6-day
Specific Tour
Unlimited
___
Karpathos is the second largest island of the Dodecanese and one of the most authentic in Greece. Rugged mountains, sheltered bays and villages that still keep centuries-old customs alive make it a destination unlike any other. It is ideal for travellers seeking nature, tradition and the sea without the crowds.
Inhabited since Neolithic times, Karpathos is mentioned by Homer as Krapathos and saw Minoan, Dorian and Roman presence. It passed through Byzantine rule, the Knights of Rhodes, the Ottomans and the Italians, and was united with Greece in 1948 along with the rest of the Dodecanese. The isolation of northern Karpathos preserved dialects and customs that researchers still study today.
Olympos, built like an amphitheatre on the mountainside with its traditional costumes and windmills, is the island’s landmark. The picturesque little harbour of Diafani, the beaches of Apella, Kyra Panagia and Achata, and the mountain villages of Aperi, Othos and Mesochori complete the picture. Also worth visiting are the early Christian basilica of Agia Fotini and the neighbouring islet of Saria.
Local cuisine is built on island produce: makarounes pasta with sour butter and browned onion, vyzanti, stuffed vine leaves and roast goat. Seaside tavernas serve very fresh fish and lobster pasta. For dessert, ask for xerotigana with thyme honey and the local sitaka.
Nights out in Karpathos are relaxed and friendly, with small bars along the beach in Pigadia and Amoopi. Summer village festivals with lyra and tsabouna music offer the most authentic celebration you can find. In Arkasa and Lefkos you will find quiet cocktail bars with sunset views.
Currency: Euro· Time: Greek local time· Access: by air from Athens in about 1 hour 15 minutes to Karpathos airport, or by ferry from Piraeus with intermediate stops. Getting around the island is easiest by rental car, while a regular local boat also connects Diafani with Olympos.
The trip runs for 6 days and starts from €375 per person, departing from Athens. You pick the dates — there is no fixed departure.
The price includes: domestic flight tickets Athens – Karpathos – Athens or ferry tickets, 5 nights accommodation in a selected hotel or traditional guesthouse with breakfast, car rental for the entire stay, suggested excursion programme and route map, support from our office before and during the trip, VAT and accommodation taxes where applicable.
Ready to book?
Find the best hotel deals for this destination.
No account needed. We will let you know if anything worth knowing happens.
Optional tours, tickets and activities you can book for your days there. We arrange the trip — these you choose yourself.
Activities, experiences and local guides — book ahead and keep your days free of queues.
These activities are provided and sold by our partners. You complete the booking on their page, at exactly the same price.
This is a made-to-order trip, so you choose the dates. We are happy to advise on the best season for this destination and on how the weather, prices and crowds change through the year — just tell us roughly when you are thinking of travelling.
The main inclusions are:
The full list of what is and is not included appears in the "Included / Excluded" section on this page.
For domestic travel you need a valid police ID card or passport in order to board the ferry or the flight. Bring your AMKA or European Health Insurance Card, and a valid driving licence plus a credit card in the driver's name if a car or scooter is included. Minors must carry their own travel document. Entry rules change, so please confirm the current requirements with our office before you book.
The local currency is Euro. Cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels, but it is worth carrying some cash for small shops, markets and tips. Tell your bank you are travelling so your card is not blocked.
Changes and cancellations follow the terms of the airlines, hotels and suppliers booked for you, so the cost depends on how close to departure you are and on the fare rules of each booking. Tell us as early as possible and we will look for the least costly option. The general terms of participation apply to every booking.
Travel insurance is not included in the price unless the "Included" list on this page says otherwise. We strongly recommend it, especially for trips outside the EU, so that medical care, cancellation and lost luggage are covered. We can arrange a policy for you — just ask when you book.
Yes — this is an individual trip, not a group departure. There is no fixed itinerary and no coach schedule: you travel on your own, at your own pace. We can change the number of nights, the class of hotel, add or drop destinations and arrange transfers, car hire or private guides.
Send us a request through the form on this page, call us, or drop by the office. We will come back with availability and a written quotation before anything is charged. The trip as shown runs for 6 days.
