Maria's Rooms

Relax with a Greek coffee on your private balconies with panoramic views of the mountains and the Ikarian Sea. A small port and beach is just a 150 meter short downhill walk. On the upper floor of a private home the apartment has one common space with a kitchen, two bedrooms and private bathroom. It is accessed by a private entrance from an exterior stairwell. Each bedroom has its own balcony with sea view and its own air conditioning heating unit. The apartment has two bedrooms and can be booked for 2 to 4 people. Guests have private and exclusive access to whole upper floor apartment. Hosts live on ground level below guests and can be reached for questions, information, or concerns. Magganitis village is a super quite village as it is off the beaten path. The main road of the island dead ends here at this village and as such there is no through traffic. It has about 50 year-round residents and about 300 in the summer months. The village is on the coast but sits on the side of a mountain. The village begins as a small fishing port and rises towards the mountains. It is about 1 hour drive from the airport and 45 minute drive from each of the two main port towns of the island, Agios Kirikos and Evdilos. (Website hidden by Airbnb) (Website hidden by Airbnb) Apartment is about 50 meters away from Saint Nicholas church. There is no car access here. You have to park near or above the church and walk down below down a path and to a narrow alley. The apartment is found at the last house of at the end of the walkway. As their is no bus service on the island guests must make their way to the village by taxi or rental car. Be aware that rental cars book quickly in the summer months. The village of Magganitis is found on the southern side of the island. It is a 1-hour drive away from the airport and a 45-minute drive from each of the two main port towns on the island which are accessed by ferries from the mainland and other islands. Ferries are frequent in the summer with service nearly every day and less so in the winter with every-other-day service. If you have rent a car make sure you have enough gas because the closest gas station is up a very steep mountain road in the village of Kossikia about a 25 minute 10km drive from Magganitis. The closest gas station on the southern part of the island is found in the village of Ksilosirtis is about a 45 minute drive. Getting around the village can be down by foot on using main roads and some foot paths. The village is built on a steep rise stretching from the coast all the way to the mountains and as such the roads and paths are steep as well. The village has a small port just 150 meters away by foot which locals use also for swimming. Firodi Beach is found at the eastern edge of the village. Further east is Seychelles Beach is at the far eastern edge of the village. This beach cannot easily be accessed by foot but in the summer one can take small boats from the port to the beach. call George at Ikariaboats tel (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) to set it up or see him in the village's port. Magganitis has 4 or 5 cafes one of which also works as a small market. It also has 3 taverns-restaurants. Magganitis is a village to get away from it all. To unplug and to unwind. To get away from traffic and noise. It's a calm easy-going and laid-back place where you go to listen to the sounds of the sea the mountains. Talk with friendly local people. Sip a Greek coffee slowly for a full hour. Take a dive in the crystal clear blue sea. Walk the foot paths in the mountains and find an ancient Church. Take a boat ride to Seychelles Beach. Relax a bit. Slow things down. Have a glass of Pramnian wine referred to by Homer in the Iliad. This is the ancient traditional Ikarian home grown wine. It is strong, dark-red, dry and fruity wine. Take your watch off. This is Ikaria. This is Magganitis. There's plenty to do in and around the village but if you crave adventure or day trips here are some recommended note-worthy Ikarian sights: Theoktisti Monastery, Pigi Moni Mounte Monastery, Tragostasi (Kastanies) Agia Irini, Archeological Museum, and Ancient Odeon Theater at Kampos Temple of Artemis Tavropolos at Nas Beach >Beaches: Mesakti, Gialiskari* Livadi, Armenistis* Kampos* Faros** Kiparisi** *Organized with beach chair and umbrella rental (seasonal) and cantines for food and refreshments. **Have cantines but no beach chair nor umbrella rental >Ikaria for adventure seekers: Ancient Forest of Randi, Petropouli (3 to 4 hour round trip hike by foot adventure seeker, rating difficulty rating 9 out of 10) Koskinas Castle Agios Giorgios, Kossikia (adventure vehicle seeker, rating difficulty rating 8 out of 10, also short 200 meter hike to the top with adventure seeker by foot, rating difficulty rating 8 out of 10) Halaris Gorge Hike, Nas to Christos Raches (8 to 10 hour round trip by foot adventure seeker, rating difficulty rating 9 out of 10) Agios Isidoros (by vehicle adventure seeker, rating difficulty rating 7 out of 10) Agios Stathis, Atheras Mountain (by 4x4 vehicle or Enduro Moto adventure seekers, rating difficulty 9 out of 10) Erifi Plateau Mountain, Raches (by vehicle adventure seeker, rating difficulty 7 out of 10) Drakano Hellenistic Age Lighthouse, Faro (by vehicle adventure seeker rating difficulty rating 6 out of 10) Therma Lefkadas Hot Springs (hike by foot adventure seeker, rating difficulty rating 5 out of 10) Seychelles Beach, Magganitis (45 minute round trip hike by foot adventure seeker, rating difficulty rating 7 out of 10) Seychelles beach can also be accessed by small boat (seasonal) from the port of Magganitis which eliminates the need for hike. Call George at Ikariaboats to arrange tel (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) (Website hidden by Airbnb) (Website hidden by Airbnb) Trapalou Beach, 20 minute drive passed Karkinagri village (by vehicle adventure seeker, rating difficulty rating 8 out of 10 most distant out of the way beach)  Agios Giorgios Beach, near airport and just under Drakano (by vehicle adventure seeker, rating difficulty rating 6 out of 10 and then by foot path difficulty 8 out of 10) Skourdouliari Beach, below Chrisostomo village (by vehicle adventure seeker, rating difficulty rating 6 out of 10)  Iero Beach, near airport (by vehicle adventure seeker, rating difficulty rating 6 out of 10) >Noteworthy villages: Christos Raches Agios Dimitrios Agios Polikarpos Karabostamo Armenistis Gialiskari Nas Frantato Maratho Arethousa Vrakades Akamatra Karginagri (by vehicle adventure seeker, rating difficulty rating 8 out of 10 for most distant village) Therma (Thermal Mineral Hot Springs) Xilosirtis Evdilos Port Agios Kirikos Port >Top Ikaria Experience: Ikarian Panagiri or traditional feast day celebration. Numerous Dates from mid May until end of September. Unique opportunity to revel with the Ikarians amidst village surroundings, traditional food, live music, non-stop dancing, and plenty of Ikarian wine. Typically start in the early afternoon and go on until the next morning. * Safety note for vehicle adventure seekers- CAUTION Many roads in Ikaria in addition to being mountainous are also dirt and/or rocky and as such should be characterized as “off-road” and require particular care and caution. Much of the difficulty level described above has to do with not only distance but something just shy of 4x4/off-road driving ability and experience. Also gas stations are few and far between. Fill up with petrol whenever you can.  **Most beaches and sights in Ikaria are un-organized meaning they don't have cantines for food or refreshments. You must bring your own.  In the winter the air conditioning units also can be used for heat.