APERI

Aperi is situated at an altitude of 320 m., on the slope of Mount Hamali, in a green area. A noble village with tremendous cultural growth, it was the old capital of Karpathos, now serving us the home-base for the Archbishop of Karpathos and Kassos. The village consists of three districts, with local houses resembling Americans farmhouses, since many locals -emigrant to the USA- returned to their village, bringing their wealth and making Aperi one of the richest villages in Greece. The village's site is at Koraki, the peak of the hill above the village. Before the beach of Ahata, one can see the ruins of an ancient temple, while in Volada, there are ruins of three castles built in 3,000 BC.

DIAFANI

The small seaside settlement of Diafani is situated 70 km northwest of Hora. The harbour of Olimbos was discovered by the Olimbians in 1850 and has served as a centre for supplies ever since. The village has become a resort, with houses to rent, tavernas and coffee shops, while the beach is one of the best on the island. In this area, one can admire the two churches with the red slate domes. A Mycenaean tomb was found 500 m. southeast of the area and the findings are exhibited in the British Museum.

KARPATHOS

Karpathos (alias Pigadia) is the capital and the main port of the island, with a population of 2,500 inhabitants. Many historians have identified Karpathos with the ancient harbor of Pitied (alias Posidio). On the left side of the port's entrance stands the rock with the ruins of the ancient Acropoles, while around it, one can admire the traditional houses built by the Greeks influenced by the emigration to the USA. Epirotians were in the majority. In the centre of the town, one can find all the public services of the island; the banks, the office of Olympic Airways, the building of the Phone Company and the Post Office, as well as various stores fulfilling every visitor's wishes. The town's site is Vounos, the Acropoles of ancient Posidio is east of the port, and in the location of Afoti, one can see the ruins of the paleo-christian basilica of Agia Fotini. In the location of Mili, one can admire the cave of Neptune, a monumental tomb.

MENETES

Menetes, the cleanest village of Karpathos, is situated 8 km southwest of the port of Hora. All over the village, there are signs demanding that visitors keep the village clean, while those who break the ru-le have to pay a fine. The white houses, built along the road, are beautiful with yellow and blue windows and lots of flowers. The musicians and instrument players of Karpathos come from Menetes, as the area has had ties to Crete ever since ancient years. The sites of the village are the central church of the Assumption, the Byzantine church of Agios Mamas and Agios Antonios and the archaeological collection consisting of findings from the area.

OLIMBOS

Olimbos (or Elimbos) is the northern most village of Karpathos, situated 63 km northwest of Hora. The village was established in the 10th century, its construction was finished in the 15th century and it was the safest refuge on the island during pirate raids due to its inaccessible location. The house with vivid exterior colours and beautifully decorated interiors are built with precision, and every house has a chapel and a mill. The 300 inhabitants are self-supported, and they maintain the customs of their daily life. They always wear traditional dress, while the local dialect is characterised by Doric idioms. The "Live Museum" of Olimbos includes the ancient Vrikous (5th century BC), the church of the Virgin Mary (16th century) and the chapels of Panagia Chrissovalandos, Agios Onoufrios and Agia Triada.

OTHOS

The mountainous village of Othos is situated on the highest point of Karpathos (500 m. altitude), sometimes giving one the impression that they are surrounded by the clouds. Othos has a population of 300 inhabitants and is situated 12 km. northwest of Pigadia. The lower part of the houses is painted lilac while the upper part is painted white. This combination creates a scenery of unique beauty. Othos is famous for its traditional feasts and tavernas. The village organizes 8-10 celebrations per year, the most significant being that of Agios Pandeleimon, which lasts three days and attracts all the island's inhabitants.