Karavas

The village of Karavas is in the northern part of the island, a few kilometers from the largest village, Potamos. It was built inside a deep green gorge, with all different types of trees. You can find many natural springs which never stop trickling cool water. Some of the most famous are Amir Alis, Portokalia and Keramari. The second received its name from an orange tree which, according to local folk tale, yielded one hundred thousand oranges. This orange tree was desiccated some decades ago following a particularly heavy winter.

The village’s architecture is amazing. As you go down towards Emir Ali’s springs, opposite you will recognize the old settlement of Mavrogiorgiannika which lies untouched, in ruins, a silent spectator of the deep green landscape as the years pass by. Plans for the exploitation of this settlement are pending, as it remains a complex of the architecturally most beautiful houses of the island.

Karavas’ inhabitants have a rich social engagement. Every year, the local community “Portokalia” (derived from the village’s “sacred” tree of the same name,) organizes a great traditional dance as well as athletic activities around the village. In Karavas, by way of generous donations, the “Patrikios” Agricultural School, the school, and the arch of the village’s entrance were constructed.

Only a few kilometers away lies the seaside settlement of Platia Ammos. Today it has many rooms-for-rent, cafes and restaurants. Here, too, many visitors succumb to the village's charm and return every year, often ignoring the rest of the island.

Near Karavas village, on the way to Potamos lie the villages Gerakari and Petrouni. After being completely abandoned for the last decades, they have now been reinhabitated. There are many  beautiful walking paths from Karavas. It is well worth it to visit the lighthouse in Moudari, the beaches Routsouna and Agios Nikolaos. In the village of Karavas you can buy quality traditional products such as rusks, (paximadia), bread etc.