Karpathos Island Information

Here is my second tab content. Karpathos, high and mighty, is situated between Crete and Rhodes, in the middle of the Karpathian Sea. It is a very traditional island whose inhabitants take care to preserve local traditions and where you will discover the authenticity and warmth of Greece much as it was fifty years ago. Although the town of Karpathos has a busy waterfront with plenty of cafes and restaurants, the island has not given itself over to mass tourism and you will be free to discover its many, beautiful, secluded beaches and variety of scenery. Its southern part has valleys and plains whilst central and northern Karpathos is mountainous. Karpathos is the ideal island for a quiet holiday. The variety of scenery of the island is unique.The transition from scenery to another and the changes of colours and shapes are frequent and unexpected and never make the visitor feel boredom or monotony. Karpathos aims at tourism, its authentic pure natural beauties, its unique wealth, all enhanced by the hospitality of its residents. Its magnificent beaches, its secluded small bays, its imposing mountain peaks and its local inhabitants who dress up in their traditional costumes. Karpathos has 10 villages with a total pupulation of approximately 6,000. The capital of the island is situated in the South East and called PIGADIA (Karpathos). On Karpathos, life and roads go in cirlces. The visitor can travel from Pigadia to the airport and can reach Arkasa on gravel roads and return through Menetes. The main circle is the one that unites the Lower Villages: Pigadia, Menetes,  Arkasa, Pyles, Othos Volada, Aperi, and then back to Pigadia. But the most spectacular circle is the one from Pigadia to Aperi, Spoa and Mesochori returning through Pyles, Othos, Volada and Aperi to Pigadia. After Aperi, the pine trees are projected against the vast blue, as the road crosses the slopes like a belt on the mountain. Starting from high up, every descent toward the sea is a stunning experience. On the mountains one will see steep dingles, dashing streams,deep caves with stalactites, green valleys with crystal clear waters which spread their melody and breeze everywhere. Moreover, one can find himself in mountain sides, full of pinetrees which are spread allover reaching golden and sandy beaches.

Arkasa Village InformationArkasa is the second largest village in Karpathos. It is located by the sea on the southwestern part of Karpathos, roughly 16 km from Pigadia. Very popular with tourists because of its quaint charm and narrow streets Arkasa is one of the developing tourist centres of Karpathos  which lives a modern life together with very old memories. There two beaches in the village flanked by Paleokastro, the peninsula on which ancient Arkesia wal located. A whitewashed path climbs up to the top of the rock offering views to the two shores. Here too, marble columns make their appearance on the acropolis and in the churchyard of Agia Sofia withs its mosaics. Nearby Arkasa there is the fishing village of  Finiki where restaurants near by the sea serve fresh fish cought by the local fishermen.  

Karpathos BEACHESThe beaches of Karpathos are something the visitor cannot find in many islands of Greece: virgin beaches with crystal clear waters, with sand or tiny pebbles, which have remained untouched by human activity. Here at the edge of the southeastern Aegean, at the bottom of the Dodecanese, the Karpathian Sea os the meeting point for four seas, each of which is different. To the east, one the leeward side, the precipitous cliffs plunge into the the waves while embracing truly exotic beaches such as Appela. To the south are beaches of Amopi, well protected form the strong winds by a string of a small bays. But as soon you head southeast the Anemoessa (full winds) creates the surfers paradise at Valias, Nikolaki Pounta and Makris Gialos. In the Region of Arkasa  Adeia, Agios Theodoros, Toichiasmenaki, Agios Nikolaos and Agia Sofia under acropolis of ancient Arkesia, and after protected Finiki (small port - fishing village) and finally Kamarakia gives visitors different paradises to enjoy.

Karpathos Festivals/FeastsAlthough Karpathos is a small island it is exceptional because of its rich tradition which has roots from ancient years and especially because of the local people's devotion to preserving their customs and traditions and living according to these values. One can attend a karpathian "glenti" in Greek Orthodox celebrations and in social events especially weddings, baptisms,name days after eating the traditional karpathian dishes.The Karpathian wedding is one of the most celebrated events - the preparations last one week and the day of the ceremony the local musicians start playing in the morning to finish the feast 2-3 days later! Other feasts are:

•     Assumption of Virgin Mary in August 15th  (Menetes, Pyles,  Aperi)
•     Transfiguration of Christ in August 6th (Menetes, Othos)
•     Saint Panteleimon in July 27th (Arkasa, Othos) 
•     Kyra Panaghia and Myrtidiotissa in August 23rd
•     Virgin Mary Vrisiani in September 8th (Mesoxori)