The 10 things to do in Karpathos

A desire for beautiful landscapes, without any tourists? Come and visit Karpathos, this Greek island with a thousand secrets!

Karpathos is located between Rhodes and Crete at the meeting between the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Not known to the French, this island of Dodecanese has an area of 300 km2. Combining sea and mountain, culture and nature, visiting Kharpathos is essential because this destination has everything to seduce travelers in search of authenticity and calm.

Still preserved from mass tourism, this island is an opportunity to meet its inhabitants, welcoming and generous, who can make you discover the centuries-old traditions of the archipelago.

The athletes won't stay. The conditions offered by Karpathos are indeed optimal for surfing or windsurfing, and the landscapes invite you to hike.

Ready for a total disbursement only a few hours aeroplane? Discover the 10 essential things to do in Karpathos!

1. Relaxing bath

Visiting Karpathos without bathing in the blue waters of the Aegean Sea or the Mediterranean Sea would be a fill! Discover the sublime creek of Apella Beach from the north of Karpathos and immerse yourself in its turquoise waters.

Still north, is the beach of Spoa, better known as Agios Nikolaos. Damatria Beach and Kira Panagia Beach are located south of the island. The last is famous because dominated by the small church with a red dome, which is seen on many photos.

Experience a swim on the island of Saria, separated by a simple sea arm north of Karpathos.

In Lefkos, port of Mesochori, you will have the choice between six beaches with radically different atmospheres. Sometimes difficult to reach by road, it is quite possible to reach the different beaches of Karpathos by boat, from the ports of Pigadia or Diafani.

2. Water sports in gogo

What to do in Karpathos? Sport! If the island is of a calm olympian when you sink into the mountains and leave to the assault of small remote villages, it is especially agitated if you approach certain coasts.

For example, the village of Afiartis is one of the most famous spots for windsurfers and surf lovers. Surfers and kite-surfers will also find their happiness in Karpathos.

If you want to scuba diving, turn to the center located in Pigadia.

3. A boat ride

You have toured all the beaches mentioned above and would like to discover the island otherwise? No worries, another must-see from Karpathos awaits you: the boat ride!

Indeed, going to the discovery of Karpathos by boat is a step that you should not miss under any pretext... Rent a boat on this beautiful island promises a day full of softness and sublime views!

Thus, with or without a permit, with the help of a skipper or not, you will undoubtedly spend one of the most soothing afternoons of your stay!

4. Hiking

To make it to Karpathos, the possibilities are endless. If you stay in the vicinity of Diafani, you will have the choice between four loops.

The first passes through the coastal path, towards the beach of Papa Mina. Count around two hours round-trip. If you are heading north, another loop can lead you to Vananda Beach. Count an hour back.

The bravest can continue the road after the beach, in the direction of Trismoto. In this case, know that you leave for a one-day loop and about thirty kilometers back.

A final loop of twenty kilometers makes you pass through the village of Avlona, before you drive to the ruins of the bay of Vroukounta. You can also swim there.

5. the typical villages

You can’t visit Karpathos without adventure in one of its villages where time seems to have stopped.

Fly in the port of Pigadia (Karpathos) or Diafani, enjoy a fish dish in the port of Finiki, admire the sunset from Menetes or discover local crafts and traditions in Olympos, the pearl of Karpathos.

If you cross Aperi, go to search for multiple fountains and contemplate patrician houses.

Take an assault on Othos, the highest perched village on the island, and visit its laographical museum. In Spoa, you will reach the northern tip of Karpathos.

6. Local specialties

What to do in Karpathos? Disguise one of these dishes whose Greeks have the secret! Taste it stifado on the occasion of the celebration held on 15 August in Menetes. It is a meat and rice dish.

Let yourself also be tempted by fresh cheeses or by the makarounes , these strange but succulent gnocchis covered with caramelized onions.

7. Olympos windmills

If it is uncommon for a Frenchman to cross windmills, these are quite common in Greece. If it’s a must-see thing to do in Karpathos, it’s about Olympos’s visit.

