HomeGreeceDodecaneseLeros Island: Reasons to Discover This Small Greek Island
Leros

Leros Island: Reasons to Discover This Small Greek Island

Author Alexandrou Masias

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leros island, dodecanese, greece
Chapel of St. Isidoros on a small rocky island near Leros island

Are you ready to explore the Greek island of Leros on your next holiday? Here are things to do in Leros, places to visit, beaches, weather, best hotels.

Leros is located between Patmos and Kalymnos, a small island of Dodecanese. In fact, holidays in Leros can be easily combined with trips to Patmos, Kalymnos and Lipsi. You may find in our article where is Leros, how to get to, things to do and see, what to do in Leros, where to eat and drink, villages and beaches of Leros, where to stay and best hotels in Leros and more.

According to mythology, Leros island was where goddess Artemis would go for hunting, as it had a rich population in deer. The long history of Leros Greece is depicted in the many sights around the island, such as the Medieval Castle and the interesting museums. Alinda and Agia Marina are the most tourist places on the island, while a drive around the island will bring visitors to relaxing, crystal beaches. Over the last years, the island is developing as a diving destination due to the many ancient shipwrecks that have been found in the surrounding sea.

Leros Island in Dodecanese Islands is the corner of the Aegean sea, where song and rhythm, sun and sea co-exist harmoniously, was chosen by the goddess Artemis to build her throne. And ever since people have built castles, temples, monasteries and homes which respect the natural environment and historical heritage, preserving the special, unadulterated character of architecture on the islands of the Dodecanese.

Wherever you look, your eyes are greeted by beautiful sights. Low-lying hills inscribe shapely lines along the horizon, endless verdant planes reach languidly for the sea. And the Aegean, full of light; its waves joyfully cartwheeling into coves, bays and harbours sheltered from the winds and adding their silkiest caress to serene shores. This is Leros. Authentic and human, it invites you for family holidays on an island where the herb-scented breeze will blow away all your cares. Modern tourist facilities, unique beaches with numerous options for water sports and remarkable cultural events will make your stay unforgettable.

Where is Leros island

Leros situated between Patmos Lipsi and Kalimnos and Kos in the Dodecanese islands. Leros like most of the Greek islands is an island of small fertile valleys sandwiched between rolling green hills, deep coves and pretty beaches Leros topography has given rise to many villages.

How to get to Leros island

The airport of Leros is located on the northern side of the island, in the region of Partheni. This is a small airport that receives only domestic flights from Athens. The flight time from Athens to Leros is 50 min. After they arrive, tourists can take a taxi to their hotel.

There are ferries to Leros from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, 4 times a week. These ferries also connect Leros to other islands of Dodecanese, including Rhodes, Patmos, Kos, Kalymnos and Lipsi. There are also daily ferries to Leros from Rhodes, the largest island of Dodecanese. In summer, local ferries run between Patmos, Leros and Lipsi almost every day.

Transportation in Leros

Leros is a small island, ideal for some relaxing, family holidays. Find out all the available options for moving around this lovely place.

Local Buses in Leros

Public transportation connects the port and the capital with some villages and beaches, however itineraries are not so frequent.

Car and motorcycle rentals in Leros

With a car or motorcycle, you can explore the island at your own pace and gain access to the most secluded spots! In case you don’t have your own vehicle, it is an excellent idea to rent a car for your sightseeing trips! You can find some car rental agencies in central spots around the island.

Leros travel guide

Leros in Greece is a family island with relaxing beaches and picturesque villages. It can be combined for holidays with Patmos and Lipsi, two close islands of Dodecanese. Lovely seaside villages and cozy beaches are found on the island, with Agia Marina, Alinda and Lakki being the most tourist places. As the sea around Leros is rich in reefs, small islets and old shipwrecks, scuba diving is gradually developing on the island over the last years. Many local festivals and panigiria are also organized in summer months, attracting many visitors.

Things to do and see in Leros island

Over the last years, Leros is developing as a scuba diving destination. In fact, the sea bottom of Leros is filled with old wrecks, some dating from the ancient times, especially the wrecks in the sea region between Leros island and Kalymnos island.

Another enjoyable thing to do in Leros is hiking, especially in spring and autumn, when the weather is not hot. Old footpaths cross the island and lead to secluded beaches, small chapels, Medieval castles, and seaside villages.

The hamlets

Dotted all over the island, the hamlets enchant with the simplicity of their structure, the unadorned beauty adapted to the natural environment by experienced Lerian builders.

Agia Marina

Traditional residences, stately homes and Italian buildings in ochre and terracotta form a harmonious architectural ensemble. An idyllic, romantic place with the windmill that seems to float in the sea and a view to the entrance of the large bay where the natural harbour is situated.

