Karpathos is located at the southwestern end of the Dodecanese Prefecture between Rhodes and Crete and is the second largest island in the Prefecture.

Its area, along with the surrounding islets, is 324.7 sq. km. At the northern end of the island there is the islet Saria which has an area of 21 sq.km and is separated from Karpathos with a narrow width of only 100 meters.

It is located between Crete and Rhodes, in the Carpathian Sea, which took its name from antiquity. It is 72 nautical miles from Rhodes and 242 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus.

Karpathos belongs to the island region of South Aegean and holds an important strategic importance due to its location, located at the southernmost tip of the Dodecanese Prefecture. It is the headquarters and center of the Karpathos-Kasos Regional Unit, since it hosts all public services, and almost all commercial activity of the regional unit.

The geographical position of the island is important, because it is a key link of the island bridge that connects Crete with Asia Minor and with its long-sided cormostasis dominates the southeastern gates of the Aegean.

Geomorphologically, Karpathos, along with the island of Saria that belongs to it geopolitically, is one of the most gifted Greek islands.

Limestone rocks form the stromatographic core and determine its morphological character. In some areas, flysch layers grow above the limestone, as well as newer layers of gypsum, travertine, croco-latytopagus and modern deposits.

The variety and color magic of the natural landscape of Karpathos is unique.

Alternations and contrasts are so frequent and unexpected that they leave no room for monotony and boredom.

Mountains high (Lastos 1215 m. altitude, the highest in the Dodecanese) and rough, whose peaks once-once appear snowy. On the mountainsides one can see steep ravines and labyrinthine streams, deep caves endowed with the attractive multi-color stalactites, valleys green and springs with crystal clear waters that are melodic, spreading generously their dew.

“The second paradise the Carpathians have it from ‘having the basilicas and the running waters” 

Still, pine-covered slopes that descend to the sea, where the white-blue wave lazily keeps the golden beaches of the island. The latter is the best Karpathos has to offer: Leeward, clean, virgins the most, full of promises:

“On Lastos I will climb, on the highest ridge, to see your shores from another island.” 

 Variety, contrast and harmony of lines, volumes and colors compose the unparalleled charm of Karpathos, highlighting it as one of the most beautiful islands in Greece.