Nas

Nas is where the Chalares river reaches the sea on the exposed northwestern coast of Ikaria, cutting a small ravine that ends in a pebble cove between dark rock walls. The name comes from naos, temple: on the terrace above the cove lie the foundations of a sanctuary of Artemis Tauropolos, which stood at the last safe landing before the open sea and where sailors made offerings before the crossing. Behind the beach the river forms a freshwater pool shaded by trees, and a path follows the ravine inland past further pools. The sea here is deep and often rough, with a current at the cove mouth. A few tavernas sit on the cliff above with a view straight down.

What you actually see

• The temple foundations - remains of the Artemis sanctuary above the cove.
• The pebble cove - a small beach where the river meets the sea.
• The freshwater pool - a shaded pool behind the beach at the river mouth.
• The ravine path - a walk upstream past further pools.

When to go

June to September for swimming; the northwest coast is exposed and the sea is often too rough to enter safely, so calm days matter more than the month. Mornings are usually the quietest water.

Honest expectations

Currents at the cove mouth are strong and there are no lifeguards, and the beach has drowning history, so caution is genuinely warranted. Access is down a long flight of steps from the road. The ancient remains are slight, low foundations without signage.

Nearby

Armenistis and Livadi beach lie east; the Rachas villages and Halari gorge are inland.