Platanos

This is the capital of the island. Along the ridge of the hills a cluster of windmills gazes out at the sea. Indubitably, a place where the stunning view of the Aegean will keep you sipping at that coffee a little while longer.

Panteli village

With an atmosphere all of its own, this fishing village is rightly considered to be one of the most picturesque spots on the island. A little gift to the sea, welcoming fishing caiques as well as luxurious pleasure craft and enchanting all-comers with the simplicity of its beauty.

Lakki

The main port of the island is set on gentle, rolling downs. Neoclassical buildings on one side and whitewashed houses on the other create a remarkable composition of shapes, colours and textures which has architects and artists purring with appreciation. Naturally enough, the kind of beauty found there is one that relaxes both the spirit and the senses.

Castle of Panagia (Virgin Mary)

In the north-east of the island the castle dominates the skyline like a sleepless guard keeping vigil over the entire region, from Patmos and Kalymnos to the coast of Asia Minor. In the Castle you will find the church of the Holy Mother which celebrates on August 15th with a big feast, as well as the church Museum with priceless sacred objects. Take a stroll ascending to the beautiful neighbourhoods of Platanos. The view is something else! The sky, the sea and the works of humanity in an apotheosis of harmony.

Bellenis Tower

Built entirely of local stone in 1925, the two-storey stately home houses the Historical Museum, the Folklore Museum, the Press Museum and the Municipal Art Gallery and Library.

Beaches on Leros

On Leros, you will find organized beaches, secluded bays as well as small coves, all awaiting your enjoyment; they include Panagies, Krithoni, Panteli, Ksirokampos, Koulouki as well as Vromolithos, Gourna, Blefoutis and Agia Kioura. Enjoy moments of carefree relaxation in their blue waters.

What to do in Leros island

War Museum

A network of subterranean and above-ground ammunition depots nowadays constitutes a museum with a wealth of exhibits that will catapult you through a history of combat.

Saint Isidorus

A picturesque church built on an islet connected to the mainland by a small strip of land, as photogenic as the many couples who have tied the knot there.

Delve into history

If you like scuba diving, the sea around Leros boasts a seabed with a rich ecosystem, caves and a lot of shipwrecks from World War II. Equip yourselves accordingly and dive into places where the clock has stopped and the Aegean has quietly gone about its business of preserving the past.

Dive into tasty cuisine

The freshest fish, delicious local meat and herbs from the fields are the basic ingredients that make up the cuisine of Leros. Make sure you try patsavouropita, the local version of yiaourtopita ( Greek yoghurt cake) and quench your thirst with a local beverage known as “gavafa”.

Virgin Mary of Kavouradena

One of the most delightful and picturesque churches of the island is near Ksirokampos village, built on a rock on the coastline.

Nightlife in Leros

Leros is not famous for its nightlife so you should not expect crazy summer nights. Things are more peaceful and relaxing in Leros. The island counts on a series of bars and nightclubs that cater for all types. Cafe-bars and night clubs for the younger fellows are found in Agia Marina and Lakki. However, the most popular nightlife spot in Leros is Alinda, where music is played a bit louder in bars. For more peaceful nights, try a long dinner at the many taverns around the island.

Villages of Leros island

Leros is a small island of the Dodecanese that remains untouched by mass tourism, so its villages keep their traditional style. The capital of Leros is Platanos that has spread and includes the coastal villages of Agia Marina and Pandeli.

  • Agia Marina
  • Lakki
  • Alinda
  • Pandeli
  • Platanos
  • Partheni
  • Temenia
  • Gourna
  • Kamara
  • Kokkali
  • Xirokampos
  • Drimonas

Beaches of Leros island

There are both frequented and secluded beaches in Leros. Agia Marina, Vromolithos and Alinda are the most organized Leros beaches, while there are many other quiet places to relax around the island. Over the last years, Leros is developing as a popular scuba diving destination due to its rich seabed. You will find below a list with the best beaches in Leros island.

List of all beaches in Leros island

Where to stay in Leros island

The most convenient places to stay in Leros are Agia Marina and Alinda. These are the places to find most hotels in Leros, without losing their authentic style though. These places have many facilities, from shops to taverns and bars, and also nice beaches to relax. Nice Leros hotels are also found in Lakki, Vromolimnos and Panteli.

 

Leros Hotels: Look and search Leros accommodation, rooms, hotels apartments, studios and pensions.

Hotels in Agia Marina, Leros

Hotels in Alinda, Leros

Hotels in Lakki, Leros

Hotels in Pandeli, Leros

The date of this article on our blog may seem new due to some updates. The content of the article reflects the author's own opinion and it is possible that some information in the article, such as price and transportation, may have changed. We kindly ask you to take it into consideration.

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