Discover everything about Apella Beach (Παραλία Απέλλ) in Karpathos, Greece: learn how to get there, parking tips, insider advice, snorkeling spots, facilities, best time to visit, and hidden secrets in this complete travel guide!
- Also known as: Apela beach, Paralia Apella, Παραλία Απέλλα
| Feature | Details |
| Location | East Coast of Karpathos, Greece (18 km north of Pigadia) |
| Beach Type | White and grey sand mixed with pebbles |
| Water Depth | Deepens quickly (caution advised for younger kids) |
| Amenities | Sunbeds & umbrellas for rent (€20/set), beach taverna |
| Best For | Snorkeling, swimming, cliff photography, and nature lovers |
| Mobile Signal | Spotty to nonexistent down on the shore |
As many famous Karpathos beaches, Apella still feels wild and natural place. There are no hotels directly on the beach, no loud beach clubs, and no overdevelopment, just spectacular scenery, crystal-clear waters and a peaceful atmosphere.
Whether you’re visiting Karpathos for a few days or spending a week or more to explore the island, Apella beach deserves a place at the very top of your bucket list! We collected all the informations, which you need to know before a visit – now let’s begin our massive guide!
Where to find Apella beach in Karpathos Island, and how to get there
Apella beach (Paralia Apella, or Παραλία Απέλλα in Greek language) is located on the east coast of Karpathos island, about 20 kilometers away from Pigadia and 32 kilometers away from the airport. The area of this great beach offers one of the most mountanious and scenic routes, which is famous for its amazing panoramic views and lookout points.
There are several options to visit Apella beach, because it can be reached by car, by motorbicycle or by daily boat trips either, each of these offer quite different experiences.
How to travel to Apella beach by car
If you would like to admire the best views to Apella beach from the heights, it is recommended to arrive by car, by scooter or by quad. The main road which leads here is winding, but wide enough for the cars and for the local traffic. The route which leads to Apella beach is one of the most beautiful areas in Karpathos, especially between Kyra Panagia village and Spoa.
This road section was built in a height of 200 to 300 meters above sea level, leads in the side of the high mountains, and offer exceptional views to the Aegean Sea and to the mountains of Karpathos island both. If you arrive from south, the direction of Pigadia, you will meet the best lookout point to Apella beach direcly next to the main road.
Most of Apella beach photos are taken here, because there can be seen not just the beach, but the entire coastline 3 kilometers long. The final road section, which lead down to the beach is well signed, but the road gets much narrow, so you have to pay attention for the last kilometers.
If you are lucky and there is no traffic at that time, even on the last section there are also some great panoramic views, where the entire beach can seen from behind. The parking lot of Apella beach is located about 2 kilometers away from the junction of the main road, where the cars, bikes and quads can be parked beside the road.
The end of the road may be crowded with cars during high season weeks, so it’s worth to arrive in the morning hours. From the parking lot you have to walk down on some stairs and climb across some large rocks, but that’s all, you have arrived to the magical Apella beach, a breathtaking gem of Karpathos, Greece!
Driving Route
Pigadia → Main Coastal Road → Apella Junction → beach parking
The road is completely paved, driving time: around 40 minutes.
How to reach Apella beach by boat trips
The other way to visit Apella beach in Karpathos island is to catch a daily boat trip, which depart from the port of Pigadia in the morning hours. The largest excursion boats in Pigadia always offer daily boat trips to this exceptional beach during the summer months, just walk around the port in the evenings or just ask one of the local tour guides or tourist offices.
Unlike some other beaches most of the boats dock at small pier, so guests of the excursion boats can disembark, not just swim on the open sea around the boat. The excursion boats which visit Apella beach, spend 2-3 hours here, and after that, the captain sails to another amazing local beach of Karpathos Island.
Advantages of boat trips:
- No parking stress
- Incredible coastal views
- Swimming stops
- Great angles for photographers
Best features of Apella beach
The scenery of Apella beach (Παραλία Απέλλα) is breathtaking, beause the beach is surrounded by high mountains, steep cliffs, giant rocks, and lush vegetation. Behind the beach there is a pine forest and some tamarisk trees, which offer natural shade for the first visitors. The charm of the area is amazing, many people think it’s just like on postcards or paintings.
