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Kythira or Karpathos

So I've narrowed down my selections for my next trip to Greece, and they happen to be at opposite ends of the country. I'd love to hear from someone who has been to both islands. I have been to Greece three times to Patmos, Symi and Astypalea, all smaller islands with beautiful chorae. I'm attracted to the rugged beauty of Karpathos, particularly its beaches, but its main town doesn't look so great. I understand that beyond the main town (which is full of tourists) the island is very sleepy and traditional. While I would love to see that, I enjoyed the handful of fashionable shops, pretty architecture, and excellent food on the three islands I've visited so far. I like islands with a small, relaxed but stylish community of expats or transplants from Athens. It seems Kythira offers more of that. If the landscape and beaches are that much more staggeringly beautiful on Karpathos, I'd go there. Never having visited a greener Ionian island though, I might be equally impressed by Kythira. I wonder which island actually gets more tourists. Thoughts?

added: I saw a video of a boat unloading a group of hundreds of fat northern europeans onto one of those pretty Karpathos beaches - apella i think. Hopefully there are more options, but it seems like there are only a few sheltered spots on the east coast. I don't care how nice the beaches are. If it's that much more crowded on karpathos it would definitely steer me to kythira.

Posted by
1152 posts

I also am interested in those islands. From lots of research and questions on various travel forums I believe Kythira would be the better option. Nothing wrong with Karpathos but it appears Kythira would fit me and maybe you. My first choice would be Kythira.

It depends on when you are going. I travel to Greece in October and most islands and the mainland will have far less tourists so I think either island would be good as an alternative to some of the "Big Name" islands.

Websites for Kythira: https://visitkythera.com/

Here's a nice one if you want accommodations in non-touristy areas: https://www.pyrgoshouse.com/

Here's a nice one for Karpathos: https://karpathosinfo.com/

Posted by
8293 posts

"I saw a video of a boat unloading a group of hundreds of fat northern europeans ....."

So which bothered you the most ... that they were fat or that they were northern Europeans? Had they been slender Europeans of the southern variety, would that have been OK with you?

Posted by
207 posts

I would recommend Kythira. For one thing, there are several towns and villages that are worth visiting and some absolutely incredible beaches (of course).

The town of Kapsali, though, is very enjoyable, there is a great historic monastery to visit, Panagia Myrtidiotissa, and some great little beach towns that, sure, have a fair amount of tourists but are really fun and many, if not all, of the tourists are Greek people returning to their home island from other countries.

Spiros' boat excursion from Kapsali was lots of fun, the castle there is great to visit, and my favorite beach was Chalkos. That is an extraordinarily amazing beach at which you could spend a full afternoon.

Plus, Kythira is easy to get to from Neapoli Vion and the journey to that point features a great many choices of great places to stop like Monemvasia, Mystras or Gythio.

Here is my best tip: The best Greek island?

The one you're on

Posted by
4 posts

Awesome Will - thanks so much for the recommendation. Just to be clear, have you also been to Karpathos? Also, would you recommend staying in Kythiras chora? Is the island actually greener than Aegean ones? It looks kind of barren in photos.