Accommodations - The Federation of Dodecanese Islands Tourist Family Accommodation in Greece - Appartments, Rooms, Pensions, Hostels, Hotels, Studios, Villas, Accommodation

Karpathos • MUNICIPALITY OF KARPATHOS

Karpathos is the second largest island in the Dodekanese – after Rhodes. It is situated between Crete and Rhodes, in the “Karpathian Sea”. The location of the island is strategic since it is the natural bridge which unites Crete with Asia Minor.

In aspect of geomorphology, Karpathos and Saria - the small island north of Karpathos - are two of the most gifted Greek islands. Calcareous rock beds define its morphological character. Over the rock beds of limestones lie more recent beds of stones such as plaster and others.

The variety of scenery of the island is unique. The transition from scenery to another and the changes of colours and shapes are frequent and unexpected and never make the visitor feel boredom or monotony. In contrary, high and steep mountains (Lastos, 1215 m. high –the highest in the Dodekanese) compose unique scenery.

On the mountains one will see steep dingles, dashing streams, deep caves with stalactites, green valleys with crystal clear waters which spread their melody and breeze everywhere.
Moreover, one can find himself in mountain sides, full of pinetrees which are spread allover reaching golden and sandy beaches.

The beaches of Karpathos are something the visitor cannot find in many islands of Greece: virgin beaches with crystal clear waters, with sand or tiny pebbles, which have remained untouched by human activity.

Variety, contrast and harmony compose fascinating scenery and an unforgettable destination. Rightly Karpathos is characterized as one of the most beautiful islands of Greece

Choose the Area you want to continue

AFIARTIS

AMMOOPI

It is found half way from the airport on the way to Pigadia (roughly 6Km away), and also 6 Km from the nearest village of Menetes.

Asphalt motorway connects Amoopi with the all villages of Karpathos. Public buses and taxis serve daily the Ammoopi region.

The endless view with the open horizon, the crystal beaches, the brilliant light of the sun, the dry climate, the cool wind with zero humidity compose magic and a dream of the Aegean island.

Ammoopi has excellent hotels and appartments, spaciously rooms for rent, taverns, restaurants, offices for renting cars and motorbikes and all the facilities of communication and transport.

The beaches of Ammoopi unfold and extent for roughly six kilometres from "Pouliou to potami beach" up to the "Fokia beach".
In a small distance beyond are in offer the immense beaches of Afiartis, ideal for sea sports, wind-surfing and other enjoyments and activities.

APERI

When dangers from sea eliminated, the capital of the island was moved from Aperi - which could not be seen from the sea - to Pigadia which was situated on the seaside.

But nobility from those times still remained...

And Aperi is the seat - the smallest in Greece - of the Archbishop of Karpathos and Kasos.

Although the majority of the inhabitants of the village have migrated - mainly to the United States – it is remarkable how the people have maintained their houses according to tradition.

Nothing seems abandoned or deserted although most people don't live in the village all year round. On the contrary.

A picturesque village lays on the green hillsides.

Aperi village includes the seasonal settlements of Achata and Kyra Panagia, two from the knownest pictures of Karpathos worldwide.

ARKASA

Arkasa, one of the developing tourist centres of Karpathos, lives a modern life together with very old memories.

In Palaiokastro - that so much bravely stands against all the sea waves of the Karpathian sea - people already live from the prehistoric times.

And appears that they have never left.

This can be testified by the later monuments, as the mosaics of Saint Anastasia of 5th century and the church of Saint Sofia.
Thus they reached today having their houses, next to the sea, and between their own gardens.

Further, in the region of Arkasas belongs also a marine neighborhood, the small fishermans village... Finiki.

DIAFANI

The traces of Minoan settlement in the Cove of Cambi Bay, the ruins of Hellenistic public baths in the Loutro (bath) site and the nameplace Palaia (ancient) are signs that the Diafani site has been chosen for settlement since the ancient times.

