Saria

Saria is a narrow, mountainous island off the north tip of Karpathos in the Dodecanese, 20 square kilometres separated by a 100-metre channel that was once a land bridge, now a protected Natura 2000 reserve. Uninhabited today except for shepherds, it is steep and barren, with cliffs falling to clear water, the ruined village of Palatia and the Byzantine monastery of Agia Sophia, and is known as a nesting site for Eleonora’s falcons.

In antiquity Saria was a separate polis with its own acropolis at Palatia, and until the 20th century pirates used its coves. Today it is visited only by day boats from Diafani on Karpathos for swimming at Alimounda and Palatia beaches and hiking, with no cars, electricity or permanent houses — a wild, silent satellite of Karpathos.

The 20 sq km uninhabited island 100 metres off Karpathos with a pirate ghost town

Saria is a rocky, volcanic island along the northern edge of Karpathos in the Dodecanese, separated by a strait that is barely 100 metres wide and 2.5 metres deep — some sources say 200 metres — and was once one with Karpathos until ground erosion split them. It covers 20.4 square kilometres, also listed as 21 square kilometres, and is quite mountainous with highest point Mt Saria or Pachy Vouno at 631 metres above sea level, at coordinates 35°52′N 27°13′E. Administratively it is part of the community of Olympos in Karpathos-Kasos regional unit, South Aegean, with a former capital Argos. The 2011 census reported 45 persons, essentially shepherds, but today it is described as uninhabited.

The island is dominated by dry, barren mountain slopes descending steeply into the sea, and is a sanctuary for rare wildlife. It hosts one of the largest populations of the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus, whose gaping sea caves along the coastline are perfect refuges, plus Eleonora’s falcon, Bonelli’s eagle and long-legged buzzard. It is part of Natura 2000 protected area GR4210003 Northern Karpathos and Saria and Important Bird Area of Europe. On land you find the ruins of ancient city Nisyros, two abandoned settlements including one once home to Saracen pirates, and the old Arab settlement Palatia — palaces — with vaulted stone buildings above Palatia pebble beach. Six charming chapels scatter the island.

This is for you if you want escape — hiking a gorge, swimming crystal clear waters with sea caves, exploring a pirate base with no one else around. It is not for beaches with facilities or staying overnight; Saria is wild and protected.

FYI / ICYMI / Nuance

FYI Saria is the reason Karpathos is so special for wildlife — the combined Natura 2000 site Northern Karpathos and Saria protects one of Europe’s last breeding strongholds for monk seals with breeding rates nearly comparable to the National Marine Park of Alonissos. ICYMI the ancient city here was also called Nisyros, which confuses people with the volcano island Nisyros further north — same name, different island. Nuance: most boat tours anchor at Palatia Beach where the ancient city meets the sea, calling it a Pirates Naval Base, but the vaulted buildings are really from medieval pirate and Arab occupation layered over antiquity. Tip from locals: don’t waste time on the beach — hike the gorge and look for monk seal caves, and bring everything with you.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saria_Island | Highest point Mt Saria Regional unit Karpathos-Kasos Municipality Karpathos rocky volcanic island northern edge Karpathos separated strait 100 m wide part community Olympos 2011 census 45 persons ruins ancient city Nisyros can be found here
https://www.greeka.com/dodecanese/karpathos/islet/saria/ | covers overall surface just 20.4 square kilometers quite mountainous maximum altitude 631 meters Hundreds years ago used to be one with Karpathos separated ground erosion Today narrow strait barely 100 meters wide 2.5 meters deep rugged home rarest bird wildlife species declared NATURA 2000 protected Bonelli’s eagle long-legged buzzard Eleonora’s falcon sea caves perfect refuge Mediterranean monk seal
https://theworldofinfo.com/karpathos/geography/ | small uninhabited island Saria located distance only 200 metres just north Karpathos highest point Pachy Vouno 630 metres surface area Karpathos 301 km2
https://www.discovergreece.com/experiences/nature-and-wildlife-uninhabited-saria-island | Uninhabited other than birds wildlife given Saria Natura 2000-protected status craggy quiet shoreline favourite resting place shy increasingly rare Mediterranean monk seal hiking island gorge exploring ruined settlements now uninhabited
https://ferrycenter.gr/en/ferry-to-karpathos/ | mini-cruise uninhabited island Saria dream-like location unique natural beauty just off northern tip Karpathos wander old Arabian settlement Palatia palaces vaulted stone buildings ancient Nisyros tiny island sanctuary rare birds Mediterranean monk seal part Natura 2000 network
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10459931/ | Karpathos hosts one largest populations Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus Important Bird Areas Europe Spatial extent Natura 2000 Protected Area northern Karpathos Saria GR4210003

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Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by admin