Karpathos and Nisyros, the far south
The Dodecanese at its least visited. Karpathos supplies mountain villages and a preserved dialect; Nisyros a walkable volcanic caldera. The connection runs via Kos, so build in flexibility.
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Months
- May – October
- Stops
- 3
The route on a map
1 · 2 nights
Pigadia, Karpathos
The island's port and capital, a base for exploring the mountainous north.
2 · 2 nights
Olymbos, Karpathos
A ridge village where older women still wear traditional dress and the dialect keeps ancient Doric forms.
3 · 3 nights
Mandraki, Nisyros
The main village of a small volcanic island, a short walk from the caldera floor.
Day by day
Day 1
Arrive Karpathos
Sleep · Pigadia
Twenty minutes from the airport into Pigadia, and an evening along the harbour front.
Day 2
The eastern beaches
Sleep · Pigadia
A day at Apella and Kyra Panagia, reached by a scenic mountain road.
Day 3
North to Olymbos
Sleep · Olymbos
An hour and a half along the island's spine, arriving in time to see the working windmills and stone ovens.
Day 4
Olymbos and Diafani
Sleep · Olymbos
A morning in the village, then down to the small port of Diafani for lunch by the water.
Day 5
Return south and onward ferry
Sleep · Mandraki, Nisyros
A drive back to Pigadia for the ferry via Kos; a full travel day, best enjoyed as a crossing.
Day 6
The Nisyros caldera
Sleep · Mandraki, Nisyros
A short walk down onto the floor of the active crater at Stefanos, hissing and sulphurous at close range.
Day 7
The hill villages
Sleep · Mandraki, Nisyros
Nikia, built on the caldera's rim, followed by a swim at the island's black-sand beaches.
Day 8
Departure
Departure
A morning ferry to Kos; allow a generous buffer, as sailings are limited to a few per day.