Discover the best beaches in Karpathos
The beaches in Karpathos are characterized by diversity, just like the whole island. Most of the beaches are mildly organized, while they offer different natural characteristics, both in terms of their physical form and their use. One will come across green or rocky and wild beaches, with wind and waves or windless beaches, beaches that offer tranquility and others with intense activity
. Karpathos has some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece. Whether they are made of sand or pebbles, equipped or not, thanks to the beauty of the waters, the beaches of Karpathos will certainly satisfy everyone.
Some of the island’s beaches, especially those on the south-west coast, are ideal for windsurfing: this is where international competitions of this discipline are held every summer. The beaches on the east coast, on the other hand, are more sheltered and usually with pebbles or gravel, while those in the southern part of Karpathos, near the airport, are of fine white sand.
Finally, the beaches of the northern area are accessible only by sea or by off-road vehicles. One of the most beautiful beaches of Karpathos is Apella, located 18 km north of Pigadia, one of the most picturesque beaches on the island. It is a very romantic place with turquoise blue waters and lush greenery.
Still remaining north of Pigadia, but 13 km away, is Achata beach, beautiful and quiet, with white pebbles and sand. The waters in Achata have a very attractive emerald green color, and if you want to combine it with a second beach to visit within a day, the ideal choice is Kyra Panagia, a picturesque beach very close to Achata, immersed in a wild environment.
Windsurfers can head southwest of Pigadia, where they will meet Arkassa beach, a small bay with strong winds that blow steadily: many people windsurf here as well as in Valias, a long and organized beach located on the south side of Karpathos.
Strong winds also make it one of the most interesting beaches in Valias for windsurfing and other water sports. A third paradise beach for sports lovers is Argilopotamos, located near the airport: here too the winds blow constantly in the summer, making it very suitable for windsurfing, but it is also an ideal destination for those who love practicing naturism.
If you are staying in Pigadia and don’t want to move, one of the best choices is the beach of Vrontis, located only 1 km north of the capital of Karpathos: it is a clean pebble beach, which gets quite crowded in summer, as does Afoti, the main beach of Pigadia, a very long sandy beach with calm blue waters.
But there are many other beaches in Karpathos that are worth a visit, such as Diakoftis, located 20 km southwest of Pigadia near the airport, with a soft sandy beach and crystal clear sea, or Finiki, a popular destination in summer, surrounded by numerous small hotels and fish taverns, or Mikri Amopi, a beautiful sandy beach with clear and clean water, organized with sunbeds and umbrellas and some excellent fish restaurants along the coast.
Pigadia beach
Pigadia Beach stands as a serene haven for those seeking a perfect blend of natural beauty and tranquil ambiance. Located in the island’s capital, Pigadia, this captivating beach offers a picturesque setting where crystal-clear waters meet golden sands, creating an idyllic escape for locals and visitors alike.
Pigadia Beach is the beating heart of Karpathos, drawing both sun-seekers and those eager to immerse themselves in the authentic Greek island experience. The town of Pigadia, with its vibrant atmosphere and charming waterfront, serves as the gateway to this stunning beach, inviting exploration and relaxation.
The shoreline of Pigadia Beach is a mesmerizing combination of soft sand and pebbles, providing a comfortable and inviting space for sunbathing and beachside leisure. The gentle slope into the sea makes it an ideal spot for families and swimmers of all levels. As the waves kiss the shore, the tranquil sound creates a soothing backdrop for a day of unwinding beneath the Mediterranean sun.
Afiartis beach
The beach in the area of Afiartis. is a small picturesque bay with rocky volumes that have the striking feature of being covered with shells. It is gently organized with sunbeds and umbrellas while a cafe offers the basics. The beach is easily accessible and in the last meters requires the descent of a small path.
Achata beach
Achata beach is located 13 kilometers north of Pigadia (the capital), on the east coast of the island of Karpathos. Green mountains embrace a paradise made up of an emerald and turquoise sea, with sand mixed with gravel. A splendid, almost surreal scenario!
On the beach of Achata you can rent umbrellas and deck chairs to stay at the best with only € 6 per day.
For when you get hungry, you can take advantage of the small tavern that doubles as a bar, where you can enjoy excellent fresh fish or munch on a quick snack.
