Hotels in Karpathos

Karpathos: Dodecanese Island Between Rhodes and Crete

Karpathos sits in the southeastern Aegean Sea, roughly 50 km southwest of Rhodes and 100 km northeast of Crete. At 301 sq km it is the second-largest island in the Dodecanese chain. The north and south halves feel almost separate: the south holds the main port town of Pigadia and sandy beaches like Ammopi and Kyra Panagia, while the north — accessible by boat or rough mountain road — shelters Olympos, a hillside village where residents still speak a dialect with ancient Greek traces and wear traditional dress daily.

Windsurfers target Afiarti Bay in the far south, rated among the Aegean's strongest thermal wind corridors. Hikers follow the E4 European path across the mountainous spine, where the peak Kali Limni reaches 1,215 m. Cultural visitors arrive for the Panagia festival on 15 August, one of Greece's most preserved local celebrations, held in Olympos with live lyra music and communal feasting.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Karpathos Airport (AOK) receives direct charter flights from several European cities from May to October; scheduled flights connect via Athens year-round.
• Getting around: Renting a 4×4 is advisable for reaching northern villages; paved roads end before Olympos.
• Best season: May–June and September offer calmer winds than July–August, which suits beach seekers more than windsurfers.
• Currency: Euro (€); ATMs are available in Pigadia but scarce in northern villages.