Things to do in Iraklia

Iraklia island in Greece might just be the quiet Greek island getaway you’ve always dreamed about. Here’s a look at what to expect, and top things to do in Iraklia, Greece.

Iraklia Island in the Cyclades, Greece

Iraklia is one of the Small Cyclades islands, located off the coast of Naxos. It has a population of 148, and an area of 17.795 km2 or 6.871 sq miles. Yes, those figures are right!

I’ve been fortunate to have visited Iraklia twice now, once in 2019, and then again in 2024 for about a month.

The fact that I decided to stay for a month on one of the smallest inhabited islands in Greece is a testament to how alluring Iraklia can be. It’s not for everyone though. Some people might freak out with how quiet Iraklia is!

Iraklia is really for people who have visited Greece before, or are looking for the ultimate island getaway. I hate to use the phrase hidden gem (especially when I’m publicly writing about it!), but honestly, it is.

If your idea of getting away from it all is to take a pile of books to read, while spending days on the beach and evenings in a taverna, Iraklia is going to be for you. If you need constant stimulation and activity, then you’ll probably be better off on another island. 

As you’re still reading, I guess you’re intrigued to find out a little more about Iraklia and what there is to see and do there. I’ll start by describing quickly how to get there.

How to get to Iraklia

It goes without saying that there is no airport on Iraklia island, so the only way to reach Iraklia is by ferry. There are regular ferry connections with Naxos (the closest main island) and other islands in the Small Cyclades like Schinoussa.

Express Skopelitis (Small Cyclades Lines) makes daily rounds between Naxos and Iraklia. Blue Star ferries also offer ferry services, and quite strangely in 2024 Saos Ferries also operated a ferry service. I thought they only sailed in the Dodecanese!

When I last visited Iraklia, I did so after spending time in Amorgos. The ferry from Amorgos to Iraklia was on a Blue Star Ferry. As always, I booked ferry tickets using: Ferryhopper.

Where to stay in Iraklia

The days of Greek Grandmothers waiting at the ferry port to try and get you to stay at their places are long behind us now. Even on Iraklia, you are better booking in advance. Hotel owners will typically meet you at the ferry port on arrival – but you do need to have booked first!

Agios Georgios is the best place to stay in Iraklia. It’s the main port town with all the services which include the two mini-markets, ATM machine, and post office.  Villa Meltemi and Sunset are among the best places to stay. In 2024, I stayed in Sohoros Studios in a lovely apartment that was perfect with shade on the balcony during the day and a nice breeze.

I've a full guide here: Where to stay in Iraklia


Booking.com

 

So what is there to do in Iraklia?

Great question, let’s start with the beaches!

1. Iraklia Beaches

Livadi Beach in Iraklia is the biggest and most popular beach on the island. In my opinion, Livadi beach is one of the best beaches in Greece. You can reach it in about 10-15 minutes walking from Agios Georgios, or you can drive.

Livadi is a sandy beach, which could be called unorganized in that there are no sunbeds and umbrellas to hire. There’s a few trees for shade, but if you don’t get there early enough, you’ll need your own beach gear to keep you shaded from the sun.

In the past free camping used to be tolerated here, but that seems to be a thing from the past. The far end of the beach is still where the nudists head for though.

With good weather, Livadi is an incredible place to relax and swim. As it faces north though, it can often be affected by the strong Meltemi winds that are quite common in summer.

The second sandy beach is smaller, and located at Agios Georgios port, which is very easily accessible and more protected from the winds than Livadi beach. As a result, Agios Georgios beach can get crowded, by Iraklia standards, on windy days. There’s some nice natural shade available on this beach, but again you’ll want to get there early to claim a spot!

More beaches in Iraklia

Another small beach with sand and pebbles on the north of the island, Vorini Spilia, is also worth exploring, as it’s quiet and relaxed. Again, it’s best to visit on a non-windy day, as it will be very difficult to swim otherwise. You can hike there through the path passing by Agios Athanasios.

If you have a car or are happy to go for a short hike from the village of Panagia in the center of Iraklia, you can easily reach pebbly Tourkopigado beach, to the east of the island. As it is right inside a small bay, it is protected from the winds. This can be a good choice on days the wind is blowing in the wrong direction for the other Iraklia beaches mentioned so far.

Anemos Boat Trip To Beaches

Two of the nicest beaches in Iraklia are Karvounolakkos and Alimia beach, only accessible through a short boat trip on the “Anemos” boat.

Both of these beaches are stunning, with crystal clear water. Alimia, on the west side of the island, hides a secret – a German airplane from World War II lies under the surface of the sea, and the water is so clear that you can actually see it from the boat.

Snorkels and fins are provided, but be prepared for a very refreshing swim in the deep blue sea!

2. Hiking in Iraklia 

Iraklia has eight distinct hiking trails that are popular with nature lovers. Like in most of the other Cyclades islands in Greece, the landscape in Iraklia is wild and dry. In summer, the heat can be very strong, so early morning or later afternoon is the best time for walking.

The island has cliffs all around and there are several viewing points from where you can see 19 of the nearby islands. The highest point of the island is called Papas hill, and it’s a whopping 420 metres.

Even if you have been to Santorini, the view from Papas is likely to stay in your mind forever.

