Car Hire on Karpathos Island

About Karpathos

Karpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands. It lies in the southeastern Aegean Sea and, together with the smaller neighboring island of Saria, forms the municipality of Karpathos, which is part of the regional entity of Karpathos. The main town of the island is Pigádhia, which is located in the southern part of Karpathos.

This is truly a hidden gem of the Dodecanese. Karpathos has a long and rich history with many different nations and religions dominating the island in the past. Today, the highlight of the island is undoubtedly the wild, untouched nature and the many historical remains. In addition, there are some amazing mountain villages where you can meet locals and experience a unique culture that is different from other parts of Greece. There are also many local festivals with lots of music, good food, and excellent wine. This is the perfect opportunity to learn about the traditions of this island.

All this, along with the clear turquoise waters and great beaches, makes Karpathos a perfect vacation destination. The best way to get around the island is to rent a car and explore at your own pace. Buckle up and drive safely!

Basic info and car hire on Karpathos

• Location: Dodecanese, Greece
• Population: 6,226
• Official language: Greek
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Karpathos has a Mediterranean climate  
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads on Karpathos Island are in good condition.
• Car hire on Karpathos : The most common pick-up point for vehicles on Karpathos Island is at Karpathos airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks before your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire on Karpathos Island!

 Driving on Karpathos

Renting a car is the best solution on Karpathos if you want to explore the island properly. The roads are in good condition and traffic is quite light, so you will not be stuck in traffic jams for hours. There are many mountain roads where you can enjoy wonderful views. Please note that you must stop at safe places if you want to take a photo. Do not stop your vehicle in the middle of the road. It is good to know that in some areas it is quite windy and the wind can be quite strong, so you need to be extra careful, especially when you leave your car.

The fines for breaking the laws and regulations are severe and expensive. Running a red light or ignoring a stop sign will cost you 700 euros. Not wearing a seatbelt in a car is punishable by 350 euros. Talking on a mobile phone without a hands-free device is punishable by 100 euros. Driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by a fine of between 200 and 1200 euros and a likely driving license suspension of between 10 days and six months, depending on how much the breathalyzer test reveals.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Greece is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old, and some rental companies for people over 75 years old. Young driver surcharges may apply to those under 25 with many rental companies.
• International Driving Permit:  Visitors need a valid driving license to drive a car in Greece legally. Drivers of motorcycles up to 125cc must be at least 18 years old, while drivers of mopeds (up to 50cc) must be at least 16 years old. Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. With an International Driving Permit (IDP), you can legally drive in Greece and 174 other countries and present your valid driver's license. Only two organizations issue IDPs in the US: Automobile Association of America (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), and you can order it online if there is no office near you.
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company if your policy does not cover you when driving in Greece). 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle (mandatory in every vehicle), headlight deflectors (for cars from UK. Depending on the vehicle, you may either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually), fire extinguisher (mandatory in every car), first aid kit (mandatory in every car), warning triangles, spare wheels are required, and hands-free devices with hearing aids if you are talking on the phone while driving. 
• Children in the car:  A suitable child seat must fit or children under three years of age. Local authorities approve child restraint systems that comply with the ECE R44/03 standard. A suitable child seat should also be used for children between 3 and 11 years of age smaller than 1.35 meters. Adult seat belts are already approved for children over 12 years of age and over 1.35 meters tall. If you wish to fit a rear-facing child seat, you may do so because the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights: In poor daytime visibility, use low beam headlights. The use of high beams in cities is strictly prohibited.  
• General speed limits: Unless otherwise stated, the maximum speed on the motorway is 120 km per hour. On rural roads, you may drive 110 km/68 mi per hour. In residential areas, the speed limit is 50 km/31 mi per hour.
• Parking suggestions: Parking is not allowed in Greece: Within 5 meters (m) of intersections, within 15m of railway crossings, within 15m of bus and tram stops, within 3m of a fire hydrant, within 5m of a stop sign, or traffic light. In some streets, signs indicate which side of the road to park on. Parking fees vary from city to city, with meters usually operating between 30 minutes and two hours. In Athens, particular parking areas are reserved for tourists. EU disability cards should be recognized in Greece. However, to be on the safe side, you should apply for a card from the Institute for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People in Athens or from local prefects in other provinces.

