Things to do in Karpathos

Known for its rugged beauty and crystalline sea, Karpathos serves up a tranquil, authentic slice of Greek life. Pastel-hued villages such as Olympos and Mesochori cluster on mountain ridges in the north, a living museum of traditional culture. In the south, pretty coves dimple the coastline, some complete with tavernas and sunbeds to hire, others blissfully wild. The hills beckon hikers to explore on foot, or for a different perspective you could take a boat trip to explore the coast. Karpathos town – also known as Pigadia – is the main hub on the island and sits on a long beach and boasts good facilities. Some of the best beaches are a little further afield – try Amoopi’s cute coves, the sublime water at Diakoftis and the horseshoe bay at Lefkos.

Top six things to do in Karpathos

1. Discover the hilltop village of Olympos

Small as it may be, with a population of about 400, Olympos is an unmissable stop on your Karpathos adventure. Straddling the top of a hill with mountains looming behind, the colourful buildings huddle together crowned by the church spire. This is a village where heritage and history are revered, where the elders still don traditional embroidered clothes and where it seems like the clock stopped several centuries ago. Explore the steep lanes, admire the views and pop in to the richly decorated Ekklisia Koimiseos tis Theotokou church.

2. Enjoy a stroll in Karpathos towm

The main port and capital of Karpathos island sits on the east coast and enjoys a fine setting in the crook of a large bay flanked by hilly headlands. Laze on the long sandy beach, enjoy a meal in a seafront taverna – don’t miss the local seafood specialities – or potter around the little harbour. The town’s archaeological museum is small but worthwhile, offering a fascinating trip through Karpathian history with good infographics to explain the artefacts on show.

3. Make a beeline for the beaches

Karpathos has an appealing mix of mountains, rugged coastlines and pretty towns, but most visitors come here for the wonderful beaches. Whether you prefer remote rocky coves for snorkelling or broad sandy swathes with all the facilities, Karpathos can deliver. Reached by either an adventurous drive or a leisurely boat trip, Apella beach is a big draw, with wraparound hills framing the idyllic scene. Diakoftis beach is known for the stunning colour of its shallows, while Amoopi is super sandy even underwater – so perfect for little ones. Pretty Lefkos enjoys a village location, so it has good facilities and Achata is a dramatic cove squeezed between high cliffs.

4. Hit the hiking trails

After making the most of Karpathos’s best beaches, you might find your gaze wandering to those imposing mountains that rise in the north. Outside the heat of high season, hiking on Karpathos is a thrilling prospect. From coastal trails linking beaches and fishing villages to serious mountain treks, there is a hike to suit everyone. A guide is recommended as much of the island is remote and water sources are scarce.

5. Take to the waves on a boat trip

Combine a boat trip with some time exploring on land or cruise the coast to visit remote beaches not accessible by road. Southern Karpathos is blessed with a coastline fringed with tempting beaches, while in the north the mountains erupt straight from the sea in places. Take a seat on deck to see the island from a new angle, maybe to visit the unpopulated islet of Saria, to the north, or to dock at the port of Diafani to visit Olympos without quite so many hairpins to navigate.

6. Dive in for some underwater fun

This remote island boasts some of the clearest waters in the Aegean, and the seas are brimming with life. Diving and snorkelling are popular things to do in Karpathos, and some of the major beaches offer dive shops where you can hire the equipment and arrange dive trips. Snorkelling is easy as many of the beaches have rocky fringes that attract the fish. Above water, windsurfing and kitesurfing are popular in the south of the island where the breeze is most reliable.