Some of the best hikes in Iraklia are the trails leading to Profitis Ilias and to Merichas, where you can reach one of the most picturesque points of the island.

If you look up, you will definitely see some prey birds, as the island is home to 26 distinct types of hawks, eagles and the like. Sit at the edge of the cliff and look down to the sea, and you will feel like you are at the world’s end.

One of the most enjoyable hikes in Iraklia is to the Cave of St. John.

3. Cave of Agios Ioannis

Iraklia has another secret, the Cave of Agios Ioannis (Saint John). This massive cave is the seventh largest cave in Greece, and can be reached after a hike of about an hour and a half from the village of Panagia. YOu can also walk all the way from Agios Georgios if you are up for the challenge.

As the entrance to the cave of Saint John is quite small, you will have to go in on your hands and knees – but it’s absolutely worth it and once you are inside the cave you won’t believe its size.

The cave is always open for people to visit, but there is no infrastructure for visitors. You’ll need to take a head-torch so you can see the stalactites and stalagmites inside!

Agios Ioannis cave was discovered accidentally at the end of the 19th century by a shepherd. According to tradition, Saint John’s icon was found in the cave, and this is how it got its name.

Every year, on the 28th August, the eve of the Saint’s nameday, a major religious ceremony happens in the cave, and hundreds of people arrive to celebrate the Saint with chants and candles. This is followed by songs and dances until late at night. If you happen to be visiting Iraklia around that time, don’t miss it.

I last hiked there at the end of June, and left at 17.45 ish from the village. This gave us enough time to hike to the cave, spend some time in it, and then get back to the village as the sun was setting.

 

** Now on Amazon Kindle – Travel Guide to Schinoussa and Iraklia Greece **

4. Eating out in Iraklia Island

All that beach time and walking is bound to work up an appetite! Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent tavernas for you to relax and enjoy meals in.

I’ve never had a bad meal in Iraklia, so almost anywhere you choose to eat will be fine. My overall favourite though was the Drosia taverna in Panagia, the village in the center of the island. I ate there 3 or 4 times during my month in Iraklia and found it great value! It’s a great place to have a meal after you have completed the cave hike.

The tastiest meal I had was at Akathi, and looking back in my diary, I found that I also rated Akathi highly on my previous visit to Iraklia. Eat upstairs on the veranda for a lovely view and relaxing breeze!

During our 2024 visit which lasted until the 2nd of July, the famous Surfin Bird taverna was still yet to open for the year. The iconic scooter (which I believe is different colours each year) was also absent. Perhaps it will be open when you got to Iraklia – who knows! If it is open though, try it out. The views from there are amazing!

Iraklia Travel Tips 

After spending so long on Iraklia, I though’d I’d include a few travel tips to help your planning and time there go more smoothly.

• You don’t need to rent a car or bike in Iraklia to get around as there is a local shuttle service. It’s also easy to walk from the main town to Livadi beach. Some hotels do offer cars for clients to rent, there’s an island taxi, and you might be able to rent a car in other places. There’s no gas station on the island though.
• There’s two mini-markets in Iraklia, both of which are unnecessarily overpriced. If you are staying for longer than a week, you can arrange to get groceries delivered from Naxos via Skopelitis. Ask your hotel owner to help you out.
• Check out the ferry timetables to see if you can squeeze in a day trip to neighbouring Schinoussa island. We found one that gave us 8 hours on the island, which worked out great.

 

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Iraklia and Greek Mythology

If you have ever read Homer’s Odyssey, you will remember the story of Polifimos, the Cyclops who captured Odysseus and his colleagues on their way back to Ithaca and kept them in his cave, which was likely the smaller cave opposite St John’s cave.

Odysseus managed to cheat the Cyclops by blinding his only eye, and free his colleagues. As they were sailing away from Iraklia, Polifimos started throwing big boulders towards them.

These can still be seen today – they are the small islets called Avelonisia, to the west of Iraklia.

FAQ About the tiny island of Iraklia

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions by people planning to travel to Iraklia and other Greek islands in the Small Cyclades Group:

Where is Iraklia located?

The largest island of the Lesser Cyclades is Iraklia, which is located in the eastern section of the archipelago and to the south of Naxos in the Aegean Sea. Panagia, the island's main town, sits in the middle, while Agios Georgios, where the port is found, is on the northern coast.

How do you get to Iraklia?

The only way to get to the Greek island of Iraklia is by ferry boat. The island is accessible via Naxos, Donoussa, Koufonisia and other places in the Cyclades. You can also reach Iraklia directly from some of the Athens ports.

What are the small Cyclades?

The Lesser or Small Cyclades consist of the main islands of Ano Koufonisi, Kato Koufonisi, Irakleia, Schoinoussa, Donousa and Keros, as well as a cluster of inhabited rocks and islets. This group is located to the nearby island of Naxos.

Where in Greece is Naxos?

Naxos is a Greek island located almost in the center of the Cyclades group. It's the largest and greener of the Cyclades islands, with a spectacular natural environment! The history of richness and history is evident in the numerous archaeological sites that dot it.

How long should I stay in Iraklia Greece?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. If you like nature and want to get away from it all, any amount of time will be fine. Iraklia is charming and grows on you, and you will probably miss it when you’re back home. I'd suggest to stay in Iraklia for at least 3 days, but you'll love more!

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