More tips for Iraklia by Iris Vlavianos - Food & Drinks

In the supermarket there is a good choice for food and drinks. If you want to go out to eat, I can recommend many restaurants. To Steki has my preference, just as O Pefkos.
• To Steki - This restaurant is located above the bakery in Panayia. It has a menu, but it is a surprise every night what is prepared. They always have multiple choices, and the portions are huge, so you need never fear to leave hungry: P! It also has a very homely atmosphere and I always feel like I'm sitting at the table with an aunt or grandmother. For example if you order pastitio, you get such a large piece of pastitio it could last for 2 nights and it only costs around 5 euros.
• Aeolos - THE pizzaria of Iraklia. They have many types of pizza and other Italian specialties (with a Greek influence). The pizzas are huge, and do not worry if you cannot finish it, because you get a nice red box around what is left of your pizza and you can take it home. It was a bit hilarious that since Iraklia, being of course a relatively small island with very few residents, now suddenly whas a pizza delivery line. It sits on a location with a beautiful view over the sea and other islands, but you can also sit inside when the Meltemi is blowing a bit too much. As I remember it is close to the apartments Venetiko. The owners are very friendly and always in for a chat with the guests.
• O Pefkos - a cozy restaurant that looks really very Greek: simple and cozy. You can sit under a large tree, which covers half of the restaurant, the grill is outside and it smells delicious all day. This is a very cheap restaurant. You can get fresh fish and meat and all kinds of oven and other dishes like fasolakia, moussaka, pastitio, briam etc etc.
• Maistrali - Located about 10 meters from O Pefkos is a very nice restaurant where you can go in all day. You can have breakfast, lunch and dinner here. You can also go here to play a game. You can also buy various magazines here and on the evening it is a nice place to take a drink. In the high season it is quite busy, and you sometimes have to wait for a table, but the owner Nikos sometimes will place an extra table somewhere as soon as possible. In May it will be certainly a lot quieter, and there will be enough place.
• To Gialiri - Nice restaurant in the port. The cook is a pleasant grandma that is strirring in the pots and pans. There is a menu, but not every day you can get everything that is listed on it. The cook will take you to the kitchen to explain to you what's on the menu.
• The other 2 restaurants are Perigiali and Sirma. These are also nice restaurants. Perigiali is next to the supermarket in Agios Georgios and Sirma in the port next to To Gialiri. The prices are also cheap, you only need to check the bill in Perigiali, since prices often vary with the prices on the menu. Sirma, like Maistrali, is relaxed and there is a bit of a lounge-like atmosphere with music, the food is good and you have a nice view of the harbor. New since a few years is a kind of snack bar where you can buy ice cream, sandwiches, tiropita, crepes, hamburgers and drinks. This Greek''snack''is situated at about 50 meters from the port, past the supermarket.

Things to do & things to see

If you want to sail around the entire island there is the possibility to go by fishing boat around the island. It will stop at some of the beaches and at each stop you have the opportunity for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and relaxing. The cave of Agios Ioannis are certainly recommended. This is the largest cave of the Cyclades and is around 15 km long. There is a whole story behind the cave and its name, and on each August 28, there is a church service in the cave. The story goes that a shepperd was taking cover under a tree because of the bad weather and fell asleep and than took off his coat and hanged it somewhere. When he came back into the village, the villagers said that there was a picture of Agios Ioannis on his coat. They then all went back to that spot where they discovered the entrance to the cave and the icon of Ioannis. Since then on each August 28 a church service is held, and the cave has the name of Saint Ioannis. The priest and all the people of Iraklia (often from other islands), the cave, and burn many candles. You can walk up and down Iraklia in a few hours. There are many churches, ancient remains of pirates (Iraklia was formerly an island occupied by Pirates), a Kastro (ruins of an old fort on the hill in Livadi), mountains, valleys with olive trees, the beach of Vourkaria, the bay in Tourkopigado, many goats and sheep, and remains of third village Iraklia. The sights are clearly marked and everywhere you go you will see wooden signs to the different destinations. However, it is a tip to be made with good walking shoes or sneakers, since there are many loose stones, and on winding roads etc.

Extra*

• You can rent scooters on Iraklia in the highseason 10/12 euro per day. From Agios Georgios to Panayia and Tourkopigado there is a nice paved road and you can put your scooter anywhere and walk from there. You might end up in a traffic jam though when you get stuck behind a herd of goats or a few slow donkeys: p.
• There is no bank on Iraklia, so it is useful to take enough cash with you. However, there is a daily boat to Naxos and back (Skopelitis).