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Armenistis in Ikaria

Armenistis, the crown jewel of Ikraia, is a picturesque little coastal village with around 130 inhabitants. The number goes up considerably during the summer, because Armenistis is Ikaria's main "tourist resort". For safety's sake I write "tourist resort" within quotation marks, because it is not a tourist resort in the common sense of word. We are on Ikaria, after all.

Armenistis and Livadi beach seen from Valeta studios on the island of Ikaria in Greece.

Armenistis seen from Valeta studios. Livadi beach on the left.

Undoubtedly, it is here where most of the foreign tourists stay, and certainly there is both souvenir shops, travel agencies and strategically located tavernas, but still I do not see Armenistis as a tourist resort. It is too unruly Greek to make me feel like a tourist. Well, it's hard to explain what it is, I can only hope that you will understand what I mean when you come here.

The beaches of Livadi, Messakti and the village of Gialiskari beach seen from Armenistis on Ikaria.

Livadi beach seen from Armenistis.

There are three reasons why Armenistis is the most popular village on Ikaria: the beaches of Livadi and Messakti, as well as the popular hiking trail "Round of Raches On Foot". If it had not been for these circumstances, Armenistis would have been stuck to its last: a small fishing village by the sea.

The tiny beach and 'Harbour Street' in Armenistis.

Where Livadia beach ends, Armenistis begins. Here are a few pensions with great views, a bakery and a bus stop. The bakery is also a café. At the bakery's outdoor terrace, both villagers and tourists enjoy themselves with coffee and views. Shortly after the bakery is a bridge across a ravine. In the spring, if it has rained a lot, there is water flowing in the ravine. Then it is not unusual to see turtles and water snakes along the ravine.

Tavernas and restaurants on Harbor Street in Armenistis.

Tavernas on Harbor Street in Armenistis.

Where the bridge ends the road forks. The road straight ahead goes through the village and then continues to Nas, which is the next village. If you go to the right at the intersection you get to "harbour street", on the way down towards the water you pass travel agencies, a dried up boat where you can buy books, the tavernas Paskalia and Delfini, as well as some souvenir shops. Along the seafront are several tavernas and a Supermarket.

Car and moped rental in Armenistis.

Glaros Tours in Armenistis rents out cars and scooters.

In the upper part of Armenistis there is a supermarket, bicycle and scooter rental places, a gyros place, some tavernas and quite a few pensions. However, there is no bank, but there is an ATM.

Taverna Paschali is the best restaurant in Armenistis on Ikaria.

The Taverna Paskalia is located on both sides of the road.

Armenistis beach on Ikaria.

The small beach in Armenistis.

In Armenistis is the narrowest alley I have seen in Greece.

From the hill above Livadi beach, it only takes a few minutes to walk to the restaurants of Armenistis

We always live on the hill above Livadi beach and go to Armenistis and have dinner.

ACCOMMODATION IN ARMENISTIS

In Armenistis you can choose to stay in the village itself, or above the beaches of Livadia and Messakti. We usually stay at the far end of Livadia beach, and then preferably at Valeta Studios, which is a phenomenal pension. If you want to stay with a swimming pool, choose Cavos Bay Hotel.

Book Valeta Studios in Armenistis on Ikaria.