Karpathos

Rich in culture and tradition, and fairly isolated in the south-eastern Aegean, Karpathos is located between Crete and Rhodes and is the second largest of the Dodecanese islands.  The island is mountainous, the two highest peaks being Kalolimus (1,220m. altitude) and Profitis Ilias (1,140m. altitude). The Lastou plateau divides the island in two parts. The southern areas are characterized by small yet fertile plains, while the mountains are covered with pine-forests with many water springs Myrtles, sage plants and thyme cover the Karpathian mountain-slopes, while the southern part of the island is full of lemon, orange and mandarin trees. North of Karpathos lies the islet of Saria, or the "island of goats", as the only inhabitants are wild goats and sheep.

Our Recommended Karpathos Properties

Although Pigadia (Karpathos Town) is a bustling place with cafes and tavernas, the island has not seen mass tourism like its’ neighbours, so visitors here really can escape and experience a taste of the real Greece.  Many historians have identified Karpathos with the ancient harbor of Pitied (alias Posidio). On the left side of the port's entrance stands the rock with the ruins of the ancient Acropoles, while around it, one can admire the traditional houses built by the Greeks influenced by the emigration to the USA. The town's site is Vounos, the Acropoles of ancient Posidio is east of the port, and in the location of Afoti, one can see the ruins of the paleo-christian basilica of Agia Fotini. In the location of Mili, one can admire the cave of Neptune, a monumental tomb.

Olympos (or Elimbos) is the northern most village of Karpathos, situated 63 km northwest of Pigadia. The village was established in the 10th century, its construction was finished in the 15th century and it was the safest refuge on the island during pirate raids due to its inaccessible location. The house with vivid exterior colours and beautifully decorated interiors are built with precision, and every house has a chapel and a mill. The 300 inhabitants are self-supported, and they maintain the customs of their daily life. They always wear traditional dress, while the local dialect is characterised by Doric idioms. The "Live Museum" of Olimbos includes the ancient Vrikous (5th century BC), the church of the Virgin Mary (16th century) and the chapels of Panagia Chrissovalandos, Agios Onoufrios and Agia Triada.

Beaches on Karpathos can be divided into roughly 4 groups – those on the east coast are shingle and sometimes can be fairly small.  The southern beaches are a fine white sand.  Western coast sandy beaches can be fairly exposed to the Meltemi winds, and northern beaches are somewhat more inaccessible – some only by boat or jeep.

With the mountains of Karpathos reaching over 1200m, and some lovely forested areas and the excellent beaches, the island offers some of the most dramatic scenery of the Greek islands.