The beautiful capital of Karpathos island, Pigadia (Karpathos town, Κάρπαθος) is an amazing small town in Greece with charming port, picturesque promenade, great taverns, coffee bars, supermarkets and souvenir stores. Pigadia is also the largest town in Karpathos, which offer the most tourist services for visitors in the island.
Where to find Pigadia in Karpathos island, and how to get there
Pigadia is located on the southeastern side of Karpathos, situated directly next to a wide natural bay. The airport of Karpathos is located quite near, which can be find just about 14 kilometers away. From Karpathos airport to Pigadia visitors can travel by taxi service, local buses or rented cars, the trip takes about 20-25′ minutes. Pigadia (Karpathos town) has also a large port, which port connects Karpathos with other islands of Greece such as Kasos, Rhodes, or Crete.
Travel guide to Pigadia (Karpathos town, Κάρπαθος)
Pigadia is usually known as Karpathos town (Κάρπαθος in Greek) also, named after the island. Due to historical reasons in Greece there are several islands, which have the same name as the largest towns, such as Rhodes, Kos, Mykonos, Lefkada, Corfu or Zakynthos. Pigadia got its interesting name from the springs of the surrounding mountains, because Pigadia means ‘springs’ in Greek language.
The capital of Karpathos island owns a long history, because Pigadia was built on the ruins of Potideon, one of the most important ancient cities in Karpathos island. Potideon fluorished thousands years ago, and was a leading village of the area with a fleet of ships, significant economy and religious life.
The population of Pigadia is 2707 (according to census 2011), which increases significant during summer months due to the tourists who spend their holiday here. Pigadia (Karpathos town) is the beating heart of the island, which offers the widest range of touristic services such as a lot of apartments, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, souvenir shops, car rental agencies and much more. The houses of the town were built on a slope of a hill, and are filled with charming streets and narrow alleys, with a feeling of a picturesque old town. Most of the tourists who arrive to Karpathos by travel agencies, stay in the area of Pigadia for its decent location and a lot of services.
In overall Pigadia is one of the best places to explore Karpathos island, because it’s location makes it ideal to discover the south regions and the north area relatively quick and easy.
Just click here for the apartments, studios and best hotels in Pigadia (Karpathos town), where you can read the reviews, watch the photos and book in advance. (don’t worry, link opens in new window)
What to find in Pigadia
Pigadia is the primary center of important services in Karpathos island, and there can be found hospital, post office, bank, police station, local bus station, taxi station. The largest supermarkets and bakeries of the island awaiting for customers in this town, and there are several souvenir- and clothing stores, pharmacies, groceries for the everyday needs, which serves the locals and the tourists both. The largest and most important port in Karpathos is also situated in Pigadia, which can be used for large ferries, medium-sized excursion boats and yachts, and of course for small fishing boats. The ferries connect Karpathos with other Greek islands and with the mainland of Greece.
The center of Pigadia is a really friendly and attractive place, where colorful houses, beautiful balconies, fountains and flowers give interesting charm to the streets. There are a lot of places which offer great panoramic views to the port also, one of the most beautiful places of the town.
If we arrive to Pigadia by car, we can park next to the streets where it is allowed, or just find one of the free public parkings for vehicles. It’s important information that most of the streets are quite narrow here, most of these are filled with the local people’s cars. For parking in Pigadia the recommended solution is to find a public parking lot.
The best sights and attractions in Pigadia, Karpathos
The largest town of Karpathos offer for its visitors several sights and attractions which worth a visit, and most of these are not far from each other. In the center, near the sea there is a large building which is usually painted to yellow, the Town Hall of Karpathos island (Eparchio Karpathou, Επαρχείο Καρπάθου).
The Town Hall, or the Eparchio is a historical monument, which was built by the Italians, when the island was controlled by them between 1926 – 1936. Directly next to the building, in its northwest wing there can be find the small museum of Pigadia, which is dedicated to the archeology.
This is where the Archaeological Museum of Karpathos (Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Καρπάθου) opened its gates, showing pieces from the ancient eras of Karpathos. The museum of Pigadia is quite small, but it hosts the most important archeological findings of the island. Near the museum and the Town Hall there is a small square, which got its name after the Greek prime minister Alexandros Papagos (Αλέξανδρος Παπάγος).
The open-air theater of Karpathos is ‘Poseidonion’ is also situated here, where several musical events and dance performances are taken during summer months, to the great delight of the audience.
In the outskirts of Pigadia archeologists discovered the ancient ruins of Agia Fotini, which dates from the late 5th century. The chapel of Agia Fotini (Αγία Φωτεινή) is one of the few remarkable sights from the past, which still can be seen in Karpathos. Its marble columns, rock carvings and the foundation of the buildings are surrounded by a fence. It’s very easy to find, because is situated directly next to the main road which leads to the north from Pigadia, in the direction of Aperi and Olymbos.
Other interesting sight near Pigadia is the small cave of Poseidon, known as ‘Poseidon’s Temple’. The cave was used in the ancient times by the priests of Poseidon, a god of the sea from Greek mythology. To visit the most famous cave of Karpathos we must leave Pigadia, but it is just about 1,5 kilometer from the center of the town.
About the port of Pigadia
The primary port of Karpathos (Pigadia port, Λιμάνι Καρπάθου) is located in the heart of the town, in front of the interesting rocky hillside. The ferries from other Greek islands, such as from Rhodes or Crete arrive here, and after a short stop the ships continue their journey. This is the place in Pigadia where you can find the excursion boats, which offer daily boat trips for tourists.
