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How many days in Karpathos? 5 days, east coast beaches and the village of Olympos
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Karpathos is a long, mountainous island between Rhodes and Crete, about 50 km from north to south, and one of the least crowded in the Dodecanese. The south has the airport, the main town of Pigadia and wide beaches; the north is wild and steep, with Olympos, a village where older women still wear traditional dress and an old dialect is spoken. Give it five days: two for the beaches of the east, one for Olympos, one for the west coast and one for the mountain villages. The island is windy, so keep plans flexible.
Short answer
Four days covers Pigadia, the east coast boat, Olympos and Lefkos. Five days adds the hill villages of Othos and Aperi, and a slow day on the west coast.
The 5-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Pigadia and Amoopi
Morning. Arrive in Pigadia (Karpathos town), the main port on a wide bay. Walk the waterfront and the lanes behind it, then swim at Vronti, the long sandy beach that curves round the bay from the edge of town.
Afternoon. Drive 7 km south to Amoopi, a series of sandy coves with clear water and a few tavernas. It is sheltered from the north wind and good for children.
Evening. Dinner on the Pigadia waterfront, €15-25 per person. Try makarounes, handmade pasta with fried onions and local cheese, the island's best-known dish.
Karpathos is one of the windiest islands in Greece in July and August. Choose east-coast beaches on windy days and the west coast when it is calm.
Day 2: Boat up the east coast: Apella, Kyra Panagia and Achata
Morning. Take a beach boat from Pigadia (about €20-30 per person, leaving around 9:30-10:00) or drive. The road reaches Achata, a small pebble cove under white cliffs about 10 km north, and Kyra Panagia, a bay with a red-domed church and a sandy beach, a little further north.
Afternoon. Continue to Apella, often called one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, with pines and very clear water, about 17 km from Pigadia by road. The last part is a short walk down steps.
Evening. Return to Pigadia, or stay in the village of Spoa above the coast for dinner and views.
The road to the east coast beaches is paved but steep and winding. Go early in the morning to find parking at Apella.
Day 3: Diafani and Olympos
Morning. Take the boat from Pigadia to Diafani, the small port in the north (about 1h30, around €25-35 return, check current timetables), or drive about 60 km on the mountain road via Spoa. From Diafani, a bus or taxi climbs 20 minutes to Olympos.
Afternoon. Walk through Olympos, a village strung along a ridge high above the sea, with painted houses, windmills, and the church of the Panagia with old frescoes. Older women still wear embroidered dress and leather boots, and the local dialect keeps old Dorian words. Visit a bakery with a wood oven and a small folk museum.
Evening. Eat in Olympos: makarounes, local cheese and bread from the village ovens. Return by boat or car, or stay the night in Diafani.
Easter and 15 August are the big festivals in Olympos, with music and dancing for days. Book well ahead if you visit then.
Day 4: Lefkos and the west coast
Morning. Drive about 30 km northwest to Lefkos, a village on a series of sandy bays with turquoise water, one of the best places to stay on the west coast. Walk the headland paths between the bays, each a few minutes apart.
Afternoon. Drive south along the west coast to Arkasa, with the remains of an early Christian basilica with mosaics on a headland, and the fishing harbour of Finiki, with tavernas by the water.
Evening. Have fresh fish in Finiki at sunset, then drive back to Pigadia, about 30 minutes.
The west coast gets more wind than the east. Choose Lefkos on calm days, and check the forecast in the morning.
Day 5: The hill villages: Aperi, Othos and Volada
Morning. Drive 8 km from Pigadia to Aperi, the old capital, where mansions of emigrants returned from America stand among gardens. Continue to Volada and Othos, at about 500 metres one of the highest villages, with a small folk museum in a traditional house.
Afternoon. Descend to the south coast for a swim at Damatria or Diakoftis, a white-sand beach near the airport with very shallow water.
Evening. Last dinner in Menetes, a hill village with a small museum, or back on the Pigadia waterfront.
Windsurfers come to Afiartis, near the airport, one of the best windsurfing spots in Europe. Schools rent boards and give lessons.
Only have 4 days?
With 4 days, combine Pigadia with Amoopi on Day 1, the east coast on Day 2, Olympos on Day 3 and Lefkos on Day 4. You lose the hill villages.
Got extra days?
Extra days can go to Kasos, the small island to the south (about 1 hour by boat), to the islet of Saria by boat from Diafani, or to Rhodes for the medieval Old Town.
Where to stay in Karpathos
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Pigadia | Cheapest rooms, the port, buses and tavernas. | €40-70 |
| Mid-range | Amoopi | Quiet sandy coves sheltered from the wind, close to town. | €70-130 |
| Mid-range | Lefkos | West coast village on turquoise bays, quiet in the evening. | €70-130 |
| Comfort | Beach hotels in Amoopi or Afiartis | Pools and sea views; Afiartis suits windsurfers. | €140-260 |
Getting around
A car is needed (about €30-50 a day in summer). The main roads are paved, including the road north to Olympos, but they are mountainous and winding. From Pigadia: Amoopi 7 km, Apella 17 km, Lefkos about 30 km, Olympos about 60 km. KTEL buses link Pigadia with some villages a few times a day. Karpathos airport is in the south, about 15 km from Pigadia, with flights from Athens (about 1h15) and Rhodes. Ferries connect Piraeus (about 17-20 hours, via Crete or Kasos), Rhodes and Crete. Check current timetables.
What to eat in Karpathos
Karpathos has its own food. Makarounes, handmade pasta with onions fried in butter and local cheese, is the classic in Olympos. Look for stuffed lamb at Easter, goat from the mountains, wild greens, and local soft cheese such as mizithra. Fresh fish in Finiki and Diafani. A taverna meal with wine costs €15-25 per person. The bakeries of Olympos still bake bread in wood ovens.
Best time to visit
May, June and September are best: highs of 25-29°C, warm sea and less wind. July and August bring the strong meltemi, ideal for windsurfers, but rough for boat trips. Easter and 15 August are the big festivals in Olympos. Many hotels close from November to April.
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €25 | €50 | €110 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €35 | €65 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €25 | €45 |
| Local transport | €10 | €25 | €45 |
| Total per person, per day | about €65 | about €135 | about €265 |
Approximate 2026 prices; tickets include boats to the beaches and Diafani, and transport assumes a shared rental car. Greece charges a per-room, per-night climate resilience fee, higher from April to October.
Before you go
Common questions
How do I get to Olympos?
By boat from Pigadia to Diafani (about 1h30 in summer), then a short bus or taxi up to the village. Or drive the paved mountain road from Pigadia, about 60 km and 1h15-1h30. The boat is the classic way and avoids the long drive. Check current timetables.
Do I need a car in Karpathos?
Yes, for most of the island. Buses are few, and taxis are expensive for long distances. A small car lets you reach the east coast beaches, Lefkos and the hill villages. The roads are good but winding.
Which are the best beaches in Karpathos?
Apella and Kyra Panagia on the east coast, Achata for white cliffs, Lefkos on the west coast, Amoopi for families, and Diakoftis in the south for white sand and shallow water. In strong wind, choose the sheltered east coast.
Is Karpathos good for windsurfing?
Yes. Afiartis, near the airport, has strong and steady wind in summer and is known among windsurfers across Europe. Schools offer lessons and rentals. Beginners should go in the morning, when the wind is lighter.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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