Astipalaia is a remote island, thus it doesn't attracting swarms of tourists. Nevertheless, every visitor here is invited to the local feasts and splendid celebrations. The most significant feast of the island takes place on August 15, at the church of Panagia Portaitissa, where the three-day celebration is organized with municipal competition, the "Koukania" and the feeding of yogurt, during which the locals, blind-fold and feed each other with yogurt. The island's cultural council, with the co-operation of local groups, organizes several events, including theatrical and musical nights, as well as dances with the traditional costumes of Astipalaia.

Although geographically included in the Dodecanese islands, Astipalaia is characterised by the Cycladean architectural style. The beautiful white houses are small, square and built close to one another. All the houses have external wooden staircases painted green or blue, while many balconies have wooden terraces and the lintels have lace-like ending, an element of the Venetian architectural style. Some of the lintels are painted blue. The traditional houses are admirable for their economy, their utility and their structure, as people and animals share a very limited space. The famous "Krintzola" of the Narkissios Public Library is an authentic sample of the local architectural style.