General Information

Karpathos is the 2nd in size island of the Dodecanese complex. It is known for its natural beauty and for the fact that the local residents keep their traditions more alive than and in any other corner of both the islands and mainland of Greece. This is evident from the traditional costumes that are worn during the festivities by all the women of the island.
They wear colorful traditional costumes that have a double line of gold coins on their chest and a beautiful scarf on their heads. Their houses are also decorated with rare local woven fabrics and embroideries, mainly hand made by the women of Karpathos. In this way their houses look like small museums.

More than just the beauty that is conveyed through its traditions, Karpathos allows its natural beauty to caress your eyes. Tall mountains and exquisite nature are its main characteristics.


Its mountains end up to embroidered seashores, coastlines with white sandy beaches. Kyra-Panagia, Achata, Ambela, are some of its beautiful beaches. The white beaches are beautifully combined with the light blue of the sea. The mountains are full of pine trees and hide in them beautiful small villages that compose the centre of attraction for the summer visitors.

A few years back Karpathos was hit by immigration, lately things have changed and tourism has played a major role in this. From year to year tourism increases and this increases the need for infrastructure, having as a result the construction of hotels, the improvement of the road networks and the expansion of international flights as Karpathos has an international airport.


Karpathos is the far most southern island of the Dodecanese complex. It is located between Crete and Rhodes and is approx 301 sq klm in size. Its shorelines stretch out approx. 160 klms. It is oblong in shape and its length reaches 49 klms. Its maximum width reaches 11 klms, while its minimum width reaches 3,3 klms. Its highest mountain reaches 1215 meters. Other high peaks of Karpathos are Profitis Elias 1168 meters, Lastos 975 meters and others.


Karpathos produces grapes and from these high quality wine . It also produces oil, grapes, honey, citrus fruits and others. The traditional folklore works of art, such at the Karpathian plates, woven fabrics and others are also products that are produced here. In the sea of Karpathos a lot of tasteful fish are fished. At the south part of the island you will have the chance to see flat like limestones.

You will also find limestones and plaster scattered around at the centre and south part of the island.


The initial impression that you get from Karpathos is that it is a barren, rocky island that has no forests. Nevertheless Karpathos has a vast variety of herbs and it is a paradise for a substantial quantity of animals and plants. It has a thick a beautiful pine forest in the centre of the island at Piles - Mesohori - Spoa.

Also included in the vegetation and greenery you will find vineyards, olive trees and mainly various other fruit bearing trees. A lot of plants that grow here, some of which are rate in the European area , such as Phlomis Floccose, Crocus biflus. Vast wealth is also found in the fauna of the island. Here in the rocky caves the Mediterranean seal (Monachus-Monachus) live. We also come across species as Mavropetritis and the Aegean Seagull , which are both protected bird species.


Karpathos like many other Greek islands is a passageway for many immigrating birds as the Bee-eater, the Halkokourouna, and various types of swallows, turtledoves and many others

At this point we have to make reference to the amphibian Mertensiella Luscani, which has adapted to the dry climate of the island and during the summer season lives under the humid rocks in various cool passages. This species only exists in Karpathos and Kastelorizo.