Karpathos is located at the southwestern tip of the Dodecanese Prefecture between Rhodes and Crete and is the second largest island in the Prefecture.
The area, along with the surrounding islets, is 324.7 sq. Km. At the northern end of the island is the Saria Island, which has an area of 21 square kilometers and is separated from Karpathos with a narrow strait of only 100 meters width.
It is located between Crete and Rhodes, in the Karpathian Sea, which has been named after it since antiquity. It is 72 nautical miles from Rhodes and 242 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus.
Karpathos belongs to the island region of the South Aegean and has significant strategic importance due to its location, located at the southern tip of the Dodecanese Prefecture. It is the seat and the center of the Regional Unity of Karpathos – Kasos, since it hosts all the public services, and almost all the commercial activity of the regional unit.
The geographic location of the island is important because it is a key link of the island bridge connecting Crete with Asia Minor and with its long structure it dominates the south-eastern gates of the Aegean.
Geomorphologically, Karpathos, together with its island of Saria, is one of the most endowed Greek islands.
Calcareous rocks form its stratigraphic core and determine its morphological character. In some areas, limestone flysch layers develop, as well as newer layers of gypsum, travertine, conglomerate and modern deposits.
The variety and colorful magic of the natural landscape of Karpathos is unique.
The alternations and contrasts are so frequent and unexpected that they leave no room for monotony and boredom.
Karpathos has high and hard mountains (Lassos 1215 m altitude, the tallest in the Dodecanese, whose peaks sometimes appear snowy. On the hillsides one can see steep ravines and labyrinthine torrents, deep caves endowed with attractive multicolored stalactites, lush green valleys and springs with crystal clear waters gurgling melodically, generously spreading their coolness.
“Karpathian ladies have the second paradise since they live in a place where basil grows and waters flow free and gurgling.”
Furthermore, pine-like slopes descend to the sea, where the white-blue waves kiss blissfully the golden beaches of the island. Karpathos beaches is best part of the island: wind protected, clean, most of them virgin and full of promises:
“At Lastos I will ascend, on the highest ridge, to see your coasts that are unique among all islands.”
The variety, contrast and harmony of lines, volumes and colors make up the unparalleled charm of Karpathos, making it one of the most beautiful islands in Greece.
