The small village of Karpathos is also known as Kipi Afiarti or Κήποι Αφιαρτη in Greek, and it is southernmost village in the island. Afiartis is recommended especially for windsurfers, because the beaches of the area are quite windy and offer the best surfing options.
Where is Afiartis (Kipi Afiarti) located in Karpathos?
Afiartis is located just 2 kilometers away from Karpathos airport and 13 km south from the capital of the island, Pigadia. The small village has very easy access, because it is located directly next to the main road between the airport and Amoopi. On the maps you can meet the village sometimes named as Kipi Afiarti or Κήποι Αφιαρτη, but don’t get confused, it’s the same settlement in Karpathos island.
What to do and what to see in Afiartis
The atmospheres of the south region in Karpathos island are very calm, where also Afiartis (Kipi Afiarti) is also located. The airport of Karpathos is near, but it’s not desturbing, the traffic of the airport is quite low. In Afiartis there were built just a few houses, you can find mostly some apartments and small hotels in this area. The scenery of Afiartis is barren, due to the special climate of this region, which is usually dry and sunny.
The area of Afiartis is surprisingly flat, the contrast is high compared to other landscapes of Karpathos island, because we can’t find steep cliffs, mountains or hills here. Worth to know that this southern area is the most flatten land in Karpathos island, it looks like almost plains. This flat landscape is the main reason, why the airport of Karpathos was built here several years ago.
Best surf spot in Karpathos island
Kipi Afiarti is a known well as the best windsurf spot in Karpathos island, due to a special wind of the surrounding bays. This place is one the most popular destination for windsurfers in Greece, from rookies to professional. There are three larger bays, where surfers can practice, and where championships are usually taken. If we visit Afiartis from June to mid September, we can see the surfers in the sea, sailing usually with high speed.
There are also surf clubs, where surfing equipment can be rent, and of course some beach bars. The local surf clubs are Meltemi Windsurfing Karpathos, Baja Bar & Windsurfing station these are signed on the beaches of Afiartis.
About the beaches of Afiartis
The beaches of Afiartis are primarily recommended for surfing, and due to the usually strong winds these are not the best places for swimming or sunbathing. The most sandy beach with less wind is situated near the airport, which is a shallow bay with calm waters. This is called ‘Chicken Bay’, and this is also the place where the beginners can practice surfing. We can find here Baja Bar & Windsurfing station and Barba Minas Taverna.
The other beaches in Afiartis Karpathos are called Vatha beach (Paralia Vatha or Παραλία Βαθα, and also known as Devil’s bay) in the north, and Gun bay in the middle. These beaches are filled with coarse sand and pebbles, with some flat slippery rocks at some places – be careful when you go into the sea. The wind is usually blow strong at these two places, so swimming or snorkeling is not suitable.
Why visit Afiartis (Kipi Afiarti)
During summer months Afiartis, or Kipi Afiarti is the beating heart of the windsurfer community in Karpathos island. If you would like to see how fast can sail the windsurfers here, just visit this spot to catch them! Near Afiartis we can find the international airport of Karpathos, where domestic flights and charters arrive from several countries.
In the area there is a famous lagoon of Karpathos, which is listed among the best beaches of the island, called Diakoftis beach. The shallow lagoon offers white sand and turquise waters for visitors. There is an another surf spot in the area where kitesurfers can practice, which is Agrilaopotamos beach.
Where to stay, apartments and hotels
The apartments in Afiartis are offered not just for surfers, but most of the guests are addicted to surf. If you would like to stay in the area, just click the links and check these great accommodations, read the reviews and pick your favourite. For accommodations of Karpathos island just click here!
Afiartis (Kipi Afiarti) additional info
- Location / where to find: 13 kilometers to Pigadia, 2 kilometers from Karpathos airport
- Coordinates: 35.436660, 27.152017
- Can be accessed via asphalt road
- Taverns, coffee bars, surfing equipment rental
Kipi Afiarti Κήποι Αφιαρτη 857 00 Greece