The excursion boats of Pigadia visit the most famous beaches of Karpathos island, and travellers can sail to the beautiful Apella beach, Achata beach, Kyra Panagia beach, and the tiny Saria island is one of the favourite destinations also. Most of the excursion boats depart in the morning hours, and only returns in late afternoon, offering all day long trips. The actual schedules of the boat trips are posted at nights in front of the ships, or just ask one of the local tourist offices in Pigadia.
The inner side of the port is well protected with breakwaters, this dock is used by small fishing boats primarily. There is another port in Pigadia, which is located next to the Town Hall, in front of the Archeological Museum of Karpathos. This is a much smaller facility than the main port in the center, because it operates as a ship repair, and it is used by fishing boats. Karpathos diving center is situated behind the small port, so if you are interested about diving possibilities, just ask these guys.
Another important sight of Pigadia can be find behind this tiny port, where visitors can meet the Captain Konstantinos Iliakis Monument (Μνημείο Σμηναγού Κώστα Ηλιάκη). This is a small monument, which is dedicated to a tragically deceased aircraft captain.
The promenade and the pedestrian streets
The promenades of Pigadia are situated between the Town Hall and the large port. This part of Karpathos town is filled with restaurants, coffee bars, souvenir stores, tourist offices, candy stores, etc, and this is the most bustling place in the evenings.
Most of the streets in the center are narrow alleys for pedestrian traffic, where the cars don’t allowed to drive. The port road can be used during daytime, but in the evenings it is closed for traffic.
During summer evenings, especially in the high season months of July and August the streets of Pigadia are filled with walking tourists, the promenade is visited by hundreds of travellers and locals every day. The views of the port with its emerald waters and the colorful houses of Pigadia are so charming, which make this town one of the most beloved capitals in Dodecanese islands, and also in Greece.
The gift shops offer a lot of Greek souvenirs, many of these are made in Karpathos island, but there can be find also the most common plastic gifts also. If you would like to buy a gift which was made in Karpathos, just ask the seller or watch carefully the labels of the items.
On the pedestrian street there are also tourist offices, where boats trips, adventure programs, tickets can be purchased.
The nightlife of Pigadia
The nightlife of Karpathos town is much calmer than several other Greek islands, such as Rhodes town (Rodos), or town large towns of Crete, but it’s not boring either. So if you spend your holiday in Karpathos island in other village but you want some hustle and bustle, just visit
Pigadia. Most of the stores, restaurants, bars and gift shops are open till late night, so there is no need to rush anywhere.
Most of the local events are held in the open air theater, during summer nights visitors can catch a musical show or a small gathering here. These local shows are often advertised on billboards and posters. In the evenings the restaurants and coffee bars fill up with guests, there are some taverns wich are always full during the weeks of high season.
What you should know about Pigadia beach
The long beach of Pigadia is located in the north outskirts, which is just a few minutes walk from the center. The nearest parts of Pigadia beach are well organized, these are very popular beaches in Karpathos due to the several hotels and apartments of the area. The biggest hotels of the island were built in this place, such as the famous Alimounda Mare Hotel or Konstantinos Palace hotel.
Most of the people call the entire long bay as Pigadia beach, but it is also usually known as sections of Limniatis beach, Afoti beach, and Vrontis beach. These names depend from the distance to Pigadia, but the characteristics of these areas are quite similar. In front of the sea there are the lines of parasols and sunbeds, with some hotels, apartments and beach bars behind.
The bay of Pigadia is one of the largest natural bays in Karpathos island with a length of 4 kilometers, therefore when the nearest parts are crowded, a little further away there can be find slightly secluded areas to enjoy the beach without a lot of people. The coastline deepens moderate here, and covered by coarse sand and pebbles. The coast may be windy and sometimes there are waves also.
Where to stay in Pigadia? Apartments and hotels
The area of Karpathos town offers the most accomodations in the island, just click the link below to see the hotels, apartments and studios. The largest hotels and apartments of Karpathos island were built in the outskirts of Pigadia, especially in the north area. Some of these accommodations are situated near the main road, some of these are in the center, and there are also apartments and hotels with a beachfront.
Click here and take a look all the apartments, hotels and studios of Pigadia, with photos and the real guest reviews (dont’ worry, opens in a new window). If you find your favourite, book it.
If you would like to know what are the most recommended apartments and hotels, top picks in Karpathos town, just click the links below. The 5 stars hotels of Karpathos island are situated here, Alimounda Mare Hotel and Konstantinos Palace Hotel, both can be find near Pigadia beach.
Hotels of Karpathos town
Recommended apartments, studios in Karpathos town
For all the accommodations of Pigadia, and of course for the photos and guest reviews of apartments and hotels just click here! (opens in new window).
Why visit Pigadia in Karpathos island?
When you visit Karpathos island, a trip to Pigadia is definitely recommended, no matter where you stay on the island. Just feel the charm of the largest town of the island, take a look to the panoramic views of the port, and discover the picturesque streets. Don’t forget the daily boat trips and excursions, and sail to the best beaches of Karpathos island, or just take a walk in the heart of Karpathos, and you will like it.
Pigadia additional info
- Location: 14 kilometers to Karpathos airport (AOK)
- Coordinates: 35.506817, 27.212014
- Population: 2707 (census 2011)
- Can be accessed via asphalt road
Pigadia Karpathos Κάρπαθος 857 00 Greece
