Karpathos: The mountainous island of the Dodecanese
Karpathos island is the second largest of the Dodecanese island complex, in the southeastern Aegean Sea.
Its diverse landscape invites all nature lovers to taste the authentic Aegean hospitality and experience relaxing moments under the Greek skies.
On the northern part of the island, the gorgeous Mount. Kali Limni and the Lastos plateau invite you to enjoy hiking surrounded by rocky cliffs, small gorges, springs and running waters.
The Mount. Kali Limni is the highest mountain on the island with an altitude of 1215 meters and the tallest mountain in the Dodecanese island complex!
Discover Karpathos on foot or by bike: Karpathos has a well-signed network of hiking trails and 100 climbing trails, most of them located in Kyra Panagia, Apella and Adea areas.
Kitesurfing or Diving?
With a 160 km coastline and countless caves, Karpathos is the ultimate destination for water sports.
Kite surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, and SUP are some of the water activities you can enjoy in the Karpathian Sea that surrounds Karpathos.
In Karpathos during the summer months the strong winds that are called ”meltemia” and during the winter months rainfalls followed by high humidity.
The Karpathian Sea & the Saria islet
Karpathian Sea is part of the Aegean Sea and is between Karpathos and Rhodos island.
Karpathos is located about 47 kilometres southwest of Rhodes and the Saria volcanic islet is located on the northern edge of Karpathos, separated by a 100-meter narrow passage of water.
During the summer months small boats connect
Pigadia to Saria islet, departing from Diafani port, οn the northwest coast of the island.
In the 15th century in Saria lived the Saracen pirates, nowadays the only inhabitants of the islet are the Mediterranean monk seals who find shelter in the peaceful sea waters along the Saria islet.
Karpathos and Saria are parts of the NATURA 2000 network and important ecosystems for the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus Monachus) and a great number of endemic and migratory bird species.
Tradition is alive in Karpathos
Traditional celebrations are part of the island life where the Karpathian festive feasts include traditional Karpathian music with Karpathian lyre, lute, Tsampouna (Greek bagpipe), Karpathian cuisine, and dances.
It is remarkable that on Karpathos artists of all ages create their own musical instruments such as lyres, lutes, and violins!
Siganos, Zervos, Sousta, and Arkistis are some of the Karpathian traditional dances and the Cultural Associations of the Municipality organize regular traditional events wine festivals and dance meetings.
Othos mountain village & the Karpathian House
Othos is the highest village on the island built at an altitude of 510 meters above sea level.
In this mountain village is located the Folklore Museum or also called ”The Karpathian house”.
The Karpathian House is a traditional house owned by Varikas and Aristotle Stavrakis and its interior is packed with Karpathian history: Ceramic plates and glassware, wooden sofas, and shelves with fine decorative carvings, traditional woven textiles and musical instruments.
More information:
Contact the Karpathian House: +30 22450 31460
Opening hours: Mon-Sun from 10:00 to 13:00
Pigadia & Diafani ports
There are two ports in Karpathos, Diafani in the northern part of the island and Pigadia, in the southern part.
Karpathos or Pigadia is the capital of the island and extends to the Mount. Kali Limni foothills.
Parts of the ancient acropolis and the cyclopean walls are to be found at the top of the hill in Karpathos, while the city combines traditional vibes with modern infrastructure.
Diafani port & Tristomo bay
Diafani is located 70 km away from Karpathos capital, can be reached by road or boat, and hosts the second port on the island.
In Diafani the slow pace of life is a fact. Old windmills, colourful houses, artistically decorated streets and calming sea waters, create a peaceful atmosphere in Diafani, a village inhabited since ancient times.
The pebbly beaches of Diafani and Vananda are famous for their clear waters, while in the village there are rooms for rent and fresh fish in the beach taverns of the village.
From here by boat, you can visit the Saria islet, which is located north of Karpathos or Tristomo, a settlement, the most remote village on Karpathos island.
Tristomo and the Tristomo bay form a natural harbour, do not have electricity and water or any other infrastructure and can be reached only by boat or by foot.
You can reach it by following an 8.4 km (approximately 3.5 hours) long ancient path starting from Avlona village.
The Menetes village
Menetes is the largest village of Karpathos, amphitheatrically built at an altitude of 315 meters, 8 km away from Karpathos port.
In Menetes live less than 700 permanent residents and hosts the Folkore Museum of Karpathos, open daily from 09:00 to 13:00.
Menetes has important historical value as its residents resisted the occupation during the historic Karpathian Revolution of October 5, 1944.
Karpathos traditional products
On Karpathos, special varieties of wines are produced such as the Athiri, the Seal, the Karato, the Syringi, the Cretan Thrapsathiri, and the Cycladic donkey.
Each year, on the 3rd of November on the name day of Saint Georgios the Karpathians celebrate the ”new wine” season in wine tasting events and happenings.
Numerous traditional cheese products are produced in Karpathos, as the Karpathians love to accompany their meals with traditionally made ”manouli”, soft cheese, ”armirotiri”, salty, hard cheese, or ”sitaka”, cheese made from goat milk.
The Karpathian honey is pure and well appreciated on the island, as it is used for the making of the famous ”kserotigana” and ”sousamomelo”, Karpathian handmade delicasies.
”Gra” and ”Kopeles” vegetarian pies, ”Makarounes” handmade pasta, and ”Mochopouga” sweets will satisfy your senses.
Beaches on the island
Achata beach on the eastern side of Karpathos is 12 km long covered with fine pebbles, surrounded by lush green mountains and stip cliffs.
On the north coastline of the island located the beach of Agios Minas. A peaceful location offers privacy and relaxing moments away from the crowds.
In Agios Nikolaos pebble beach, at the southern part of Karpathos has two bays, natural shade from the surrounded rocks and crystal clear waters!
Makris Gialos (lit. means long beach) beach on the southeast side of the island and Agrilaopotamos beach on the southwest are the ideal spots for windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP, or paragliding.
Cliffs, mountain slopes, rocky caves, valleys, and forests shape the diverse landforms on Karpathos. A Slow Travel destination ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
How to reach Karpathos?
The ferry routes from Piraeus to Karpathos are 2-3 times a week. The Piraeus to Karpathos ferry duration ranges from 20 to 26 hours, as it makes stops on other islands of the Aegean.
Karpathos is connected with Rhodes, Halki, Anafi, Kasos, Santorini, Milos, Heraklion and Sitia (Crete).
On Karpathos you can move around by the local bus. There are regular bus routes from Pigadia to Ammoopi, Pyles, Aperio, Volada, Othos, Arkasa, Meniti, and Lefko.
More information you can read here.
Karpathos port phone number: + 30 22450 22227 &
e-mail: [email protected].
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