Karpathos Voyage Tips and guide

Karpathos (Greek: Κάρπαθος) is an island in the Dodecanese. It is situated between the islands of Rhodes and Crete.

35°33′36″N 27°8′31″E

Map of Karpathos

• 35.76666727.1833331 Avlona (Αυλώνα)
• 35.73333327.1833332 Olympos (Όλυμπος)
• Diafani

• Lefkos
• Mesochori
• Spoa

• 35.50679827.2114933 Pigadia (Πηγάδια) – also known as Karpathos is the main town and port, in the east coast.
• 35.54926427.1701144 Aperi (Απέρι) – in the mainland, isolated village.
• 35.47785327.1207695 Arkasa (Αρκάσα) – on the western coast, lies on the site of an ancient city.

• 35.49087327.1667916 Menetes (Μενετες)

• 35.8727.221 Saria (Σaρία)
• 35.426.9166672 Kasos (Kασος)

Greek is the native language of the people of Karpathos. However, most people also speak passable English and many speak German or other European languages.

Karpathos is accessible via ferry from Athens (Piraeus), Kasos, Crete, and Rhodes.

Passenger flights are served by Karpathos National Airport (AOK), which is approximately 15 km south of Pigadia near the southern tip of the island. SkyExpress and Olympic are the main domestic carriers, offering multiple daily flights to Athens as well as frequent service to nearby Rhodes and Kasos during the peak season.

The most common route to Karpathos for international travellers is to connect through Athens. Historically, this was often the only way to fly in, however direct flights to the island are now seasonally available from several Western European cities (e.g. Milan, Amsterdam, Vienna).

Public buses operate throughout the islands.

There are taxis available until 02:00, then only one or two.

Getting around by car is probably the most convenient way to explore Karpathos. Vehicle rental services are available both at the airport as well as in the town of Pigadia. Recognizable vendors include Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, and Europcar, in addition to a selection of local firms based on the island.

All of the main villages and beaches, as well as the airport and ferry ports, are accessible by a network of good quality asphalt roads. Beginning from the airport, the main routes consist of two paved roads which run north-south along each of the island's coastlines. The eastern road heads towards Aperi via Pigadia (Karpathos), while the western road runs to Lefkos via Arkasa and Finiki. Both roads then continue north before reconvening just south of Spoa, and then onward as a single route to Olympos before ending at the ferry port of Diafani. The two coastal roads are joined by a paved connection to the central villages of Pyles, Othos, and Volada, with other branches also serving Menetes, Ammopi, and most of the popular beaches. Blue road signs will indicate the turnoffs for these destinations.

Deviating from the principal routes, expect to find mostly unpaved roads whose quality can vary significantly. Inquire locally before heading out, keeping in mind the capabilities of your vehicle and current conditions.

For fuel, there are several filling stations on the southern half of the island, although expect to pay a premium compared to prices on the European mainland. There are no filling stations operating north of Aperi, as of 2025.

Motorbikes and mopeds are popular alternatives to cars. Especially mopeds are frequently used by local youths and can go to many places that cars cannot go - for example the twisted narrow streets of Pigadia. An additional advantage is that they are cheap to rent - €10-15 a day is the usual price.

If you start a day-trip with a moped, make you sure you do so on a full tank, as gas stations are sometimes hard to find. An extra stop at a gas station can save a lot of nerves. When renting a moped, check if the profile of the tyres is ok and if the brakes work properly. If it is the last vehicle in store, be suspicious: it could be the one that needs a repair badly. Though helmets are not required on the streets, it might be a good idea to ask your rent-a-bike for one, especially if you intend to drive on streets with more traffic.

Be careful when driving to places like Olympos, it can be very windy in open spaces/roads.

• The villages: Avlona, Menetes, Olymbos, Aperi and Pyles. The islands: Saria and Kasos.
• 15 August: 3 days celebration in Menetes.
• Karpathian weddings.
• Karpathian Easter in Menetes village.

