Driving in Ikaria: Discover the Secrets of This Amazing Island
Ikaria, the authentic Greek island in the North Aegean Sea, is renowned for its natural beauty and relaxed pace of life, which you can experience when talking to the locals. With its mountainous landscape, traditional villages and unspoiled beaches, Ikaria offers you the opportunity for tranquil vacations away from mass tourism.
However, as public transportation in Ikaria is limited, having a car is essential if you want to explore the island and its hidden gems (which btw are many). From the lively village of Agios Kirykos and the therapeutic hot springs of Therma to the remote beach of Seychelles and the traditional village of Christos Raches, by car you can be sure you will discover everything this amazing island has to offer.
Generally, driving in Ikaria is easy, but you should be cautious. The most important driving laws in Ikaria are the prohibition of alcohol and mobile phones and a (funny) tip you should remember is to be prepared for pedestrians and livestock walking slowly on the road!
Read further in detail what you should know about driving on this unique island, especially if you are a foreign traveler and you rent a car in Ikaria.
Is driving in Ikaria left or right?
In Ikaria, drivers drive to the right side of the road, as in most European countries, following the continental system. Thus, the driver’s seat is on the left side of the car.
Is driving in Ikaria easy?
Driving in Ikaria is manageable, but there are some challenges. The good news is that there is adequate signage and the traffic is low as most cities are small. However, there are no highways, but only local roads.
These local roads are narrow with sharp turns, while at night have bad lighting. So, for inexperienced drivers they are difficult, especially with big cars that are not easy to maneuver.
The beaches with easy access are Messakti, Livadi and Faros, while to Seychelles, Nas, Nealia and Trapalou the road is more difficult and the final part is dirt. So, if you want to go there, we recommend you renting a 4X4 car, as driving on unpaved roads with rental car is not allowed.
Driving laws in Ikaria
The most important driving laws in Ikaria are:
- Alcohol consumption before (and of course during) driving is prohibited. The alcohol limit for driving is 0.05% for private drivers. However, a lower limit of 0.02% applies to young drivers with less than two years of experience, motorcycle riders and professional drivers.
- The use of seat belts is mandatory for all passengers.
- Children under 12 years old must use appropriate seats for children.
- Speed limits are 50/70 km/h in urban areas.
- The use of mobile phone is allowed only with handsfree / bluetooth devices.
Best tips for driving in Ikaria
We recommend you remember the following tips for driving in Ikaria:
- Use headlights during the day on shaded roads to improve visibility.
- Drive at low speed (even lower than the speed limit) on narrow mountainous roads.
- Don’t drive at night if you are not familiar with steep roads and sharp turns.
- Don’t drive large cars, such as family cars. A smaller economy car is better if you are unfamiliar with local winding roads. However, if you want to visit all beaches, even the remote ones, then you should rent a 4X4 in Ikaria so that you can drive even on unpaved roads.
- Don’t be surprised if you see in the middle of the road goats or cows! So, drive very cautiously and at a low speed in and around the villages.
Start planning your trip now and rent a car in Ikaria with Abbycar at the lowest prices among a large variety of new and safe vehicles!
