In the northeastern part of Karpathos, there is a small island named Saria. This island was once part of the main land. Saria has an area of 21 square km and is separated by a 100 meter straight. Saria belongs to the city of Olymbos. Today this island is uninhabited; however there are ruins of the ancient city of Nisiros in the location of Palatia.

Mountains run across the length of the island of Karpathos forming stunning landscapes with large slopes and long cliffs. The tallest spot on the island is found on the mountain of Lastos, with an altitude of 1215 meters. This mountain slopes down to the center of the island. The mountains divide the towns into two parts. The southern towns are comprised of Pigadia, Aperi, Bolada, Othos Piles, Menetes and Arkassa. The northern towns consist of Mesoxori, Spoa and Olymbos. In the southern part of the island one can see a few fields; however the northern part of the island is very mountainous.

The coastal land structure of Karpathos is made up of numerous beaches, peninsulas and natural harbors. The Southernmost part is Kastellos, and the most Northern is in the Paraspori (in Saria) with the major edges on the eastern side toward the North are: Liggi, Skrofa, Balakas, Patella, Tragopidima, Panagias, Marinaki, Marathos, Makria Pouda, Thalasopouda, Monaxios, Aspronos and Plasma are at Saria. The major edges from the West to the North are Saint Theodoros, Paleokastron, Proni, Iliodas, Liakh Poudas, Kominakai, Kafkalo, Priona, Saint John and Oxonisos. Mavron and Akrotiri are at Saria.

The major lagoons on the eastern side from the South to North are: Makri Gialo, Foias, Vathipotamo, Pigadion, Vrodi, Axata, Kira Panagia, Apela, Saint Nickolis, Lolas, Natis, Friou Otsis and Xalavris. From the western side from the South to the North are: Kastelou, Akrvtiriou, Kamarakia, Prioniou, Adias, Pataliou, Lefkos, Lares, Makrigialou, Saint Iriens, Limeniou, Saradamvpas, Efgonimou, Fisson, Bourgoudas, Moysxous and Tristomou

The capital of the island, which also has one of the two harbors, is Pigadia or Karpathos. It is located on the middle eastern side of the island. The second harbor of the island is Diafani, and it is in the northern eastern side of the island. At both harbors, boats come from Athens, Crete and Rhodes. On the western side of the island, there is a small harbor called Finiki this harbor is used by fishermen.

Southwest of the capital, is Menetes. This village has its history from the Middle Ages. Arkassa is a village which is built on the ruins of the ancient city of Arkessia. The ruins in Arkassa can be dated from the 5th century AD. Thirteen kilometers northwest is the town of Piles. Northeastwards is the town of Othos, here one will find a small museum. The houses of Bolada have maintained the inner architect of the old houses. Towards the north and on the west side, one can find the town of Mesoxori. Here one can find a traditional Karpathian house with wooden decorations and stone floors. Towards the northeast, one will find Diafani. This village which appears to be abandoned is the second harbor of the island. This village belongs to the town of Olymbos.

Olymbos is built on the side of a mountain. Originally it was a fortress that was built in the 10th - 15th century. Its purpose was to provide protection for the local people from the pirates. Towards the top of the mountain, there used to be a tower. Today, Olymbos is the only town that has maintained the original architecture of the houses. The residents still wear the traditional outfits and still speak the in the Doric way.