The modern town of Pigadia at the south-east end of the island, the capital and the main port of Karpathos, is the first thing you see as the boat enters into the beautiful harbor. It gathers a population of about 3500 inhabitants and has been built amphitheatrically around the natural port. On the left side of the entrance dominates a rock where the ruins of the ancient acropolis of the island can be seen. Many small shops, restaurants, taverns and cafés are situated around the harbor, hotels and apartments following the long sandy beach which stretches out to the north. The narrow alleys and the beautiful houses with their red tiled roofs and balconies make Pigadia a very attractive place which charms everyone who first arrives on Karpathos.