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 large, rugged, and still authentically Greek in a way that's hard to find in the Cyclades. The southern part has excellent beaches and good infrastructure; the northern village of Olympos is a remarkable time capsule where women still wear traditional dress and speak a dialect closer to ancient Greek than modern. Afiarti bay is a world-class windsurfing destination.
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.