Karpathos Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Karpathos airport is in the Afiartis area, at the southern tip of the island, 15-17 km and a 20-25 minute taxi ride from Pigadia, the island's only real town. Most visitors still base themselves in Pigadia, where the port, restaurants and almost all facilities are; the few houses near Afiartis itself remain useful only for short stopovers or for those picking up a rental car right after landing.

Afiartis, a few minutes from the terminal

Airport area · About 2 km from the terminal, a few minutes by car; without a rental car you need a taxi, since there's no bus between the airport and the village.

Best for: Travellers arriving late or leaving at dawn who would rather avoid the 15-17 km drive to Pigadia, or anyone with a connecting flight to Kassos.

Pros

Just a few minutes from check-in, handy for the earliest morning flights
Christou Pigadi and Vatha beaches are within walking distance

Cons

Tiny village: a car is needed for dinner or evening life
Pigadia, the port and the shops are a 20-25 minute taxi ride away

Recommended hotels in this area

Afiartis Avli House: House with garden and sea-view terrace in Kipi Afiartis, about 2 km from the airport; a few minutes' walk from Christou Pigadi and Vatha beaches.

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Pigadia, the main town

City centre · 15-17 km from the airport, a 20-25 minute taxi ride (around 25-30 euros by day, 35-40 at night); there are no direct buses from the airport.

Best for: Travellers who want the port, restaurants and ferry connections to the nearby islands within walking distance.

Pros

The island's only real town, with a port, shops and restaurants open all year
Pigadia beach and the archaeological museum are a few minutes' walk from the hotels in the centre

Cons

The ride from the airport is the longest of any area in this guide, 20-25 minutes even by taxi
Away from the waterfront, the rest of the town holds little tourist interest

Recommended hotels in this area

Atlantis Hotel: On Pigadia's waterfront street, a few steps from the beach and the port; a simple, central hotel, among the cheapest in the area.
Alimounda Mare Hotel: 255 rooms and suites on a small cove a few minutes' walk from the port and the centre of Pigadia; the largest and newest building on the town's waterfront.

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