Karpathos Local products

Discover the local products of Karpathos!
While the landscape is dominated by mountainous terrain, the island's soil is quite fertile and its environment provides the right conditions for the production of many fine local products.

One of the most popular products is its delectable grapes. With many vineyards spread around the island, grape varieties such as athiri, fokiano, and thrapsathiri are among the most popular. The wine produced from these grapes is also of excellent quality, especially the semi-sweet red wine from grapes harvested in Othos and Volada.

The cheeses of Karpathos possess strong flavors and unique textures, the most well-known of which are the soft manouli, armyrotyri, and meriari. Olives, mainly of the koroneiki variety, are harvested throughout the island and are used in the production of some of the finest olive oil in the country. Honey is a cornerstone of Karpathian cuisine, with it being incorporated in many local sweets, such as sousamomelo (sesame and honey), xerotigana (fried dough strips dipped in honey), and the widely popular baklavas.

Other must-try delicacies include kouloures (donut-shaped biscuits), psilokouloura (sesame-covered breadsticks), and xylikopites (pies made with creamed cheese, honey, and sugar). Karpathos's famous local dish is makarounes, homemade pasta served with fresh onions and accompanied by the famous titaka, a dairy product that looks like yogurt. Visitors will also find fresh and delicious seafood, with many inhabitants engaged in fishery and supplying local restaurants with the catch of the day.

Local folklore art such as finely decorated plates, beautiful woven fabrics, and intricately designed carpets are made in Karpathos. Traditional boots, known as stivania, are handmade from goat leather in the village of Olympos and feature beautiful embroideries.