Explore Karpathos

Karpathos is not an island that tries too hard. And that is exactly why we love it. Stretching between Rhodes and Crete, Karpathos combines some of the clearest water in Greece with dramatic mountains, pine-covered slopes, remote villages and traditions that remain remarkably alive. It feels wilder than many of the better-known Greek islands. There are no endless rows of fashionable beach clubs and no pressure to follow a particular scene. Instead, you discover tiny coves beneath enormous cliffs, villages where families still prepare handmade pasta according to recipes passed through generations, fishing harbours where lunch can last for hours and one of the most fascinating traditional communities anywhere in Greece. For Yamas travellers looking for authenticity without sacrificing beautiful beaches, good villas and excellent food, Karpathos can be a wonderful surprise. It is particularly suited to families, couples and active travellers who enjoy discovering an island rather than simply staying in one place.

HIGHLIGHTS OF KARPATHOS

BEACHES

Apella – The Beach Everyone Should See

Apella is the beach that appears on almost every list of Karpathos’ highlights. And in this case, the reputation is justified. Enormous mountains covered in pine trees descend towards intensely turquoise water, creating a landscape that feels more dramatic than a typical Greek beach. The water becomes deep relatively quickly and is exceptionally clear. There is road access, although the final approach is winding, and Apella can also be reached by boat. During July and August, arrive early. For us, the best way to experience Apella is either first thing in the morning or from a private boat, when you can see the scale of the mountains from the sea.

BEACHES

Kyra Panagia

is one of the most recognisable beaches on Karpathos. The small red-domed church above the bay has become one of the island’s signature images. Below it lies a beautiful pebble-and-sand beach surrounded by high cliffs. The water is deep, transparent and ideal for swimming. Come early, spend the morning swimming and then stay for lunch rather than treating Kyra Panagia as a quick photographic stop.

BEACHES

Achata

Enormous rocky slopes surround a compact bay filled with deep turquoise water.

The clarity makes it excellent for snorkelling. It is organised enough to be comfortable but still retains the dramatic, natural character that makes Karpathos special. If your clients love swimming rather than simply lying on a sunbed, Achata should be on the list.

Diakoftis

Located in southern Karpathos near the airport, it has pale sand, shallow turquoise water and low vegetation. On a calm day it can look almost Caribbean. Because this part of Karpathos can be exposed to wind, check conditions before committing to the day. When the weather is right, however, it is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.

Lefkos – The Calm Western Side

Lefkos is one of the places we would seriously consider for clients seeking a slower holiday. Several beaches sit around the village, with pale sand and calm lagoon-like water. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are tavernas close to the sea. Lefkos is also well positioned for exploring the western and central parts of Karpathos. Stay until evening if you can – the west coast gives you something the eastern beaches cannot: sunset over the Aegean.

COLINARIA & WINE

Food is an important part of Karpathos’ identity.

Because many communities remained relatively isolated, traditional recipes survived particularly well.

The dish you absolutely need to try is makarounes.

These handmade pasta pieces are usually served with caramelised onions and local cheese.

They are simple, comforting and completely connected to the island.

Other foods to look for include stuffed courgette flowers, local goat, slow-cooked meat, chickpea dishes, fresh fish, local cheeses and traditional breads.

In Olympos, food and tradition are especially closely connected.

If you see makarounes being made by hand, stop and watch.

CULINARY & WINE

Karpathos is not an island where we would build the holiday around fashionable restaurants.

In Olympos, choose somewhere serving handmade makarounes and traditional Karpathian dishes rather than looking for an international menu.

In Diafani, order fish beside the harbour.

In Finiki, another fishing village on the western coast, come for seafood and stay for sunset.

Around Arkasa, combine dinner with the evening light over the western coastline.

And in Pigadia, use the evenings for a slightly broader choice of restaurants and drinks.

The best question you can ask in Karpathos is often simply:

“What did you cook today?”