Once you arrive in this splendid bay you will not wait to dive into the supercrystalline sea that you will have in front of you. But be careful if you have children, the water becomes immediately deep and may not be very suitable for the little ones.
Agios Nikolaos beach
Agios Nikolaos beach is located in the western part of the island next to Arkasa. It is a long beach with sand and shallow water. It is organized with umbrellas, sunbeds, beach bar, with enough activity and waves for surfing.
The access is easy and is preferred by locals and visitors to the area, while it is suitable for sports activities and is characterized as the Hawaii of Karpathos. Opposite dominates the island of Kasos.
Because of the easy access, is preferred by locals and visitors of the area while it is offered for sports activities and is characterized as the Hawaii of Karpathos. Opposite dominates the island of Kasos.
Agios Theodoros beach
Agios Theodoros beach, is a small quiet beach with crystal clear waters that were dug into the rocks. It is gently organized with a few sunbeds, not so well known and ideal for complete tranquility.
Amoopi beach
Amoopi beach is one of the most famous in Karpathos and is essentially a series of small picturesque beaches with turquoise shallow waters. The shores are covered with sand and are usually sheltered from the wind. There are umbrellas, sunbeds and restaurants. The organization and the shallow waters make Amoopi attractive for families with small children.
Amoopi is located on the south east coast of the island of Karpathos and is divided into two coves.
It is the beach that all lovers of fine sand are looking for! And if in your family you also have those who love snorkelling, with this beach, you will satisfy everyone, because the marine flora is very rich around the rocks.
Amoopi beach has a small village behind it where there are apartments, residences, hotels, taverns, restaurants and cafes.
From our point of view this beach is one of the best for its fine sand (which everyone always likes), for the gently sloping seabed, for the proximity to Pigadia which is a key point and where you will often stop (where already you shouldn’t stay there) and for the services always available for a snack or a fish-based lunch.
Apella beach
Apella beach is probably the greenest beach of Karpathos. A bay on a steep slope full of pines and with crystal clear turquoise waters. It is organized in a place with umbrellas and sunbeds and a tavern on the hill offers the basics. Access requires a good but winding road and a short walk to reach the coast. The waters are shallow and the shore is covered with coarse sand.
Apella beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Karpathos! It has coarse-grained sand along with very white pebbles. It is equipped with sun beds and umbrellas, and a small tavern where you can buy fresh drinks or have a snack. The nearest center is several kilometres away, so where you prefer to opt for the “do it yourself” (better do some shopping in Pigadia (in the capital) or in one of the other towns.
Apella also has a free part, bringing everything you need from the accommodation to shelter from the sun, unless you prefer to do it under one of the many green tamarisks that embrace the beach.
Diakoftis beach
Diakoftis beach is located on the southernmost coast of the island of Karpathos, near the airport, about 20 kilometers from Pigadia.
It is actually two beaches in one, both characterized by a splendid crystalline sea with fine and soft sand and by a suggestive tropical atmosphere that gives the beach a special peculiarity. For many Diakoftis is one of the most beautiful beaches in Karpathos.
Its waters are perfect for those who make beach life and for those traveling with the little ones: thanks to their shallow water for a few meters, children can have fun and the older ones can relax without worries.Diakofti beach is a double beach, as it is formed by a narrow strip of land that interrupts the continuation of the sea.
The waters are deep blue and shallow while the coast is covered with sand.It is organized with umbrellas and sunbeds which are offered at very steep prices. There is of course enough free space to place your umbrella. Access requires a dirt road.
Kato Lakkos beach
The wildly romantic Kato Lakkos beach is located on one of the most interesting and beautiful coastlines of Karpathos and is a popular destination for boat trips. Kato Lakkos is also accessible from the mainland, but this has some pitfalls that we should be aware of if we were to approach one of the most beautiful beaches of Karpathos from this direction.
Kato Lakkos beach is located on the eastern side of Karpathos, the nearest more well-known settlement is the picturesque village of Kyra Panagia, well known from postcards. This region is considered one of the most beautiful areas of the island of Karpathos, where high mountains and pine forests shape the geography of the island, and where this view, complemented by the deep blue sea, presents the classic Karpathos panorama that is so loved by many.
