Dodecanese
Karpathos
World-class windsurfing, wild beaches, and a northern village frozen in time.
Getting around
Car recommended
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Quiet
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Flight or ferry
In pictures
Karpathos
Karpathos is long, rugged, and resolutely authentic in a way that is increasingly difficult to find in the islands. The southern half has good tourist infrastructure, excellent beaches (Apella is outstanding — a natural amphitheatre of white pebbles and vivid blue water), and the world-class windsurfing conditions of Afiarti Bay, which draws competitors from across Europe. But it is the north that is truly extraordinary: the village of Olympos, perched on a ridge accessible only by boat or a notoriously difficult mountain road, is a living record of island life as it was practiced for centuries. Women dress in traditional embroidered costume for daily life, not for visitors. They bake bread in communal wood-fired ovens. They speak a dialect that preserves features of ancient Greek long lost elsewhere. Visiting Olympos feels less like tourism and more like arriving somewhere the modern world simply forgot to follow.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
The northern village of Olympos is only accessible by boat or a very rough road. Two very different halves to the island.
Hidden gem
Time your trip with an Olympos wedding or feast day — traditional dress, music, and a culture seen nowhere else in Greece.
Where it sits
Dodecanese, Greece
Karpathos — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Karpathos? +
- The best months to visit Karpathos are May to October. It's calm and uncrowded most of the year, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Karpathos from Athens? +
- Karpathos has an airport, so you can fly direct from Athens in under an hour or take the ferry.
- Is Karpathos good for couples? +
- Karpathos is a charming pick for couples, especially shoulder season.
- Is Karpathos good for families with kids? +
- Karpathos is a solid family option, though you'll want a car for the best beaches.
- Is Karpathos expensive? +
- Karpathos is affordable by Greek-island standards.
- Do you need a car on Karpathos? +
- You'll want a rental car on Karpathos — distances are longer and the best beaches are spread out.
- What's the catch with Karpathos? +
- The northern village of Olympos is only accessible by boat or a very rough road. Two very different halves to the island.