Last updated 30 June 2007

The Independent Traveller's Greek Island Hopping guide gave Karpathos a 3 out of 10 rating for nudism. 

Amopi

See Amopi Beach on Google Maps

When you drive from the main road down to the coast, you turn right at the signpost for "Lakki beach hotel". You may not drive further than the hotel, because then you cannot drive back again up the hill.  When you come down to the coast line you walk a couple of yards to the left. There are steps down to the beach. There are umbrellas but no taverna. We found the beach to be 50% nude.  This was the most southern of the the four beaches at Amopi (sometimes called Ammopi).  My correspondent's ranking of the beach is only 20% (July 2003).

A previous correspondent visited Amopi in August 1998. You can come to Amopi with bus from the main town Pgadia, it takes 15min (and appears quite close on the map). When you come to Amopi you go to the right or south and then you go about 1 km and then before the big headland is the beach. There is a steep paved downhill to the beach. The beach is a mix of shingles and sand with a rock 150m out in the water from where you can jump into the water and it looks as if there may be some good snorkelling. There are sunbeds and umbrellas. In 1998 there was a small cantina before you go down to the beach. There was a mix of young and middle age couples and some singles.

Another report from July 2001 describes this as a very nice beach, clear water and lots of fish, good for snorkelling. Amopi is really four beaches, two of them are suitable for naturism, and 90% of the people are naked. The beaches are small and intimate, quiet and relaxing .The sunbeds and umbrellas have seen better days, they are in poor condition.  And a Barefooter who reported in May 2007 rated it 100%.

Unfortunately the Captain hears that the Beach pictured here is now closed for nude bathing. There is a big sign "NO Naturist - City of Karpathos".  In 2003 a new hotel (the Captain hears "Agean Hotel") - opened above the beach and the owner of the hotel leased the beach and changed it to a non-naturist beach. But now one beach before (it it the 3rd) is 100% naturist.  However the Captain also hears, as of August 2006, that it is very crowded, with 10 umbrellas.

Golden Sands

Golden Sands is said to be a popular beach. There is another quite nice beach on the other side of the small village. If you walk to the very far end of that beach you come to a more rocky part of the beach. It is a sandy beach that slopes quickly into the sea. The water is amazingly clear. When we went there, it was about 10 more small groups of nudists on. My contributors started to see nudists a quite close to the textile beach, but recommend continuing further along to the cliffs, that way you will get more privacy and possibility of shade during the hottest hours. So, quite quiet and very nice nude swimming, with calm waters. But, remember to bring water and food, because there are no tavernas. But, that also means that the place is quiet.

Lefkos

Lefkos is known to have the best beaches on Karpathos. It is situated about 30 km north west of Pigadia (or Karpathos city). It is a wonderful trip on mountain roads and along the western coast line.

Lefkos has three or four main beaches. At the end of the last beach up north is a hotel where you can park (the name of the hotel is Sarris). From there it is 8 eight minutes walk on a very dirt road and you are at a lovely beach, which my correspondent's girlfriend ranks at 80%. It has fine sand, rocks at both ends, is about 200 meters long and has no toilets, umbrellas or tavernas.

The water was wonderful.  In the end of May there were about 20 people on the beach, nearly 100% nude, and at least 50% women.

When you walk another five minutes you arrive at another beach, very steep to get into, and quite small. Ten people were there, five couples. My correspondent says "probably you had better be young to get there."  I assume he means in order to be fit enough to make the climb.

Unfortunately a report from a contributor who visited in 2000 suggests there is a sewage outlet going directly into the sea close to the beaches north of Lefkas.  If this is correct it sounds less than healthy.  More recent reports would be welcome.

Kato Lakos

Barefooters who reported in August 2006 thought this the best beach of Karpathos. It’s on the east coast (sheltered from Meltemi). From Pigadia, take the road to Kira Panaghia. When you leave the main road, drive down to the sea for 3.1 km and on the right you’ll find a dirt road (1.8 km) that goes to the beach. The road is quite awful, but if you drive slowly it’s safe. There is no sign and the fork is hard to see. If you lose it, go to Kira Panaghia and turn back: after 1.7 km you’ll see the turn on your left.

The southern part of the beach is sandy but textile. The northern part is composed of three beaches separated by cliffs. The third is the longest and the nicest. Small pebbles and some sand, beautiful water. Our Barefooters spent some days there with a few other people and all of them were nude. There is no taverna so you need to take food and drink with you, but there are some sunbeds you can freely use  - if you arrive first!

Agnontia

It’s not easy to get there, but it’s worth it.  From Spoa, take the road to Olimbos (it was under construction when this report came in during August 2006, but can be used with some caution) and after 10.8 km follow the signs for Aghia Minas. After nearly 1 km follow the sign for Agnontia (on the right). After 2.3 km of a quite awful road, you’ll get to a beautiful and lonely grey pebble beach. Barefoot reporters went there twice and were nearly alone all the time. 30% of the few other people were nude. The water is very clean but a bit chilly. No food and water, but quiet and wilderness.

In case the Meltemi blows, there are three trees you can use as shelter.

Pounta

A small sandy beach near the Airport. To get there, take the dirty road around the airport, heading west. When you see a new stone house in the middle of nowhere, turn left and you have arrived. The small beach has an even smaller cove in its western end. There is room enough for 2-4 persons, so if you are first to arrive, you’ll be the “owner” all day long. The rest of the beach is textile, but that little spot seems to be mostly used by nudists.