Karpathos
A traditional Greek Island
Karpathos, (Carpathos)
Is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands in the south eastern Aegean Sea, and it lies halfway between Rhodes and Crete. Karpathos originally had only four villages, one of these was on the now uninhabited Island of Saria.
Separated by a 100 meter wide strait in the north of Karpathos lies Saria, a rocky, volcanic island, uninhabited. Boat tours to Saria from Pigada and Diafani. Kassos Island to the south-east of Karpathos, is the southernmost island of the Dodecanese. Approximately 1 hour boat tour from Pigada.
Karpathos Island, has high mountains sloping down to wonderful beaches, turquoise waters, unspoiled scenery, traditional villages, and rich history making this island an ideal destination to fill your holidays with joy.
Karpathos
A Traditional Greek Island
Traditional dress, customs, music and dialect
Many women still wear the traditional dress while men harvest their crops with scythes. Men and women sit separately at village festivals, where musicians play the bagpipes and Lyra a plucked string instrument associated with ancient Greece. and Doric dialect. Doric or Dorian was an Ancient Greek Dialect
Pigadia (Locally known as Karpathos)
is the capital of the island
Pigadia is also one of the two ports on Karpathos, and is located on the south east coast, 17 km from the airport.
In 1892 the Turkish Governor made Pigadia the capital of the island. Karpathos finally joined the Greek State, together with the other Dodecanese Islands, in May 1948.
Pigada’s main assets are the port setting, numerous tavernas, coffee houses, shops, car hire and motorbike rentals. Unlike many other island capitals, it lacks a historical heart. Looking down over the town the Archaeological Museum of Karpathos
The popular town beach area covers more than a 3 km long sandy beach that runs north out of town and here you will find Karpathos Diving Center.
High season boats (caiques) also organise tours to several beaches ending up at the best Apella.
Sleeping in Pigadia
CHC Sound of the Sea Hotel, 4 star, Studio Sea View, family Room 2 Bedrooms, Maisonette Sea View and Cottage Maisonette Style, Studios and apartments, satellite TV, air conditioning and a seating area. Ktchenette with a refrigerator and kitchenware. Shower, private bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries. At CHC Sound of the Sea you will find a tennis court an outdoor pool and a spa and wellness centre, 350 metres from the closest beach and less than 700 meters to the port.
Nisia Apartments 25 first-class apartments, is situated just a few meters from the Karpathos port and within walking distance from the beach. Public parking is possible at a location nearby for free. Wi-Fi available in the entire hotel for free. Flat screen TV. Basic Cookware/ Kitchen utensils, kettle.
Amarylis Hotel 10 furnished studios and 6 furnished apartments, each with a private bathroom with shower and a balcony. 9 studios and apartments have a view to the Karpathian sea and villages. Each studios and apartments has a kitchenette with a fridge and cooking hobs. Some units feature a seating area. All beds are fitted with orthopaedic mattresses. Free Wi-Fi.
All the above hotels (in no particular order) can be Book direct or you can find them and more alternatives on
Boat tours from Pigadia that stops at Diafani
Taxi boat Chrisovalantou III, based in Pigadia travel up the coast to stop at Diafani jetty, combine boat and bus tour to Olympos, or boat tour to the island of Saria,
Boat tours with Kapetan Nikolas Karpathos from Pigadia to Diafani jetty a short stop for bus tour to Olympos and they also sail to the island of Saria.
Diafani village and port
Diafani is located in the northern part of the island, still remains the principal means of travelling between the two parts of the island, (Pigadia in the south). Diafani largely owes its survival to the package tourists en route to explore the famous mountain village of Olymbos.
Diafani is a quiet village. There are coffehouses, tavernas and local shops. Accommodation available.
Olymbos (Olympos), the most photogenic village
restored windmills. Olympos “sits” on a steep ridge and the village is famous for retaining a traditional village lifestyle.
Here life has not changed very much, women are still dressed in their local costumes, (tourism benefit more today) even use ancient Hellenic words.
Olympos is located in the north west of the island.
More mountain villages to discover
Aperi Village,
the former capital, still home to the island’s cathedral.
Expansive holiday homes built by US emigres. The road climbs to the less spoilt Volada a white washed village. But at more than 300m up, there’s still a mountain village atmosphere.
Orthos is the next village.
At 520 m is the highest village on the island. Othos is one of the ten towns on the island of Karpathos and it is the sixth on the island with a population under 300 residents,
It’s located 12 kilometres outside Pigadia. Othos is frequented daily by a bus from Pigadia. It has two bars and a small folklore museum. Workshop gallery link to Lyra exhibition, Othos Village Karpathos
Some great beaches
Amoppi (Amoopi, Ammopi) Resort
Located south of Pigada, is the main resort on Karpathos. Three sandy beaches (Ammopi, Big Ammopi and Little Ammopi beach).
It is a growing resort area with accommodation, tavernas and Coffee Houses. Local Caiques also run from the beach to small quieter coves.
The vast number of beaches, offer variety and stunning beauty. The more popular and easily accessible beaches of Apella (some say its the best beach on the island),Kyra Panagia, Achata, all three beaches located north of Pigada, great for families, fully serviced beaches with beach beds, umbrellas and tavernas.
Afiartis beach
located south of Pirgada is good for windsurfing
The wind conditions and shallow waters at “chicken bay” are perfect for learning and to improve your windsurfing skills. Balia or “Gun Bay” is the largest bay which develops a wind-wave of up to one meter which offers great bump and jump conditions and in general is a superb slalom and free-ride area. Batha, which is now known on an international scale as “Devil's Bay”, is the bay with the strongest wind but also combines this with flat water and has therefore become the site of four speed-surfing World Championships. This bay is also great for freestyle and slalom too. Most text Afiartis windsurfing by Punta Mare Hotel, Afiartis .
Windsurfing, biking, climbing on offer by Ion Club Karpathos
Lefkos
Lefkos on the south west coast, over 30 km from/to Pigada. The beach resort, lies 2 km down the road, off the coastal main road. Ideal for families, full service facilities such as tavernas and beach loungers with umbrellas,
Studios, apartments at Le Grand Blue is a good stay
Boat tours to nearby
Saria and Kassos Islands
Saria Island
Saria, is a small rocky, volcanic island uninhabited. Saria is separated from Karpathos with just 100 meters of the sea. Some nice beaches, good for walking.
Boat(s) from Diafani.
Kassos (Kasos) Island
the southernmost island of the Dodecanese. Mountainous landscape with a steep rocky coastline and a few beaches. Kassos capital and port is Fry, (image).
From Pigadia, Karpathos there is a ferry connection of 1 hour.
Getting Around Karpathos
Local bus service excellent information by Karpathos Info. Pagadia is the local bus hub. A schedule is posted at the main bus terminal as well as the tourist info kiosk in Pigadia,
Pegasus Motorbike Rentals in Pigadia. At present no web site. Phone +30 2245 022561
Taxi Station/rank in Pigadia. At present no web site. Phone +30 2245 022705