A visit to the village of Olympos, or Elympos as the locals call it, is a truly unique experience. Here, time has left nothing untouched. For centuries, its incredible natural beauty and the distinctive creations of the island’s architecture have been preserved, turning the village into a living folklore museum.

Olympos is located at the northernmost point of the island. The village is built in a mountainous and remote area. Due to its geographical position and isolation from the other villages on the island, the inhabitants of Olympos have maintained both the character of their village and their traditions intact.

This village was founded about five centuries ago, when a strong earthquake destroyed the coastal town of Vrycunda. Vrycunda had flourished in the classical era and was one of the largest and most powerful cities of Karpathos.

In recent years, Olympos has attracted increasing numbers of tourists, both Greek and foreign, who, fascinated by its uniqueness, rush to explore its alleys, meet the hospitable locals, and immerse themselves in the mysterious atmosphere that this special place exudes.

Apart from the well-preserved traditional houses, visitors are impressed by the picturesque stone windmills and the old churches, such as Panagia, dating back to the 16th century, Agios Onoufrios, and Panagia Chrysovalantou.

In addition, you can visit the Museum of the folk artist Vassiliou Hadjivassilis, and the site of Ancient Vrykus, where the ruins from the 4th century are preserved.

Two kilometres from Olympos lies Vlona, one of the most traditional rural settlements in Greece. Here, visitors can go back in time and see how the farmers of Karpathos lived and cultivated the land.