Because of the Arabic raids, the inhabitants of the region were also forced to abandon their homes and take refuge in the mountainous and hard-to-access nearby Olymbos which maintained a castle around the central and highest part of the village.

In the end of the 19th century, when the sailing boats of the pirates were forced out by engine-powered battleships, the inhabitants of the castle in Olymbos took heart and moved down to settlements by the sea, just as the inhabitants of Korαki (village of Aperi) moved down to Pigαdia (officially recently renamed "Kαrpathos" and capital city of the island) during the same era.

The reason for moving to Diafαni is certainly not the fact that there was an ancient settlement there. The main reason was that the bay would serve the needs of the people who had to go to Saria to cultivate their lands or establish trade with the surrounding islands.
The bay is the least exposed to wind and high waves and the closest one to both, Olymbos and Saria.

Diafani has experienced a dramatic development especially since after World War II.

KIRA PANAGIA

LAKI

LAKI MENETON

Built as an eagle nest, in the rocks Menetes enjoy the view to the bight of "Vrondis", where Pigadia are located.

“Tradition wants the rock where Menetes is built to be the Titan Menoitios him self, son of Iapetos who Jupiter through a thunder and turned him into rock".

The medieval origin of the village, has left heritage narrow white streets, traditional houses, unique architecture, small tradirional taverns and traditional cafes.

The houses, in pure white, go down the hill side and stop in the public street. Some of these houses pass the street on the other side towards the flat side of the rock, up to the historical and miraculous church of Virgin Mary that is placed on the top.

In the village survives a rich tradition of popular Karpathian instrumentalists.

LEFKOS

The bright green valley of Lefkos, with pine and olive trees, leads to indented shores with deep blue waters. It is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful spots of Karpathos. It is an ideal place for your summer escape.

You will certainly love hiking, exploring the archaeological sites of the area, riding a bicycle and spending the evenings by the sea eating fresh fish and drinking ouzo.

Those of you who enjoy fishing with a harpoon, welcome to paradise!

MESOCHORI

Mesochori is situated in the middle of the island and in order to get there you follow one of the most beautiful routes through a dense pinewood forest.

Mesochori Is an incredibly figurative town, with a lot of nice people. One of the best experiences we had on the island, was one evening in Messochori with a delicious meal, while watching one of the nicest sunset's we've seen.

In Messochori you'll find some taverns, and a couple of small supermarkets. There is also a great church in the town, and if you take the stairs "under the church" you will find
a natural spring . There is a saying about this spring that says if a woman drink from this, then she will be married with a local man from the island.

An amazingly beautiful landscape and a traditional settlement where cars are allowed only until the edge of the village.
In the narrow alleys with the whitewashed steps, no other sound will interrupt the serenity and tranquility of the visitors but that of carefree children playing there.

Panagia Vrissiani, built on a fountain of cool, crystal clear water, and Skopi, the village square with the unique view of green gardens and the infinite blue of the Aegean Sea, are both worth a visit.

Visitors will be delighted to rest having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at one of the village’s cafés with homely hospitality, take part in the local feasts and festivals or walk around and take pictures of the decorations at the traditional houses of Mesochori.

OLYMPOS

The village of Olymbos is located in the northern part of the island of Karpathos.

Olymbos is described as a living museum, and in many ways, Olymbos is still an open living museum, of architecture, ethnology, linguistics, musicology. It is also the most famous place for tourists and the village is one of the few places in the world that is ruled by women.

Women over forty, still wear their colorful traditional robe, and seem to be doing all the work, unlike men, who only seem to be eternally involved in singing dancing and playing the lyra (local music instrument resembling a violin).

It is certain that the village was named after the notorious tall mountain of the mainland, Olympus, home of the 12 Gods of ancient Greece. This is because the village is built on the side of the equally tall Mt. Profitis Elias.

