Your stay — Alimounda Mare
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The Property — Alimounda Mare
Alimounda Mare is a compact, whitewashed 3-star complex perched on a hillside above Pigadia harbour. The lobby feels like a cool, tiled retreat from the Cycladic sun, with local stonework and a reception desk that doubles as a tour-information point. Its main draw is the uninterrupted sea view from most rooms and the small pool terrace, which catches the afternoon breeze. This hotel suits independent-minded couples or solo travellers who value location and a decent breakfast over frills and on-site entertainment.
Chronicles of Karpathos
Karpathos Town, locally called Pigadia, grew around a natural harbour that has sheltered vessels since Minoan times. The modern settlement expanded in the early 20th century, blending neoclassical mansions built by returning emigrants with cube-shaped Cycladic houses. After Italian occupation during WWII, the town rebuilt quietly, and mass tourism only arrived in the 1980s. Today, Pigadia retains a workaday Greek port feel, with local ferries and fishing boats sharing the quay with car hire offices and tavernas. Its cultural identity leans heavily on the fiercely traditional mountain villages like Olympos, which still hold dialects and dances from the Byzantine era.
Best Time to Visit
Full Karpathos guide →Best months
May-June and September-October offer 25-30°C highs, steady Meltemi winds, and far thinner crowds than July-August. Sea temperatures are swimmable from late May, and flights/hotels cost roughly 30% less than peak season.
Peak / festival surge
July-August is the absolute peak, pushed by European school holidays and the Karpathos Festival in mid-August, which features traditional music and dancing in Olympos. Hotel prices at Alimounda Mare double from shoulder rates, and Pigadia's waterfront fills with sunburned package tourists.
Budget shoulder season
Late May to early June, and all of September, are the true sweet spots for budget travellers. Rooms drop to under €80/night, the Meltemi wind moderates, and you can still swim without shoulder-to-shoulder beach blankets.
Weather & packing
Karpathos is notoriously windy in summer — the Meltemi can gust to force 6-7 from June to August, especially on exposed east coasts. Pack a windproof jacket or lightweight fleece for evenings on the terrace, and always bring reef shoes for the pebbly coves around town.
Live City Briefing — Karpathos
- The main Pigadia–Piraeus ferry (Blue Star Ferries) now runs an extra Sunday departure in July 2026; check the agency on the harbour for booking — seats sell out 48h ahead.
- A new pedestrian-only zone along the seafront promenade opened in May 2026, linking the port to Vronti beach; it eases the evening congestion but closes parking access from 19:00 to midnight.
- The Karpathos Folk Museum in Pigadia has extended its summer hours to 10:00–20:00 daily (2026); entry remains €4, cash only.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Alimounda Mare, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the first floor (above ground level) facing the sea, as these offer a better view and are removed from street-level foot traffic. The lift suggests a multi-storey layout, so mid-to-upper floors on the sea-facing side are likely quieter and brighter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those at the rear or side of the property, as they may face a service area or the main road. Ground-floor rooms also suffer from more pedestrian noise and limited privacy.
Best views
Sea-facing rooms (likely the front of the hotel) offer views over the coast and town. The best views are from upper floors on the sea side, away from the road.
Quietest floors
Floors 1 through 3 (if the lift serves them) are typically quieter, as they are above street noise but not exposed to roof-top disturbances.
🔊 Noise notes
Karpathos town road can be busy with scooters and cars, especially in summer. Street noise is most noticeable on the ground and first floors facing the road. Internal noise from the lift and hallway footfall may occur on all floors.
Insider tips
1. Request a room well above the ground floor when booking, and specify 'no ground floor' if possible. 2. Ask for a room on the sea-facing side – they typically have better outlook and are set back from the street, reducing traffic noise.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Alimounda Mare
Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel; typical speed 15-20 Mbps download; login via room number and surname
One lift serves all three floors of the main building; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary digital newsstand or physical papers; hotel has a small library of travel magazines in the lobby
Check-in from 15:00 to 23:00; early bag-drop allowed from 12:00; late check-out until 14:00 for €30, or until 18:00 for €50 (subject to availability)
Free luggage storage at reception on check-in day and after check-out
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; lift to all floors; no specially adapted rooms; some pathways to pool have shallow steps
Free on-site parking for about 20 cars on a gravel lot; no EV charging; nearest public car park is in Pigadia town centre, 800 m away, free overnight but €0.50/hour 08:00-20:00
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Karpathos does not levy a municipal tourist tax at this hotel)
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of 30% of total stay charged at booking; incidental hold of €50 at check-in via card or cash
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Άγιοι Απόστολοι (779 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Ι. Ν. Ευαγγελίστριας (847 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Ζωοδόχος Πηγή (880 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Πανορμίτης (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Καρπάθου — 577 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 419 m · ~5 min walk
ΠΗΓΆΔΙΑ — 447 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in Pigadia for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Karpathos airport or tourist desks, which take a big cut.
Cards accepted in most hotels, tavernas and shops in Pigadia; smaller villages and street stalls prefer cash.
Round up the bill at tavernas (5-10% for good service), leave small change for taxi drivers, and tip hotel cleaners a couple of euros per day.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek coffee (freddo espresso or frappé) at a cafe in Pigadia village — about €2.50–3.