• Sunbathing
• Swimming
• Scuba diving
• Windsurfing. Karpathos is one of the best destinations for windsurfers in Greece. Beginners can take lessons in Chicken Bay, other spots will satisfy more advanced riders.

There is a good variety of beaches on Karpathos. The south-west side of the island has sandy beaches with calm waters. The wind mostly comes in from the west and also the sea tends to be somewhat rougher to the west.

• Amopi 5 km from the town is the most popular and friendly place for all in karpathos island have 5 beaches where you can find everything from the party beach, the family beach, the quiet beach next to you. There are taveras, markets, bus every hour or so, and taxi station. The prices for one umbrella and 2 chairs is €6 per day, the prices in tavernas are logical, all the beaches are free for all, and the beaches are Mikri (small) and Megal (large). Votsalakia beach in front of votsalakia beach hotel, Kastelia in front of Aegean village hotel, Maounas in front of Kastelia bay hotel.
• Afiartis , 15 km from the town is a very good place for wind surfing.

• Achata beach 15 km from town, further to the North, is a pebble beach ith deep waters.

• Kyra Panaya beach 12 km from town, named after Madonna, is situated between rocks capes. To swim in its deep waters demands caution.

• Apella 20 km from town.
• Agios Mynas beach 20 km from town in the north of Karpathos, although isolated, has become more and more popular, however the prices of restaurants and chartering of deckchair and beach umbrellas have risen a lot. If heading by vehicle, be prepared to negotiate an unpaved and extremely narrow single-track that will test the limits of your driving abilities (and fear of heights). Even by Karpathian standards, the poor quality of this road makes travel particularly dangerous. If you must make the trip by car, opt for the road closest to Olympos (the second turnoff when heading from Spoa) as conditions are slightly more favourable. Better yet, arrange for a beach excursion via boat instead.
• Arkasa is a well-organized beach in Arkasa southwest of Pigadia. It is one of the best beaches of the island with sandy beach with nice white sand and shallow sea while it is very popular because of big wave. Exercise additional caution when swimming at Arkasa; drownings at this beach are an annual occurrence. There are sunbeds, umbrellas, and showers.

• Lefkos is on the east coast 25 km from the town.

• Jewelry stores are common in the island.
• Colorful sea shells are a popular souvenir item.
• Many brand name products for sale in the tourist shops. In Karpathos tax is only 6%.
• Locally made olive oil, sweets, honey, handmade boots, etc.

You can eat local food like makarounes and other plates in many tavernas and restaurants, but it is not all original recipes.

• KarPassion Beach Bar (on the sand at St. Nicholas Beach in the village of Arkasa). Great place to eat a salad or sandwich in between swimming and sun bathing! 

The tap water is drinkable and restaurants will serve glasses of ice water upon request. Local drinks include Mythos (beer) and Ouzo. The prices for alcohol are low.

• Afiartis 2 (New Sofia Studios), Afiartis, ☏ +30 22450 91108, fax: +30 22450 23140. A friendly complex of holiday apartments. 
• Alkioni Hotel, Finiki (near Arkassa village, SW on the island of Karpathos), ☏ +30 22450 61070, fax: +30 22450 61266. At Finiki village. 
• Arkasa Palace Villas, Arkasa, ☏ +30 2245061249, fax: +30 2245061249. Traditional Greek hospitality combined with calm, relaxed atmosphere in an elegant setting. 
• Helios Hotel, Lakki, Ammopi (next to the beach of Ammoopi), ☏ +30 22450 81148, fax: +30 22450 81171. 
• Kyra Panagia Hotel, Kyra Panagia, ☏ +30 2245 023026. A nice hotel in Kyra Panagia beach. 
• Luxurious Arkasa Bay, Arkasa, ☏ +30 2245061410. 4-star hotel with sea and sunset views. 

Karpathos is a generally safe destination.