Kyra Panagia beach
Kyra Panagia beach is one of the most popular on the island. Kira Panagia beach is located in the middle of the east coast of the island of Karpathos, about 15 kilometers north of Pigadia.It is considered a small corner of paradise and is among the most photographed beaches on the island, especially from the terrace of the now famous red-roofed church, which offers a spectacular view of the beach.
A slightly more urban experience, is the one you live in Kyra Panagia ecause more has been built near this beach than elsewhere, there are hotels, studios and domatia and a handful of taverns, in addition to the minimarket and the essential bus stop. Kyra Panagia is a very popular beach, where the cliffs to the left are perfect for snorkelling and to the right is the little church that gives the beach its name, which you will find printed on every postcard from Karpathos. A true icon. Here too it can be easily reached by caique from Pigadia, both by caique and by car.
To get here you will have to climb the steps located at the bottom of the beach, on its right looking at the sea. Kira Panagia beach can be easily reached by car, following the signs. The car can be parked right next to the beach, certainly the sooner you arrive, the closer you will find a parking space.
A small cove which ends in a pine-covered slope with clear blue waters and sandy shore. The beach is organized with umbrellas, sunbeds and restaurants.
The rock above the beach generously gives its shadow in the afternoon. Above the beach is the church of Panagia
Lefkos beach
Lefkos beach refers to three consecutive beaches, the middle of which is the one that most people prefer as it is the most windless.
Clear shallow waters and sandy shore while it is fully organized with sunbeds, showers and restaurants. Suitable for families with children and more.
Lefkos beach is one of the best known and most popular beaches on the island of Karpathos. It is located 30 kilometers north of Pigadia on the west coast of Karpathos.
It is divided into three bays: Gialou beach, the most famous of all, Panagias Limani beach, the smallest and quietest and Fragolimniona beach, which is the largest beach in the area.
Behind the beach is the small village with new hotels and apartments, restaurants, taverns, cafes and a few small shops: it is a village that has only been developing from a tourist point of view in recent years.
Damatria Beach
Damatria beach is located on the southeast coast of the island of Karpathos, about 13 kilometers from Pigadia. It has sand mixed with pebbles, a transparent and clear sea and a peaceful atmosphere excellent for those looking for a bit of tranquility, even in August.
Its waters make it perfect for families with children, who thanks to the slowly degrading backdrops will be able to enjoy their stay on the beach, without worries.
Once you arrive at the beach of Damatria you can rent the sunbeds and umbrellas available to enjoy your relaxation in this beautiful bay.
If you happen to be on a windy day it is enough that you move a few meters further from the starting point of the bay and you can enjoy the shelter from the wind due to the high rock wall that surrounds and seems to protect the beach.
When hunger is felt you can enjoy an excellent dish of fresh fish or any Greek specialty that interests you, in the tavern located above the beach.
Makris Gialos
Makris Gialos beach in Afiartis is a paradise for surfers, while the right end has acquired the nickname chickens bay, as its shallow waters combined with the waves are ideal conditions for surfing. It is mildly organized and of course has several services related to surfing. Located next to the airport.
Psorari beach
A little above Diakofti and not far from the airport you will find Psorari beach, another deserted paradise. The beach is an ideal choice for those who like relaxed and solitary holidays. Here you will leave your towel on the rocks and enjoy only the sound of the sea.
Agios Minas beach
On the way to Mount Olympus, the unique beach of Agios Minas with a separate pebble with the picturesque little church watching over it. You come here by car or by boat from Pigadia.
Agios Nikolaos Arkasa
The Hawaii of Karpathos with a unique view of the neighboring island of Kasos. With golden sand, it is considered the best beach for body surfing in its continuous waves. It is an organized beach and has shower umbrellas and restaurants.
Agrilaopotamos beach
In the southern part of the island is the paradise of surfers. Relaxed atmosphere and strong winds create a special setting. The beach is small, sandy and the waters shallow. There are no sunbeds, but in the background you will find a canteen for the essentials.
Afoti beach
Afoti, which is a continuation of the beach of Pigadia, is a beautiful sandy beach, which gathers a lot of people, as it is extensive, fully organized and is located near the capital of Karpathos. On the beach road and in the surrounding area there are bars and taverns, where you can enjoy drinks and traditional food.
