Is a small coastal settlement about 4 km west of Armenistis and is always worth a trip. Actually, it’s not a real village in the traditional sense, just a collection of a few houses with no apparent village square. Nevertheless, it has a unique charm and as the residents of Nas claim: the most beautiful sunset in Ikaria. Has something!
The town of Nas consists of very few houses, most of which are actually taverns. All small, highly recommended family businesses where you can eat exceptionally tasty food and whose staff and owners are very friendly. People greet each other even if they don’t know each other. People stop to give you a ride in the car. People are warm.
Nas is located a few meters above a small rocky bay, a well-known place of pilgrimage in ancient times with its Artemis temple, a pirate’s nest in the Middle Ages because of its sheltered bay, and today a popular bathing beach, where bathing naked is not expressly permitted, but is often practiced and tolerated. By the way, Nas Bay is great for snorkeling.
However, be careful in high waves! There are then very strong underwater currents, which can be fatal. Because they move out into the open sea with incredible force, people who carelessly ignore the warnings of the locals drown every year.
The river “Chalaris” (Χάλαρης “the one that carries everything along”) flows into the bay of Nas and, coming from the Pezi plateau via Raches, forms a small green delta. Until three years ago, the river valley was a popular “wild camping spot” for hippies and dropouts. However, during the great flood of 2010, “Chalares” uprooted all of the shade-providing plane trees and swept them into the sea. Since then, things have become quieter in the valley. The temple ruins are actually just a piece of the ancient harbor wall and the foundation of the marble temple, which the Christians built into their churches 150 years ago or burned into lime. Nevertheless, the bay and the ruins are said to have mystical powers, which means that you can sometimes meet some pretty aloof people here.
In Nas there are some cozy little taverns and guesthouses and you have this wonderful view over the entire bay from practically everywhere. You can eat delicious food and relax wonderfully here. Nas is a 5-minute drive from Armenistis. If you prefer hiking, you can reach Nas in an hour from Armenistis along the coastal road. Or you can also take the high path over the gardens of Kato Raches. Shortly after the last houses in Armenistis, this leads as a small hiking trail to the left of the coastal road, up the slope. There is even a signpost. This hike is particularly recommended when everything is blooming and smelling. After about an hour and a half (including dawdling, looking and taking photos) you reach your destination.
If you are reasonably good on foot, you can hike up the river valley to Christos Raches. This is a three-hour hike uphill, well marked, but not a walk. If you plan your arrival time correctly in Raches (see more), you will be rewarded with delicious coffee and cake or ouzo and something heartier under the shady plane trees in the charming Platia of Christos.
For the more hardcore, the hike continues from there through the water landscapes of Diplopotama up to the large reservoir and the Pezi plateau.