A cheese pie or spinach pie from a bakery — around €3.50–4.
A plate of souvlaki or moussaka at a traditional taverna — about €10–12 for a main.
Look for bakeries and small kiosks in Pigadia town square for pies, souvlaki wraps, or gyros pitas (€4–5).
Galaxias and AB Vassilopoulos supermarkets in Pigadia for basics.
The main street in Pigadia has a few local clothing shops and a small market on Saturdays; for wider choice, head to the shops near the port.
Local buses (KTEL) run from Pigadia to major villages and beaches — €2–5 per trip; there is no direct bus from the airport, so take a shared taxi (about €15) or pre-book a transfer.
Buy lunch from bakeries rather than tavernas. Use the local bus instead of taxis for village trips. Cook your own meals using produce from the weekly farmer's market near Pigadia harbour on Saturday mornings.
Good to know — Karpathos
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
KarpathosFor coast guard: 108. For European emergency number: 112 (works from mobile phones, connects to local services). Karpathos has a hospital in Pigadia (22450 22333) for non-life-threatening cases.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Karpathos, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Alimounda Mare
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 419 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Pigadia Central Bus Station → Ammopi Beach (near Blue Lagoon Studios)
💡 Buy tickets at the Pigadia station kiosk—drivers don't give change. The Ammopi stop is at the taverna junction; walk downhill towards the beach, and look for the studios on your left. Return buses run on the hour until sunset.
Karpathos Airport Bus Stop → Pigadia Central Bus Station (then walk or change to Ammopi bus)
💡 The bus drops you at Pigadia terminal. From there, catch the Ammopi bus (€1.50, runs every hour until dusk). Blue Lagoon Studios is a 5-min walk from the Ammopi stop. Last bus back from Ammopi is around 20:00, so plan dinner accordingly.
Karpathos Airport → Blue Lagoon Studios
💡 Less common than private taxis but cheaper if you're solo. Ask your hotel or the airport info desk—local drivers often wait near the exit with a board. Cash only.
Karpathos Airport (AOK) → Blue Lagoon Studios (Pigadia/Ammopi area)
💡 Agree on the fare before you get in. Official taxis from the airport queue have set prices, but drivers occasionally try to quote higher for the beach road.
About Karpathos
Wikipedia ↗
Karpathos (Greek: Κάρπαθος, pronounced [ˈkarpaθos]), also Carpathos, is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, in the southeastern Aegean Sea. Together with the neighboring smaller Saria Island it forms the municipality of Karpathos, which is part of the regional unit Karpathos-Kasos. B...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Alimounda Mare?
Request rooms on the first floor (above ground level) facing the sea, as these offer a better view and are removed from street-level foot traffic. The lift suggests a multi-storey layout, so mid-to-upper floors on the sea-facing side are likely quieter and brighter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Alimounda Mare?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those at the rear or side of the property, as they may face a service area or the main road. Ground-floor rooms also suffer from more pedestrian noise and limited privacy.
Is Alimounda Mare noisy?
Karpathos town road can be busy with scooters and cars, especially in summer. Street noise is most noticeable on the ground and first floors facing the road. Internal noise from the lift and hallway footfall may occur on all floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Alimounda Mare?
Sea-facing rooms (likely the front of the hotel) offer views over the coast and town. The best views are from upper floors on the sea side, away from the road.
What are insider tips for staying at Alimounda Mare?
1. Request a room well above the ground floor when booking, and specify 'no ground floor' if possible. 2. Ask for a room on the sea-facing side – they typically have better outlook and are set back from the street, reducing traffic noise.
What time is check-in at Alimounda Mare?
Check-in at Alimounda Mare is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Alimounda Mare have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel; typical speed 15-20 Mbps download; login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Alimounda Mare?
None (Karpathos does not levy a municipal tourist tax at this hotel)
Where can I eat cheaply near Alimounda Mare?
A cheese pie or spinach pie from a bakery — around €3.50–4.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Alimounda Mare?
Local buses (KTEL) run from Pigadia to major villages and beaches — €2–5 per trip; there is no direct bus from the airport, so take a shared taxi (about €15) or pre-book a transfer.
When is the best time to visit Karpathos?
May-June and September-October offer 25-30°C highs, steady Meltemi winds, and far thinner crowds than July-August. Sea temperatures are swimmable from late May, and flights/hotels cost roughly 30% less than peak season.
Top Attractions in Karpathos
💡 Start at the church of Agios Georgios and follow the narrow lane uphill between whitewashed houses. The best viewpoint is behind the ruined cistern. Bring water—no shade on the ascent. Free and completely uncrowded.
💡 Knock on the wooden door of the adjacent house if it's locked—the caretaker lives there and will let you in for free. Best light for photos is late afternoon.
💡 The second room has a mosaic floor from a Roman villa—don't step on the raised floorboards. Free entry is technically a 'voluntary donation' but nobody checks. Opens at 8.30am, so go early to avoid cruise-ship crowds.
💡 Arrive before 10am to get a spot under the tamarisk trees for natural shade. The chapel is often unlocked for a quick look.
💡 Park at the roadside pull-off at least 100m before the official sign—the path starts there and is easier on the knees. The beach gets packed by 11am; go at 8am for solitude. Wear sturdy sandals for the pebbles.