INFORMATION ABOUT IRAKLEIA ISLAND

Irakleia is one of most peaceful islands of Cyclades offering quiet vacation for complete relaxation. The lack of cosmopolitan life but also the quiet alleys of the island give a feeling of absolute peace to the visitors.

In the westernmost point of Eastern Cyclades, Irakleia is very near to Naxos with 1 hour and 15 minutes travel time. You can travel from the port of Piraeus. The island’s surface area is 18.078 square kilometers.

The two main settlements of the island are Panagia or Chora. The island's port is in Agios Georgios.

For those who love diving, the island has a beautiful bottom sea that can be explored. You can enjoy quiet walks in the narrow alleys of the island and discover its natural beauty.

There are no gas station and banks on the island. The island has a heliport.

You can enjoy traditional dishes of the island, such as fava, cheese and thyme honey. The farming is one of the main occupations for most residents. Meats (goat, lamb, and pork) are included in the traditional cuisine of the island. During the summer time many residents of Irakleia work in tourism-related services.

IRAKLEIA ISLAND HISTORY

The locals call the island Arakleia. During the years of seniority in the Middle Ages it was called Irakleitsa. The island flourished when the Cycladic culture dominated from 3200 B.C. through 1000 B.C.

In the museums of the island you can find several archaeological findings that bear witness to history. The inhabitants of the island periodically abandoned the island because of the pirate’s raids. Late in the 18th century until 1826, the island belonged to the monastery of Chozoviotissa. From the late 18th century through 1826, most of the island was infertile and only a few lots, called metohia were cultivated or used for grazing animals for Panayia Hozoviotissa’s monks on Amorgos, as the island was one of the monastery’s assets.