CULINARY & WINE

Finiki – Seafood at Sunset

Finiki is a small fishing harbour on the west coast and one of our favourite places for an uncomplicated evening.

Arrive late afternoon, swim if you feel like it and then choose one of the waterfront tavernas.

Order according to the day’s catch.

As the sun drops towards the horizon, the fishing boats and small harbour create exactly the kind of Greek island atmosphere that cannot be manufactured.

Traditional Festivals

Karpathos’ panigyria – village religious festivals – are not performances created for tourists.

They remain part of local life.

Music, dancing, food and religious tradition come together, sometimes continuing late into the night.

The most famous celebrations are associated with Olympos and northern Karpathos.

The Assumption of the Virgin on 15 August is particularly important in Olympos.

If clients happen to be on Karpathos during a festival, it can become one of the most memorable experiences of the holiday.

But attend respectfully. You are joining a local tradition, not attending a staged attraction.

Windsurfing – One of Europe’s Great Wind Destinations

Karpathos has an international reputation for windsurfing. The southern area around Afiartis benefits from powerful and remarkably consistent summer winds. Different bays suit different ability levels.

Chicken Bay

Generally the friendliest area for beginners and less experienced windsurfers because of its shallower conditions.

Gun Bay

A step up in intensity and popular with more experienced riders.

Devil’s Bay

This is where strong, experienced windsurfers come for powerful conditions.

If someone in the family has always wanted to learn, Karpathos is an excellent place to book proper lessons rather than simply trying the sport for an hour.

And if nobody wants to participate, watching expert windsurfers flying across the water in strong Meltemi winds is an experience in itself.

A Private Boat Along the Eastern Coast

Saria is not the only reason to charter a boat.

Karpathos’ mountainous coastline becomes even more impressive from the sea.

A beautiful private route can include:

Pigadia → Achata → Kyra Panagia → Apella → secluded swimming coves.

The exact route should always be adjusted according to wind and sea conditions.

This is particularly important in Karpathos, where summer winds can be strong.

For families or groups, a comfortable motorboat with skipper allows you to experience several famous beaches without spending the entire day driving mountain roads.

Saria – The Boat Day We Recommend

Immediately north of Karpathos lies the uninhabited island of Saria.

For Yamas guests who enjoy nature and the sea, this is one of the most interesting excursions you can arrange.

Boats generally depart from Diafani and explore bays along Saria’s rugged coastline.

One of the most beautiful areas is Palatia Bay, where exceptionally clear water makes snorkelling particularly rewarding.

The island has dramatic cliffs, caves and archaeological remains, while the surrounding marine environment forms part of a protected ecosystem.

This is not a beach-club day.

It is a day for swimming, snorkelling, walking and discovering one of the wildest corners of the Dodecanese.

For clients who enjoy comfort, arrange a private boat rather than a large excursion.

Olympos – The Village You Must Experience

If you visit only one village in Karpathos, it has to be Olympos.

Built dramatically into the mountains of northern Karpathos, Olympos remained geographically isolated for centuries. That isolation helped preserve something extraordinary. Traditional dress is still worn by some local women. An old dialect survives. Music, weaving, religious customs, food traditions and festivals remain an important part of community life. Stone windmills line the mountain ridge and narrow lanes weave between colourful houses.

But Olympos should not be treated as a human museum.

People live here.

Walk respectfully, buy something made locally, sit down for lunch and allow enough time to experience the village beyond its most photographed street. Look for women preparing makarounes, the handmade pasta that is one of Karpathos’ signature dishes. The 16th-century Church of the Assumption of the Virgin is also worth visiting. If your trip coincides with one of Olympos’ traditional religious festivals, you may experience something genuinely unforgettable.

Climbing & Mountain Biking

Karpathos is increasingly interesting for travellers who want more than beach activities.

The rugged landscape lends itself to climbing and mountain biking, while marked walking routes explore both coastal and mountain terrain.

For Yamas clients specifically interested in adventure, we would arrange these activities with a local guide rather than simply recommending that they set off independently.