Greek language courses in Greece & Experience Stays in Ikaria

Welcome to the Ikarian Centre, the ideal place to learn Greek in Greece. We offer high-quality Greek language courses in Greece, alongside inspiring experience stays in the heart of Ikaria. Whether you are joining our immersive courses or simply looking for an alternative retreat to experience the island’s culture, our center is your home in Greece.

Learn Greek in Greece, island Ikaria

For more than 30 years, since 1995, the Ikarian Centre has been offering an experience that combines Greek language courses in Greece, accommodation in direct contact with nature, hiking on local trails, and activities that facilitate language immersion and connection with the area and the culture of its inhabitants.

Many interpreters and translators, diplomats, classicists, students and teachers have participated in the Greek language courses we organize over the years. At the same time, the atmosphere in our classes is very friendly. Students participate in small, homogeneous classes of up to 4 students and learn through a variety of language games and activities.

More about our Greek language courses in Greece

Special and Seasonal Greek courses

Advanced level
A Greek language course meticulously designed for advanced users, including translators and interpreters
Olive Harvesting & Local Culture
Participate in the olive harvest in November and immerse yourself in the local culture and the natural environment of the Greek island of Ikaria.
Lessons at Orthodox Easter (2027)
Study Greek at Orthodox Easter. Join our intensive language courses in Ikaria, participate in authentic local customs, and experience a unique Greek spring.
Winter Lessons (2027)
This specialized long-term winter program combines our standard intensive Greek language courses with an immersive journey into Greece's deep cultural roots. Alongside your daily classroom lessons, you will live and participate with locals during the famous Ikarian Carnival, experience the unique traditions of Clean Monday, and discover the authentic winter lifestyle of the island.

Staying at the Ikarian Centre

More Than Just a Place to Study Greek: Your Home in Ikaria

Nestled on the peaceful, wild hillsides of Arethousa, the Ikarian Centre’s guesthouse is a purpose-built sanctuary designed for mindful travelers and groups. Looking out over panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, our campus serves as the perfect, distraction-free home base to experience the authentic rhythm of the island. Whether you are here for an independent Community Living, joining our guided Active Stays to hike and connect with locals, or booking the entire estate for an exclusive Group Retreat, you will find a welcoming space that inspires relaxation, focus, and deep cultural immersion.

Explore Our Stay Programs

The guesthouse - a learning community

Greek language courses in Greece, accommodation

Staying at our guesthouse is an integral part of the learning experience, offering students a unique "home away from home" in the heart of the island’s Blue Zone. Designed to foster connection and cultural immersion, the estate provides a serene environment where students live and study together as a close-knit community. Because the classrooms are located just steps away from the rooms, your daily life transitions seamlessly from morning lessons to relaxed afternoons of study or conversation.

Each student enjoys the privacy of an independent room with a private bathroom and kitchenette, while the expansive communal areas—including the large shared kitchen and sun-drenched terraces—become the heart of social life. The site offers spectacular, unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea, providing a peaceful backdrop for reflection between classes. A short, scenic walk leads to the traditional village of Arethousa, allowing easy access to local life. Here, the Greek language comes to life naturally through shared meals and the collective energy of fellow learners, all within a quiet, intentional space dedicated to academic focus.

More about living and learning at Ikarian Centre

Reviews

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Georgina Howard 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I went to learn Greek in Ikaria, not only because of a love of the language, but also to compare the work done here with my own language immersion courses, run from my home in the Spanish Pyrenees. I was extremely impressed. The quality of the teaching and engagement of the staff was absolutely superb, a benchmark for work in this field. I will be back. Thank you all so much. Georgina
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Merche García Lledó 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I wasn’t planning to leave a review but I see there is none yet for 2025 and I would like interested students to have access to an updated one :-).

I took a one-week course and I am very pleased with the experience. From the pickup at the airport (very convenient) to the activities organized during the week (a hike, a dinner, a dancing lesson, coffee at the village regularly, etc. Everyday there is something which you can decide to join or not. Since the location is very up the hill, its extremely convenient that transportation back and forth is included.

