Karpathos in the Aegean Sea remains one of Greece’s best-kept secrets, offering stunning beaches, warm October temperatures of up to 28C, and flights to Athens available from as little as £50 — making it a perfect autumn escape.
The island is a calm and peaceful one(Image: AscentXmedia via Getty Images)
Tucked away in the southeastern Aegean Sea, Karpathos is a genuine paradise that has somehow slipped beneath the radar of mass tourism — despite sitting within easy reach of some of the Mediterranean’s most visited destinations.
While Santorini and Mykonos buckle under the weight of ever-growing visitor numbers, Karpathos has held on to the kind of peace and character that is fast disappearing elsewhere in Greece. Widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest travel secrets, it offers an authenticity that feels increasingly rare.
With temperatures reaching a very agreeable 28C in October, the island is far more than a peak-summer destination. It makes a compelling choice for anyone keen to stretch the holiday season well into autumn.
Travel specialists at Ekathimerini describe it as a haven steeped in heritage: “Filled with charming villages – with their characteristic whitewashed houses and blue rooftops – Karpathos is a treasure trove of tradition. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be swept into the slower, more authentic rhythm of island life. In places like the mountain village of Olympos, time seems to stand still as the locals proudly preserve age-old customs.”
Karpathos is a little tricky to get to(Image: cunfek via Getty Images)
The coastline is nothing short of spectacular. Pristine sands meet crystal-clear turquoise waters, creating ideal conditions for swimming, snorkelling or spending a lazy day out on a hired boat.
At the heart of it all is Apella Beach, widely considered the island’s crown jewel and a recipient of TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice award. Reviews from visitors paint a vivid picture of why it has earned such acclaim.
“One of the best beaches on Karpathos island. Water is so clean and crystal clear,” wrote one visitor. “It’s a stone beach with a nice view. If you go to the mountain you will get an amazing view of the beautiful beach.”
Another added: “Magnificent colours, plenty of room, peaceful, mountains behind the beach… Can’t believe I’ve been here.”
For those after more active pursuits, the island is laced with walking trails that open up breathtaking landscapes. The most ambitious challenge is the ascent of Kali Limni — the island’s highest peak at 1,215 metres — which rewards the effort with sweeping panoramic views.
Getting to Karpathos takes a little more organisation than booking a standard package holiday, and that extra effort is arguably what keeps the island so unspoilt. There are no direct flights from the UK, meaning travellers will first need to fly into Athens. From birmingham-airport>Birmingham Airport, there are direct flights.
But the waters are pristine and well worth the trip(Image: Freeartist via Getty Images)
The journey from the UK to Athens takes around four hours, and with some flexibility on travel dates, tickets can be found from as little as £44 this month. From Athens, there are two main ways to continue the journey. A connecting flight is the quicker option, though it may involve a stop at another Greek island along the way.
Alternatively, ferries to Karpathos run three times a week, take approximately 17 hours and 35 minutes, and cost around £50 each way.
Once on the island, there is no shortage of places to stay across a range of budgets. A week in a standard studio flat from 5 to 12 May starts at around £266 for two people sharing — just £38 per night, or £19 per person. For a more indulgent stay, Thalasidi Luxury Suites offers a double room with a balcony and sea views for £635 for the same week, while Ypsilos Beach Suites (Adults Only) comes in at £565.
Another option is to fly into Rhodes and connect from there, although those routes still total over eight hours and run infrequently.
