with access requirements should ask specific questions about steps, gradients and bathroom arrangements. Photographs of a terrace or pool do not establish an accessible route to it.
Check cancellation terms alongside transport plans, and contact the property before arranging an off-season stay.