Karpathos

© Text & pictures: Janne Eklund/Kalimera

The majestic Karpathos is one of the most beautiful and exciting places in the island world. The rumour of this amazing island has spread like a wildfire during the later years - and not a single visitor will be disappointed. Nice beaches, dreamy nature and nice mountain villages are the most attractive traits of Karpathos. Not to speak of the unique mountain village of Olymbos, which many Greeks regard as one of the villages most worth seeing in the entire country.

I personally rank Karpathos as one of the top Greek islands, together with Amorgos, Sifnos, Skopelos and Tilos. For a long time I avoided the island. I don't anymore. I am stuck - just as so many of the Kalimera-readers. Few islands have such fanatic fans, the motto seems to be: Once Karpathos, always Karpathos.

For many people the island equals lazy days on one of the nice beaches. For others the most important quality of this place is the nature, there are for example many tracks to walk here, though there are no spectacular sights.

Getting there
You can fly directly to Karpathos or to Rhodes, from where you go by domestic flight or a boat. There is no airport bus, so pre-order a taxi if you are not travelling with a charter company. Phone number to taxi: 6972039749 or 6972885720.

Getting around
A vehicle will get you to all villages and to most of the beaches on the island. Car and motor-bike rental outlets are found in Pigadia, Amopi and Lefkos (you pass the motor-bike place just before you reach Lefkos). The local bus makes stops at every village (except Olymbos) and some of the most popular beaches.

Villages
One of the reasons I like Karpathos so much is all the nice villages. Olymbos would have been good enough, but the island has many more interesting villages like Mesochori, Othos and Aperi. Information about more villages in The Kalimera Guide (In Swedish only).

Pigadia
Pigadia is the capital and largest port of Karpathos (there are only two ports, the other is called Diafani). From an architectural point of view the town is quite dull compared to many other Greek villages and towns. But you are compensated by the relatively rich Greek everyday life. Pigadia is the main tourist resort on the island and its main place is the harbour promenade. Here you will find everything from traditional ouzerias to tavernas with menus adapted to tourists. Many taverns, ouzerias and cafés lie along the Pigadia main street and in the alleys around the harbour promenade.

The almost four kilometre long Pigadia beach consists of pebbles mixed with sand. Although most of the tourists stay at the start of the beach, near the town, it does get better the further on you go. Pelagos, the popular musical taverna, lies along the way to the beach, this place is a must for anyone who enjoys Greek music and dancing.

Amopi
Amopi, the second big tourist resort on Karpathos, attracts many sun- and bathing enthusiasts. There are several nice beaches and a considerable amount of tavernas here. Lots of charter travellers stay in Amopi because it is close to Pigadia.

Lefkos
Until the tourists discovered Karpathos Lefkos was a small picturesque fishing village. Today the fishermen are a minority and the tourists have taken over almost entirely. Still it has kept some of its picturesque touch, mainly because the village is so small. The beaches are nice and there are enough tavernas to keep you from getting bored.

Olymbos
This unique place is regarded as one of the villages most worth seeing in all of Greece, mainly due to the dramatic location. Olymbos is sometimes called a living folklore museum, and in some respects this is true, for example many women still wear traditional clothes.
But Olymbos is also a tourist trap. Many will be disappointed to see that the narrow main street is full of salesmen trying to sell you the same crap that is found in the souvenir shops. The trick is to diverge from the main street and just stroll around aimlessly in the labyrinthine alleys and then a new world will open as you transgress into another time.

The dirt road to Olymbos is in terrible condition and in parts highly dangerous. It is being broaden and given an asphalt surface, supposedly the work is done in the summer of 2007. Every morning organised tours (boat and bus) leave for Olymbos from the port of Pigadia.

Beaches
Around the island there are several beaches and bathing-bays of diverse quality. The beach in Pigadia is one of the most popular on the island, as well as the beaches in Amopi and Lefkos.

Achata
This is a small beach north of Pigadia with incredibly beautiful surroundings. The beach is made out of shingle mixed with pebbles. There is one taverna. The easiest way for you to get here is to get on the bathing-boat that leaves from Pigadia.

Kyra Panagia
Kyra panagia is a popular beach with several tavernas and a couple of hotels. Sand is mixed with pebbles. Among the rocks, to the left by the bathing-boat docks, there is a nice place to snorkel. On the opposite side lies the church which has given the beach its name. To get here you take the bathing boat from Pigadia.

Apela
Apela is the nicest beach on Karpathos and one of the most beautiful locations in all of Greece. The near by mountains are decorated with trees that crawl all the way down to the white sand where it is met by crystal clear dark blue water. A drem beach. As the icing on the cake there is a tavern with a dynamite location right above the beach. Bathing boat leaves from Pigadia.

Sights
Olymbos is a must. Apart from that there are no especially interesting sights. There are some roman water cisterns above Lefkos and remains of an old church by the Pigadia beach, but it is not that much to see. Instead of historical sights Karpathos offer nice villages, beautiful nature and super beaches. What else do you need? An artist/musician perhaps? When in Othos you have to visit the artist and musician mr. Hapsis. In his small gallery he exhibits his own paintings with motifs from Karpathos. When he is not in the gallery he is surely in the little folklore museum in the village where he guides the tourist - accompanied by his own music. Do not miss!

Accomodation
The majority of all visitors travel to Karpathos by charter, then you can choose from living in Pigadia, Ammopi or Lefkos. If you travel independently you can stay at practically any village you like, there are numerous options. Many who travel the Greek islands choose to stay in Pigadia where there are many options, others choose Amopi from where it is close to Pigadia. There are also nice alternatives in Lefkos - if you seek peace and quiet and closeness to nice beaches this is the place to stay.

If you come to Karpathos by boat, people who offer rooms for hire will usually greet you. If this for some reason does not happen you can walk up the street that starts by the fountain in the harbour, continue to the taxi square above which there are many pensions. If you arrive by flight just take a cab to the taxi square. It is relatively simple to find a room on your own, unless it is high season. Below is some good places to stay. In swedish only.

Lefkos

Lefkos

Pigadia

Pigadia

Lefkos Studios »

Nikos Studios »

Amarylis Hotel »

Elias Rooms »

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© 1997 - 2006 Janne Eklund / KALIMERA