The general region of Olymbos lies north of Mt. Kymaras and includes the northernmost part of the island as well as the island of Saria, which is agricultural in nature. Saria is separated by the mainland by a straight of about 100m wide.
The region of Olymbos is comprised of mainly mountainous areas totaling up to 37 km2 but many areas are covered with woods or offered for cultivation and livestock feeding.

Some of the mountains are Profitis Elias (720m), Orkili (715m), Kymaras (700m), Stehoi (640m), Malo (635m), Koryfi (590m), Oros (570m), Asia (540m) in the region of Olymbos and Pachis Vounos (630m) in Saria.

Fertile land areas include the regions of Avlona, Achorthea, Pei (pronounced as "pay") and Koilios in Olymbos and Pyla, Ammoe, and Nappa in Saria. Those lands produce olives and olive oil, grains, fruits, vegetables, and grapes, used mostly for making excellent local wine.

An interesting element of the local geography is the partition of the region by the sea. The region is surrounded by many natural harbors and bays which offer habitats for wildlife, sealife, people and their boats.

PIGADIA

A thousand years after the Minoans, around 1000 A.D., the Dorians came here and founded the largest of the four ancient cities of the island in the place where Pigadia is situated today and was called Potidaio or Poseidio.
They might have used the place of the ancient Acropolis and probably they were the ones who built the sanctuary of Athena of Lindos, as they had done the same in the village Lindos in Rhodes.

Pigadia - the word means "wells" in Greek Language - took its name from the many wells which existed there and is a newer town with 1700 inhabitants.

The Minoan Acropolis was possibly built on the rocky hill. Following an uphill newly-built road and passing through a mountainside full of pine trees one will reach the chapel of Panagia Larniotissa. From this place the visitor will enjoy the magnificent view of the port,
the whole town of Pigadia, the bay of Vrontis with the long beach and at the backround the mountain villages.

"To the Northwest Aperi, Volada and Othos and to the west Menetes".

Descending from the hill of the Acropolis and heading to the port, "Posi", as the local people call it, word which definitely comes from the ancient city "Poseidio" we can see the jetty where the ships moor and gaze at the sea. In the port is the Port Office.

A smaller jetty forms a little marine for fish boats sailing boats and crafts. Following either the coastal or the central road there are many cafeterias, bars and restaurants where one can sit and enjoy the fascinating view of the port and the mountainsides around Pigadia.

The church of “Evangelistria” is situated in the centre of the town.

Exiting the town of Pigadia and following the central road to Aperi to our right lays the long beach of Vrontis and one can see the ancient ruins of St.Fotini and Afoti of the late 5th century A.D. and the beginning of the 6th century: columns, marble and rock carvings and pieces.

The period between the First and the Second World War were built two impressive buildings: the building of the Province of Karpathos and Kasos near the centre of the town and the building which accommodates the Port and the Customs Office at the port, remind people of the Italian Occupation in the Dodekanese.

It is worth visiting the newly renovated historic square in front of the building of the Province of Karpathos.

Moreover, the visitor can attend many cultural events in the newly-built open theatre of the town which is situated near the Italian building of the Province of Karpathos and Kasos and enjoy the magnificent view to the sea.

Pigadia consist the centre of tourist life in Karpathos.

SPOA

Spoa village lies on a hill side and is located in the narrowest point of Karpathos island watching tow seas at the same time.

More well, Spoa, can watch the two better moments of the Karpathian seas: The Sunset and the Sunrise.

The village has pretty white houses and water springs give the impression of being buried in the country side.

The houses see at the east, while the four characteristic windmills, traditional picture of the village, have permanently turned their front at the sunset.

This rural village, is one of the most authentically vilagges of Karpathos. Lyra it is heard in the small and narrow streets and traditional ovens using wood smoke in houses in order to cook bread.

Spoa is considered to be the most hospitable village on Karpathos and home made sardines are a specialty there.

Saint Nikolaos with its peble beach is the aestival settlement of the village.