The village, located west of the northern tip of the island, is an open-air exhibition of these singular monuments. You will also find other mills in the village of Mesochori.

8. The church of Agia Anna in Olympos

After you are let go by the rhythm of the windmills, if the weather conditions were of course at the rendezvous, discover the church of Agia Anna.

This amazing religious building is decorated with surprising murals from the 13th century, featuring fish and birds.

9. The sunset in Mesochori

Mesochori is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful villages on the island. It is also of interest to offer an incredible view of the Aegean Sea from the western coast of Karpathos.

Visit the church of the 16th century, located on the heights of the village. It is an unmissable spot to admire the sunset.

If you also feed the secret hope of getting married to a Karpathiote, drink a few drops of water of sacred source that is torn at the foot of the church. The woman who would drink this magical drink would then be promised to a resident of the island!

Visiting Karpathos is also a body with local traditions!

10. The island of Kassos

This island is completely rocky, almost lunar. When you lay the foot on the rock, point of inhabitant, point of house, point of trees. What will you tell me? Start by strolling through the traditional port of Fry, located north of the island.

If you get away from the harbour towards the west of the island, you will find a fine sandy beach, surrounded by mountains, where you can swim.

You will only have a few hours in front of you, between the two shuttles, so enjoy it, without too much to bet!

How to go to Karpathos?

By plane

Via Athens

To spend a few days visiting Karpathos, the fastest is undoubtedly the plane trip. However, you will need to plan a inevitable change Athens. You will usually have the choice between four or five daily flights to go from Paris Athens.

The rates offered by the various companies (Air France, Transavia, Aegean) are substantially similar. Flight Comparers, such as Skyscanner , however, can help you find the cheapest tickets.

With regard to the flight Athens-Karpathos, consider paying attention to the transport day you choose. There exists no daily flight to Karpathos from the Greek capital.

Karpathos Airport is then located less than 20 kilometres southwest of the main port of the island, which is also its “capital”. Taxis can take you from the airport to the city centre of Karpathos. However, no shuttle system is in place.

Via la Crete

There are direct flights from Paris to Heraklion . Count about four hours journey with Transavia. You can then reach Karpathos by plane, but flights are not daily.

Via Rhodes

If you have planned to make a stopover in Rhodes, before you go to Karpathos, know that you can find inter-island flights, but the choices are however limited to date.

By boat from Piraeus, Crete and Rhodes

To get to Karpathos from the port of Piraeus, you should know that only two companies connect with this outdated island. This is Blue Star Ferries and Anek Lines. The first one offers a trip per week and the second two.

The journey lasts more than twenty hours . The flight to Athens-Karpathos is therefore much faster. Turn to maritime link comparisons such as Direct Ferries to know the lowest rates.

If you leave Heraklion, the company Anek Lines offers two connections per week. The journey lasts more than eight hours . Since Rhodes, there are more crossings: three weekly links with Blue Star Ferries and three also with Anek Lines. Count 3h40 journey with the first company and almost six with the second.

How to move on the island?

Visiting Karpathos is not given to everyone. Eloigned with traditional tourist circuits, the island deserves. ♪ car rentals are rare or even non-existent . It is therefore best to move on foot, by bicycle or by taxi.

These denarii are easily located across the island. Finally, you can ferry between Pigadia and Diafani. These ports also serve the different beaches of the island.

Links are also planned to the islands of Kassos and Saria.

Where to stay in Karpathos?

Karpathos is a medium-sized island that you can discover by radiant to the day from Karpathos or by operating itinerantly. It is pleasant to visit Karpathos by staying in the neighborhood of port of Pigadia , located south west of the island or in that of Diafani .

You can also choose to put your suitcases to Lakki , Acesine or Finiki , in the south of the island.

Northerly, opt for Kato Lefkos , Kira Panagia or Aperi located more in the land. Whatever your choice, think about looking for the best rates on this Compare hotels .

You now know how to organize your stay and how to visit Karpathos as it should be!