Karpathos Greece is one of the beautiful Greek islands of the Dodecanese and in fact, it is the second largest. It is located between Rhodes and Crete. Only the southern part of the Greek Island has been open to the slowly increasing tourism and has all the needed facilities for a pleasant holiday. The northern part is totally unspoiled and very authentic, with various traditional and picturesque villages. The island has many beautiful beaches and very friendly inhabitants. Karpathos is a mountainous island, with its highest mountain being Kali Limni which is 1,215 metres high.
Things to do
There is plenty to do in Karpathos as its Mediterranean climate makes any activity a fun activity. Karpathos is ideal for windsurfing because of its Meltemi winds, which is strengthened by the local topography. Equally swimming and scuba diving are wonderful pastimes in this exotic location.
For those who prefer to stay out of the water, there are fantastic beaches to sunbath on and take in the constant sun. If you prefer getting out and about sightseeing, there is the ancient Citadel at the township of Lefkos, with parts of a fortification wall and interesting mosaics; the remains of ancient quarries at Pelekito and remains of ancient homes at Rizes.
Shopping
In Karpathian you can find a huge range of goods, including ceramics and brassware, ‘stivalia’ which is a local version of woven leg warmers, traditional leather smiths, cheese, olive oil, wheat flour and barley flour bread, honey and wine.
Jewelry stores are common on the island and also colourful sea shells are a popular souvenir item. A variety of souvenirs are available in the style of handmade textiles, painted ceramic plates, woodcut toys and kitchenware. There are many shops in Pigadia, where you can buy the usual items such as newspapers, magazines, fashionable clothes and shoes. You are guaranteed to be spoilt for choice in Karpathian!
Nightlife
Most bars and clubs are in Pigadia. The Greeks love staying out until late, but it hardly ever gets out of hand. You’ll simply have a very good time. The island of Karpathos has all kinds of modern night entertainment such as bars, nightclubs with foreign and Greek music to satisfy all its visitors.
Even nowadays the tradition remains intact and alive. You will often listen to songs accompanied by traditional musical instruments such as the lyre, the “tsampouna”, and the flute at weddings, christenings, festivals, traditional coffee shops known as “kafeneia” and taverns.
Whatever you fancy doing to dance the night away, there will be something you find to suit your needs.
Eating out
There are a range of restaurants to enjoy serving mainly traditional Greek cuisine of high quality. The local specialty is pasta with onions called Markarounes. In Karpathos you can try traditional rusks from rye, sousamokouloura (sesam cookiees), avgokouloura, psilokouloura, Makarouna, lachanopitia, drilla, the specialty Bizanti, a local dish with lamb filled with rice and baked in a wood oven. There is nothing processed; it is all fresh cooked traditional food.
If you’re one with a sweet tooth, then the taste of local baklava of Karpathos that is very different than the usual one, the myzithropita (myzithra cheese pie), the sisamopita (sesame pie), sitakopita , sousamomelo and xerotigana, will certainly keep you going.