Visiting Greece? Consider spending a day visiting the ancient village of Olympos on Karpathos Island.
Olympos
During my time on the island of Karpathos, we spent a day visiting the small, remote village of Olympos.
The road to Olympos from the port is a windy one. It weaves up and down steep hills and then the village comes into view: classic Greek white houses with bright blue trim, colorful rooftops, and jagged rock peek out from the mountainside.
It is a stunning village from a distance, filled with even more beauty and tradition once you explore the village on foot.
Getting to Olympos
Until recently, the only way to reach the village of Olympos was by boat. There is one road that now connects Olympos to the Karpathos capital of Pigadia, which is about 36 miles (58 km) away.
Still, I recommend taking a boat from Pigadia to Olympos. You'll dock in the port town of Diafani, and then take a car up to Olympos. For this reason, it's important to book a rental car ahead of time, or book one of the many tours of the village.
Our group had arranged a tour of Olympos with Ecotourism Karpathos. Our guide, Evangelia, is a native of Olympos whose family has lived in the village for generations.
Before reaching the main village, we made a quick stop at the ancient agriculture village of Avlona.
Avlona
Nobody actually lives in the small village of Avlona. This settlement is part of the community of Olympos, where the residents of Olympos own property. Here, they grow their wine, vegetables, fruit, bread, and more for their own families and to sell to others on the island.
The tiny village is like a magical step back in time. I was amazed that this dry, seemingly barren section of land is actually a fertile farming area, but the residents successfully employ dry farming methods that have been passed down for centuries.
Olympos village
From Avlona, we drove up and around the mountain just a few miles to reach Olympos. If you're driving, you'll want to park your car at the edge of the main village, and then walk the rest of the way.
What makes Olympos stand out from other villages on Karpathos island is not just its stunning beauty and its remote location. Olympos is known for the fact that many of the women in the village still wear traditional handmade costumes that women have been wearing here for generations.
Their colorful, ornate clothing is a beautiful sight to behold. Each item takes time to sew by hand. Pictured above is Evangelia's mother, Sophia, in traditional Olympos women's clothing.
Shopping & eating in Olympos Village
The main village consists of cobblestone streets connecting a maze of cafes, restaurants, shops, and other small businesses. You'll find both artisan, handmade products made by locals as well as some stores that sell typical tourist souvenirs not made on Karpathos island.
One of my favorite shops is J. Prearis Handmade Shoes. John Prearis is usually there, working away, cobbling leather shoes by hand. The craftsmanship of the sandals, boots, and bags you will find at his shop is high quality. I purchased a pair of gold leather sandals that I know will withstand the test of time (and look cute too!).
There are plenty of cafes as well as stands along the streets where you can purchase food on-the-go. Classic Greek souvlaki, moussaka, dolmas and more are made fresh here, and the scents waft through the air, enticing you as you wander through the village.
You can also find Greek spices as well as traditional Karpathos Makarounes - a handmade pasta that I'll be sharing more about in my next post - to purchase.
There are also shops that sell the traditional costumes the women wear, including the head scarves, which we were kindly outfitted with and purchased as souvenirs of our sweet time in Olympos.
The soul of Olympos is the heart of its people: the approximately 400 residents whose families have called this beautiful village home for generations. Like many small villages around the world, there is a quiet tug of war between longstanding tradition and modern progress; between the demands of daily life and those of tourism in a remote village.
In the midst of it all, food is often the peacemaker between the traditional and the modern world. I found this to be true here on Olympos as well. At her family's home in Olympos, Evangelia and her mother Sophia treated our group to a Makarounes cooking class and subsequent feast of traditional Karpathian foods. It was an incredible experience that you, too, can enjoy if you visit Olympos.
I'll be sharing more about that in my next blog post about Olympos and Karpathos Island!
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More Greece Travel Bliss:
Greece Travel Guide: Karpathos Island
Greece Travel Guide: Visiting the Acropolis of Athens
Greece Travel Guide: NOLAN Restaurant, Athens
I visited Olympos as part of a #VisitKarpathos press trip. Our tour of Olympos was complimentary thanks to Karpathos Travel. Many thanks to Evangelia of Ecotourism Karpathos for the incredible tour! As always, all opinions and photos are my own.
Jana Seitzer says
Greece looks good on you. This is still a region on my bucket list. My mom and grandma did it this fall.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thank you! I hope you get to go! It's amazing! :)
Lorena says
These pictures are absolutely stunning! I would love to make it to Greece one day.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks so much, Lorena! I hope you get to!
Ursula Herrera says
Wow! the pics are amazing! Thanks for all the information. We are planing a summer trip to Greece this year.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
How exciting! I hope it's a blast! :) Thanks, Ursula!
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
It looks amazing there!!! I love those handmade sandals and am so excited you got a pair. That head scarf is so cute too!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks, Eric! I love them! :)
Leah Ashley says
Greece has been on a bucket list for years and just this afternoon my daughter and I were studying mosaic artwork and Greece came up a lot!! This trip looks amazing saving for the day my bucket list dream comes true thanks for sharing!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
They have such beautiful art! I really hope you make it to Greece soon! It's such a gorgeous place!
Kelsey says
Wow look at those gorgeous pops of color! I am loving experiencing Greece through your posts.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks so much, Kelsey! :)
Ricci says
Oh my goodness, what gorgeous photos!! I have always wanted to travel to Greece! I will get there one day!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I hope you get to see it one day! It's an amazing experience! Thank you, Ricci! :)
Krizzia Scollon says
Oh wow I'm so jealous! Greece is my dream destination. The culture, food, colors-- everything!!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Right?! They have so much to offer!
Joan says
I have always wanted to go to Greece and hopefully this year I get to do so. I love how the houses are colourful and I also heard that the food is great there.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I hope so, too! There's so much to see and do! The food is AMAZING!
Stine Mari says
What a gorgeous place, I would love to visit! And love all the photos!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thanks so much, Stine! :)
Tanya Geno says
I find it so incredible how clustered everyone if but at the same time it makes it so beautiful to see!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Agreed! It's definitely a different environment, but that's what makes it so special! :)
Mama Munchkin says
What a fabulous guide. We have been considering Greece for late spring.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Thank you! I highly recommend it! :)
Nick @ GreekBoston.com says
While in Greece, you won't want to miss visiting these places! The Olympos village, for example, represents a vital piece of Ancient Greek history and it's something you absolutely must see.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Agreed! It's definitely worth the trip!
Jessica DePasquale says
All your pictures are gorgeous! Definitely adding this to my travel list!
agadir excursions says
Well this savings are really good only when you use credit cards and/ or frequent flyer, not just for a once in a while flights. 🙁
Lisa says
Hello, I find it so incredible how clustered everyone if but at the same time it makes it so beautiful to see!
travel says
I have always wanted to go to Greece and hopefully this year I get to do so. I love how the houses are colorful and I also heard that the food is great there.
booking says
The trip is a great source of pleasure and enjoyment. Through this, we introduce new people and places. It add our knowledge also. It brings a positive change in our thinking. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.