When the sea surface is calm and there are no waves, the water is incredibly clean here, with millions of emerald and turquise colors. The marine life of the seabed is usually vibrant, Apella beach is one of the best places in Karpathos for diving and snorkeling. The seabed is filled with coarse sand and pebbles, making ideal conditions for snorkel.
As you see on the photos and also you will see in real life, Apella beach is one of the largest beaches of Karpathos island. The shore is wide and long, and usually it is enough for most of the visitors even during high season periods.
The area of the beach is organized with parasols and sunbeds, which can be rented for all day long.
Behind the beach there are some natural shade under the pines, but these places are quite popular and fills up in the morning hours.
Good to know: approx between 4 pm and 5 pm the sun goes slowly behind the mountains, and the backside of the beach slowly falls into shade.
Where to eat and drink: a local restaurant
The only restaurant is situated near to the entrance, and offer hot meals and cold drinks: it is called Apella Taverna (Ταβέρνα Άπελλα). For its access from the beach you have to climb some stairs to reach the restaurant, because it was built on a hill.
The local restaurant is the only facility here, there are no beach bars or other taverns near the shore.
Where to find a secret cove of Apella
On the southern site of Apella beach there is a small secluded bay, it is well hidden from the crowds. The only way to reach this tiny beach is a narrow hiking trail that leads on the southern hillside. This hidden gem is called on maps just simply as Small Apella, or as Mikri Apella.
Wind conditions of Apella
Apella beach is not so well protected from the strong winds than some other beaches of Karpathos, but it is not always windy. Usually the strength of the wind can be seen from above, just stop your vehicle at the famous lookout point on the way to the beach, and watch the waves of the sea surface. When you see clearly the waves on the blue sea, the wind blows on the beach too, but when the sea surface looks like calm, there are no significant winds on the beach.
From this lookout point you can see an another interesting beach of Karpathos, which can be reached only by boat, and as visitors say it is a hidden gem. This beach is called Vasilis Paradise beach and it is situated just a few hundred meters away from the north part of Apella.
Final Thoughts
Apella beach is definitely one of the best beaches in Karpathos island, and also in Greece. The area of the beach is a beautiful postcard that comes to life, and make your time here unforgettable.
It can be accessed by car or by boat both, and despite it’s organized area it looks like almost untouched. If you spend your holiday on the island, don’t miss to visit the amazing Apella beach in Karpathos!
Other additional info
- Sea water color: turquoise, emerald, blue
- Coordinates: 35.604541, 27.156564
- Sand type: coarse sand, pebbles, some rocks
- Depth: normal
- Sea surface: usually calm
- Crowds: can be crowded in high season
- Accessibility: asphalt road, by car and by daily boat excursions
- Wind conditions: sometimes windy
- Beaches nearby: Vasilis Paradise beach (1 km, access only by boat), Kyra Panagia beach (14 km), Agios Nikolaos beach of Spoa (12 km)
Photos
Some of our photos and images of Apella beach in Karpathos Island, which introduce the beauty of this magical place for travellers.
Secret Tips Most Visitors Don’t Know
1. Stop at the Viewpoint
Before reaching the beach, don’t forget the panoramic viewpoint overlooking the entire bay. It is one of the best photography locations on Karpathos Island.
2. Visit Before Tourist Boats Arrive
Apella beach is always quiet early in the morning. Boat excursions usually arrive later, making the early hours ideal for photography and peaceful swimming.
3. Walk Along the Rocks
The edges of the bay reveal different perspectives and some quieter spots, but take care on slippery surfaces.
4. Look for the Chapel
Near the access road you’ll find the historic rock-built Agios Loukas chapel, a small but memorable stop with beautiful views.
Insider Advice
Avoid Midday Arrival
Between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, parking is often at its busiest.
Always drive carefully here
The mountain roads near the beach are narrow, with many sharp bends. Allow local drivers to pass when safe.
Check the Wind Forecast
Strong easterly winds can affect swimming conditions. On windy days, consider visiting a more sheltered beach instead.
Photography Tips
Best photo times:
- 11:00–15:00 AM
The elevated viewpoint is ideal for wide-angle landscape shots.
