Hotels in Karpathos: where to stay on the island
Karpathos is a long, mountainous island with big distances. Choose your area before you choose a hotel.
- Pigadia, the main town, is best for nightlife, restaurants and services.
- Amoopi suits beaches and snorkelling. Arkasa and Lefkos on the west coast are quieter and have sunsets.
- Diafani and Olympos in the north are remote and traditional, and suit walkers.
For a beach holiday with a car, choose Amoopi or Arkasa. Without a car and with plenty of restaurants, choose Pigadia. For walking and quiet, choose Diafani.
Karpathos hotels: choose the area first
Karpathos is in the Dodecanese, between Rhodes and Crete. The island is long and mountainous, with winding roads. A hotel in the north and one in the south make for two completely different holidays. For the island itself: our Karpathos guide.
Where to stay in Karpathos
| Area | Best for | Hotels named in the source |
|---|---|---|
| Pigadia (Karpathos Town) | nightlife, restaurants and services | Casa Vista, Alpha and Omega, Alimounda Mare |
| Amoopi | sheltered beaches, swimming and snorkelling | Orelia Luxury Villas, Olympos Studios, Argo Hotel |
| Arkasa | quiet, sunsets and a base for day trips | Arkasa Palace, Sunset Suites Annada, Alpha Studios |
| Lefkos | laid-back, small coves | Dream Villas, La Scala Luxury Villas, Akrogiali Apartments |
| Diafani | remote and quiet, for walkers | Nikos Hotel, Diafani Villa Anna |
| Olympos | traditional mountain village | Olympos Archipelagos, Anemos Guesthouse |
Source: Real Greek Experiences. This list comes from that guide and is not our recommendation. Prices and availability change, so check on the booking site or directly with the hotel.
Pigadia: the most convenient
Pigadia is the main town and port. It has the most restaurants, bars and services. The best beaches, such as Kyra Panagia and Apella, are 30–40 minutes' drive away.
Amoopi: for a beach holiday
Amoopi has sheltered bays that are good for swimming and snorkelling. The area is built on a slope and most beaches are reached by steps, so it's less suitable if you have limited mobility. If you're hiring a car, choose somewhere with private parking.
Arkasa and Lefkos: the west coast
Arkasa is about half an hour's drive from Pigadia. It's quiet, has lovely sunsets and makes a good base for day trips. Lefkos is even more relaxed, about an hour from Pigadia on a winding road.
Diafani and Olympos: the north
Diafani is the island's second port: quiet and remote, and also reachable by boat from Pigadia. Olympos is a traditional mountain village 43 km north of Pigadia. You have to leave your car outside the village, which is awkward with lots of luggage. The village can only be explored on foot, so some places to stay may not suit people with disabilities.
5-star hotels in Karpathos?
The source we checked gives no star ratings. Most accommodation on Karpathos is small hotels, studios and villas. If you want 5 stars, filter on the booking site and check the official rating.
A car in Karpathos
Distances are long and public transport is limited, so for most holidays it's worth hiring a car.
FAQ
Where is the best place to stay in Karpathos? For beaches, Amoopi. For nightlife and services, Pigadia. For quiet and sunsets, Arkasa.
Are there 5-star hotels in Karpathos? The source we checked gives no ratings. Filter by stars on the booking site and check the official rating.
Do I need a car in Karpathos? Usually, yes. The beaches and villages are far apart and the roads are winding.
Is it worth staying in Olympos? If you want a traditional experience and quiet, yes. But your car stays outside the village, and it's a long way from the beaches.
