Karpathos
Karpathos is a long, windy Greek island best known for the mountain village of Olympos and its wind-exposed beaches, and a rental car is the practical way to see it.
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Karpathos is a long, narrow Greek island in the southeastern Aegean, part of the Dodecanese and lying between Crete and Rhodes. Its beaches sit open to the wind, which is why kite and windsurf riders come here. In the north, the mountain village of Olympos is known for its stone houses and traditional local dress, and it is a good reason to make the drive north. The island suits travelers who want to see both the coast and the mountain interior.
Villages and beaches sit far apart, so a rental car gives you the most freedom and is the practical way to reach most sights. Pigadia, the main town and ferry port, has most of the shops, cafés and services, so it is a practical base for day trips. Plan time in the car, and check the ferry schedule before you book your onward trip.
Karpathos in five
- Plan for the meltemi windA strong north wind blows through July and August. It suits kite and windsurf at the southern bays and cools the heat, but it can make some beaches rough, so check flags and swim on the sheltered side.
- Drive to Olympos earlyOlympos clings to a ridge in the north, with traditional dress, bread ovens and sea views. The road winds, so start in the morning, fill the tank and expect a long day with stops.
- Book flights and ferries earlyFlights from Athens and Rhodes are limited outside summer, and ferries run on long routes that can be canceled in wind. Keep a spare day before a flight home.Getting around Greece
- Base in Pigadia, Arkasa or LefkosPigadia has the port, shops and most services, Arkasa a quiet western coast and Lefkos a sandy bay in the northwest. Rent a car or scooter whichever you pick.
- Use Diafani for the northDiafani is the small northern port near Olympos, reached by road or by seasonal boat. Check operators in June and September, when boats run less often.
Things to do in Karpathos
See all attractions in KarpathosNeed to know
- Airport
- Karpathos (AOK), a short drive from Pigadia; flights from Athens and Rhodes
- Getting there
- Flights, or long ferries from Piraeus, Rhodes and Crete
- Getting around
- Rental car or scooter; few buses between villages
- Best base
- Pigadia for services; Lefkos for beaches; Arkasa for quiet
- Time needed
- 5–7 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low13°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh15°Low13°Mild, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchClear6 rainy daysHigh16°Low14°WildflowersMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wildflowers
- AprilClear3 rainy daysHigh18°Low16°Easter, mildAprilClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Easter, mild
- MayClear2 rainy daysHigh21°Low19°Warm, quietMayClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh24°Low22°Warm, sea warmJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, sea warm
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Hot, meltemiJulyClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, meltemi
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Hot, meltemiAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, meltemi
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low24°Warm, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low21°Mild, quieterOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low18°Rain, closingNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, closing
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low15°Mild, wetDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
Average daily high and low in Pigadia, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Karpathos
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 19°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 80%
Karpathos
10:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today20°19°80%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Tue22°19°35%Tuesday: Rain. High 22°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Wed21°17°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu20°16°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri18°15°0%Friday: Clear. High 18°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat17°15°3%Saturday: Clear. High 17°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun19°16°4%Sunday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 07:59 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Olymposabout 1.5 hours by car from PigadiaA traditional ridge village with painted houses and sea views.
- Diafaniabout 1 hour by car from PigadiaThe north port, a base for beaches and the walk to Olympos.
- Kasossmall ferry; seasonal, check operatorsA tiny, quiet island south, reached by boat.
Before you go to Karpathos
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Rules for Karpathos, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly or sail.Source
- Non-EU visitors arriving from outside Schengen are registered under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check current guidance at travel-europe.europa.eu.Source
- Cover shoulders and knees when you enter Orthodox churches and monasteries, and remove hats inside.
- Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire in an emergency anywhere in Greece.
Plan around Karpathos
Entry rules, ferries and island planning
Read the guideDodecaneseIsland chain from Kos to Rhodes
Read the guideRhodesBigger neighbor, an hour by flight or long ferry
Read the guideLindosAcropolis village on Rhodes' east coast
Read the guideKosFlat island with a medieval castle and beaches
Read the guideCreteLarger island to the west, linked by ferry
Read the guideKarpathos FAQ
Is Karpathos worth visiting?
Yes if you want a quiet island with real village life, windsurf beaches and fewer crowds. It is not for nightlife or short trips, and getting there takes planning.
How do you get to Karpathos?
By flight from Athens or Rhodes, or by ferry from Piraeus, Rhodes or Crete, which takes many hours. Schedules vary by season and wind, so check operators and book early for summer.
Do you need a car on Karpathos?
Yes for most trips. Olympos, the west coast and the beaches are spread out, and buses are infrequent. A scooter is fine in the south, and a small car suits the winding north road.
Where should you stay on Karpathos?
Pigadia for services and the port, Lefkos for sandy bays in the northwest, Arkasa for a quiet west coast and Diafani for the north. Base in the south if you are unsure.
When is the best time to visit Karpathos?
May, June, September and early October for warm days and calmer sea. July and August bring the meltemi wind, which suits windsurfers, and many places close in winter.