As for the accommodation, the room has everything you might need for your stay (including a very convenient fridge and hairdryer). It’s clean, includes towels, the bed is comfy and the views are simply amazing. Also the heating is very good. You get a key but you end up not even using it because it’s a family vibe where you feel very safe. Also, you have access to all the premises, including common areas and kitchen (with washing machine and even dryer).

Regarding the classes, Mihalis first makes an assessment of your level and then decides what class is best for you, also taking the levels of the other students in consideration. I find extremely difficult to do what he does (adapt to whoever enrolls regardless of levels) and yet he does it very professionally. I feel I learned and refreshed my knowledge, which was the goal!

In summary, highly recommended!! :-)
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   נטע טיולים 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a wonderful experience I had here !
The best place to study and advance in Greek.
, Mr. Mihalis is the best teacher.
I met people from different places who are all "crazy" like me to the Greek language and culture and Mr. Mihalis and his team.
certainly helped us getting to understand it . The place is beautiful, simple and with great views
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Rita De Vito 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Una vacanza studio indimenticabile.Un luogo semplice, anche nella gestione, e questo favorisce la sensazione di sentirsi subito a casa. La sua posizione incantevole e un po' isolata lo rendono il luogo ideale per studiare. Facilissimo anche farsi coinvolgere dalle bellissime serate di feste e musica di cui l'isola di Ikaria è generosa. Mihalis è un perfetto padrone di casa e così le persone di cui si circonda. Indimenticabili Maria, Natassa, Grigoris.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Camila Paz 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Un sitio perfecto para conocer la cultura griega de primera mano, con grandes anfitriones y estupendos profesores.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Vorrin Tal 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. TL;DR: if you're not into big hotels with breakfast service and stuff, this is the best place ever.

We've visited the Ikarian Centre in its guesthouse incarnation, and it was completely wonderful.

The location is really breath-taking, quite isolated, but not too far from the tiny and characterful town of Arethousa, atop a hill, with a really marvellous vista over Evdalos port and a beautiful valley.

Mikelis, the person running the place (and teaching Greek, if you go for the Greek language course) has been exceptionally welcoming, pointed us in all the right directions for nice non-touristic beaches, tavernas, towns and anything we were interested in, quite literally like having an Ikarian friend draw you a custom map of the place, taking his time explaining everything and asking you what you'd be interested in.

The room was wonderful, very cute in a rustic way, quiet and with plenty of windows looking over pretty places, clearly built with care, also confirmed by the fact it included quite literally anything you could want to have in a room, a fridge, a sink, a bathroom, a fan, a little cooker, pots and pans, cutlery, even down to mosquito repellant and a couple of little bedsit lamps.

In the mornings you can have breakfast sitting outside, chat with the other guests/students, take in the vistas, and pick figs straight off the tree.

Can't quite think of a better place to stay in Ikaria, or generally on a holiday, good location, good atmosphere in a place clearly made to be pleasant in a genuine way.

And for some reason Google doesn't want me to post this!?!?
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Philippe Clerc 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 🥰😊😂🇬🇷📈💒⛱️🍻📝📚📔🇬🇷📈📈📈!!!!!!!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Abigail DeVaughn 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Αν θέλεις να μάθεις Ελληνικά θα πάρεις πολύ καλά εκπαίδευση εδώ. Οι καθηγητές είναι καλοί και οι δραστηριότητες βοηθούν να μάθεις ακόμα περισσότερα.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Wolke A. 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It's a wonderful place for studying Greek. People come here from all over the world. This place is in the middle of nature, a calming place. This program gives you the chance to meet local people and practice your Greek. The centre has three small houses and they are simple but comfortable and allows for intimate contact with your classmates. If you come, it is very difficult to leave .

Lessons in language and life on the Greek island of Ikaria

By Anna Hestler
January 31, 2013

At a mini-market on the Greek island of Ikaria, I study the labels on various items, trying to decipher their meaning. It’s been three days since I left my Greek husband back in New York and dove headfirst into a local language immersion course. I’m feeling a tad out of my depth.

More reviews