What to see on Karpathos

Karpathos is a great destination for different types of travelers. There are so many different things to see and do that everyone can find something for themselves. The best way to explore the island is to rent a car and drive around. You will find some amazing places like caves, cliffs, ancient remains, etc.

If you like windsurfing, you should visit the Afiartis region as the winds there are perfect for this sport. You can also learn windsurfing there as there are many windsurfing schools.

There are also some picturesque villages on the island that you should not miss. For example Pigadia, Olympos, Menethes, Othos, Diafani, Finiki, Lefkos, Aperi, Arkansas, Piles, Volasa, Mesochori...

Beaches you should visit: Apella beach, Achata beach, Kyra Panagia beach, Mikri Amopi beach, Megali Amopi & Pera Ammos beach, Diakoftis beach, Arkassa beach, Votsalakia beach, Lefkos beach, Finiki beach, Afoti beach, Agios Nikolaos beach, Damatri beach, Christou Pigadi beach, Psoraris beach, Valias beach, Vrontis beach, Kastelia beach.

Drive your rental car beyond Karpathos

There are so many fantastic places to visit in this country that you will simply enjoy a trip around Greece. The roads are mostly in very good condition, so you will have to think carefully about which parts of the country you want to explore.

Greece or many would say the cradle of western civilization, is the southernmost country in the Balkan Peninsula. This perfectly situated country of over 2000 islands, around 170 of which are inhabited, has access to the whole world via the sea and also has a beautiful inland area full of mountains and volcanic soil, a rich culture, many historical and religious sites, delicious food and genuinely nice people - a place that every person should visit at least once in their lifetime. There are so many different things to see and do here that you are sure to find something for yourself.

If you are planning a holiday to Greece, you should make a good plan. A rental car is the best solution if you want to explore the country to see different places, try different foods and meet different people from different parts of Greece. First, you need to decide if you want to explore the islands or if you are more interested in the interior. For both options, there are plenty of activities you can do and plenty of sights you can visit.

Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the cities you should visit if you are planning a road trip through Greece. Athens is something very different from Karpathos, but no less interesting and exciting. Greece is a country that is a mixture of Europe, the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. It sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa and is the legacy of classical Greece, the Byzantine Empire, and almost four centuries of Ottoman rule. All this gives the country a great religious, cultural, architectural, and also political background that contributes to the diversity of the country.

The size of the country is equal to that of Britain and it is divided into six main regions: Central Greece: the Píndos Mountains, North-Eastern Greece: Makedonía and Thráki, Eastern Greece: Thessalía and Attikí, Southern Greece: the Pelopónnisos, Western Greece: Ípeiros and Akarnanía, The Islands of Greece. Each of these regions has something to offer you. It is best to rent a car and explore region by region. You will need time to explore this country well, so it may be best to explore the regions one by one. The roads in Greece are in good condition, the people are friendly, the country is beautiful, the food is delicious and the sights are breathtaking, so all you have to do is buckle up and drive safely.

Where to eat, drink, and party on Karpathos

Karpathos has a lot to offer if you are looking for culinary experiences. All over the island, there are many different restaurants and tavernas offering different menus. You can enjoy the fantastic local cuisine and try delicious fish and seafood, or you can go to a restaurant where you can enjoy food from other parts of the world.

If you are looking for nightlife on the island, you will find it in the port of Pigadia. On the main promenade, there are some bars and clubs that are open until late in the summer months.

Best restaurant on Karpathos

Edem Garden Restaurant

Ratatouille

Thalassa

To Votsalo

Acropolis

Dramountana