Karpathos
About Karpathos
Karpathos is located at the southeastern Aegean Sea between Rhodes and Crete. Karpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands. The island is located about 47 km (29.2 miles) southwest of Rhodes and 463 km (287.6 miles) from Greece's capital Athens. Karpathos is a Greek island of 301 km² (187 miles²). According to the 2001 census, Karpathos is populated by 6511 inhabitants.
Karpathos Villages
Karpathos comprises 12 villages. On the southern section of the island are located; the capital Pigadia (official: Karpathos Town), Aperi (ex-capital), Volada, Othos, Piles, Finiki, Arkasa and Menetes (most populated village after the capital). On the northen section of the island are located Mesochori, Spoa, Diafani and Olimbos, where Karpathian tradition is followed religiously.
Karpathos Beaches
At Karpathos you may find some of the most beautiful and clean beaches of Greece and Europe. Meeting all tastes, the either sandy or pebbly with emerald or light-blue waters, will satisfy any visitor. Many Karpathos beaches, especially the south-east Afiartis coastline is ideal for wind-surfing. Top Karpathos beaches are considered: Mikri (Small) Amoopi, Megali (Big) Amoopi, Votsalakia, Kyra Panagia, Achata, Apella, Lefkos and Aghios Nikolaos.
Sports
The weather conditions and the morphology of Karpathos are ideal for various sports, such as wind-surfing, scuba-diving and hiking. Hiking trails are available at the southern part of the island and are considered the best way to enjoy natural environment of Karpathos. The clean and calm waters of the island's eastern coastine and a few lessons at the Karpathos scuba-diving school will allow you to discover a whole new world under the water. During the last few years Karpathos has hosted international wind-surfing races and offers some of the best wind-surfing in Europe. Professional instructors and equipment are available for those keen to learn this amazing sport.
Top 5 things to do when you visit Karpathos
- Visit at least 5 different beaches
- Take scuba-diving or wind-surfing lessons
- Enjoy traditional dishes and fresh fish at a local restaurant
- Rent a motor-bike or a car and visit the Karpathos villages
- Visit Olimbos by boat