Finiki in Karpathos

Barely two kilometres north of Arkasa is the little cute fishing village of Finiki. Here lives only a few people, many are fishermen and some works with tourism. The village is beautifully framed in a bay with a decent nice little beach. At the beach, there are a couple of nice tavernas with inviting location. Finiki is located about 17 kilometers west of Pigadia, and slightly shorter from Amopi.

Cosy little Finiki.

Most restaurants in Finiki are to the left of the beach.

The monument at the beach is the village's pride. It was raised to honour five fishermen who sailed in a small open boat all the way to Alexandria in Egypt in October 1944 to meet the Greek exile government. They delivered a message that the Italians (who occupied Karpathos during World War II) had been exiled from the island. The rising against the Italians started in Menetes in October 1944, soon other villages joined and after three days almost all Karpathos was liberated (Mesochori and Olympos had to wait another few days).

The monument in Finiki.

Although the island was liberated, no allies came to rescue, there was a shortage of most things, especially food. Then some fishermen decided to take matters into their own hands and they sailed to Alexandria, where they delivered their message. It took them five days to sail to Alexandria. Undoubtedly they should have a monument for such a achievement! When they came back on October 17 they had company of two allied warships and Karpathos could be declared as a liberated island.

The fishermen who sailed to Alexandria and saved Karpathos.

Colorful fishing boats are in the port and look photogenic.

The beach in Finiki in 2005 was not as attractive as it is today.

Taverna Under The Trees was previously located 1 kilometre north of Finiki. Unfortunately, the taverna had to close. It is a shame, not to say a great shame, because this was a taverna out of the ordinary. Kostas - who ran the taverna - is a gifted chef and the ingredients he used mostly came from his own garden. The taverna was placed in the shade of two giant tamarisk trees close to a rocky beach. The beach is, of course, still there, but it is not much to boast about, but for a swim or two it is okay.

Old Tavern Under The Trees.

The new Taverna Under The Trees is located 4.5 kilometres north of Finiki.

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Kostas opened a new taverna with the same name in July 2009, it lies north of Finiki, it is located 4.5 kilometres north of Finiki, along the road to Lefkos. The location is sadly not as inviting as the old place, but the food is just as good as before. Don't miss Taverna Under The Trees when you're in Karpathos!

Calamari and fried zucchini sticks are two of the specialties at Taverna Under The Trees.

ACCOMMODATION IN FINIKI

I know several people who use to stay a few nights in Finiki, and I understand why, it really is a nice and cosy village, and Hotel Finiki View looks like a good place to stay, and I have had it recommended by several readers.

Book Hotel Finiki View here »

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU VISIT FINIKI

Don't miss Agios Nikoalos beach, which you can read about here »