Iraklia island

General info
Iraklia is the biggest and the southernmost island of the Small Eastern Cyclades cluster, located between the islands of Naxos, Amorgos and Ios. It covers 18 square km and has 150 permanent residents.

Iraklia has a semi-mountainous terrain, low hills, places which are arid and other which rich vegetation is grown due to the spring which found around. This wild, untouched by tourism, beauty of Iraklia has a smoothing impact to the senses. The magnificent beaches with fabulous crystal clear waters in all shades of blue-green, the unexplored coves, the serenity of the delightful bays which never become over crowded, create peaceful scenery. Iraklia is ideal for trekking, since it has many footpaths that lead in places still untouched by human intervention and are a safe shelter for rare species of flora and fauna.

Neighbouring islands to Iraklia are Naxos, Ios and Amorgos.

Historical profile
Excavations have brought to light two settlements dating back to the Protocycladic period (3rd Millennium BC).
Little is known for the history of Iraklia, however archaeological traits which are scattered around the island, with most prominent the well preserved Hellenistic fortidied settlement in the position Livadi, are indication of a long history lost in time.
During the Ottoman occupation of Aegean, Iraklia became an ideal and safe shelter for the pirates. After the end of the Greek War of Independence in 1821, the island was incorporated in the Greek State only for loosing its freedom again in 1941 when it was occupied by the Italian and then by the Germans. Iraklia was finally liberated in 1944.

Villages
Agios Georgios (St. George) is the main port of the island and also a picturesque settlement of about 100 permanent residents, built in the edge of an idyllic bay. It is the scenery of the charming and simple Cycladic houses, of the magnificent beach of blue clear waters and of the small fishing boats as they are lazily rocking on the sparkling waters that awake to the visitor a forgotten truth:  the serenity is hidden in simplicity. 

Just 4 km southwest to Agios Georgios, is located Panagia, an inland agricultural settlement which is also the capital of the island. It is a friendly village with delightful alleys and people there live a simple life. It is worth-visiting if you wish to see how the daily life in a small Cycladic island is, but also because this is the road that leads to the fabulous Cave of Agios Ioannis, with impressive stalactites and stalagmites and to the Cyclop’s Cave where according to tradition the mythological Cyclops were living.

Beaches
Iralkia is blessed with amazing beaches of crystal clear waters. Unspoiled as they are by tourism are ideal for nature lovers and those who seek to relax in attractive scenery of caves and wonderful coves. Diving becomes a pure pleasure as the sea bottom is of astonishing beauty. 
Some of the best beaches are Agios Ioannis beach, a sandy beach with blue –green waters with tree shadow, the Livadi beach, a wonderful long sandy beach with emerald waters and is very popular and Tourkopigado, a fine pebbled beach. 

Access
Iraklia has direct connection with the port of Piraeus (Attica) by scheduled trips, especially during summer season.
It is also connected with the islands of Syros, Paros, Naxos, Koufonissia (Koufonisia), Schinousssa (Schinousa) and Amorgos.