At the southeastern edge of the Aegean Sea lies the hidden gem of the maximum proper Dodecanese Islands. Leros Island, spanning the handiest 53 rectangular kilometers, boasts a shoreline of over 70 kilometers, making it one of the last serene holiday paradises within the Aegean.
Leros is a great destination for the circle of relatives vacations or quiet retreats, distinguished through its precise person. Inhabited since historical times, the island's name is derived from the historic phrase "leuros," which means easy, a reflection of its gentle landscape. According to mythology, it's miles connected to the goddess Artemis, who selected this location to construct her temple. Rich in records spanning numerous centuries, the island is packed with hidden treasures.
Its panorama is shaped by using low hills and giant plains that circulate the ocean, developing intimate bays and natural harbors. Lakki Island is home to the largest natural harbor in the Mediterranean, which has given the island strategic significance in diverse military conflicts over the centuries.
Well-preserved traditional small fishing settlements define its residential charm, whilst picturesque beaches, crystal-clear waters, the coloration of pine and tamarisk bushes over pebbles, and the enduring windmills atop Platanos offer an ideal view of the island and the open sea.
Map of Leros Island
| Name | Leros Island (Greek: Λέρος) |
| Country | Greece |
| Region | South Aegean |
| Coordinates | 37°09′N 26°51′E |
| Area | 74.17 km2 (28.64 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC +2 |
| Population | 7,992 |
| Airport | Leros Municipal Airport (LRS) |
History of Leros Island
Leros Island was inhabited even before the Classical length of antiquity, with lines from the Byzantine era, but it's far considered one of the primary capitals of the twentieth century. It served as a base for the Italian military during World War II, and all through the Italian occupation in the Nineteen Twenties and Thirties, properly built roads had been built. These roads, coated with eucalyptus timber on both facets, were normally used by the Navy.
From Italian Portolago, now modern-day Lakki, a rare open-air museum of Italian rationalism, to the silent underwater remnants of wartime, Leros bears witness to its turbulent history. From the eclectic Belenis Tower to the underground conflict tunnels of Merikia, the island holds many layers of history.
However, Leros' turbulent past has been changed using the tranquility with which nature has always embraced this gem of the Dodecanese: low hills overlooking pleasant bays, expansive valleys, and rocky islets of herbal beauty. From the moment you enter Leros, the island's name, which means "easy," confirms its historic origins. It is a place packed with a unique and vibrant allure.
In the ultimate 30 years, along the island's economic development, architectural renovations have additionally begun. Beautiful villas and duplex cottages were constructed in areas inclusive of Kokali, Gourna, Vourlidia, and Turkopigado. Many foreigners, mainly British, Italians, and French, have bought houses and both restored or elevated them.
Best Things to Do on Leros Island
A Stroll Through Lakki
Take a stroll alongside the tree-lined, huge boulevards of Lakki’s important port, wherein you can recognize the remnants of Mussolini’s vision to turn the island’s former capital right into a fascist dream town.
The Italians occupied the island from 1912 until World War II, organizing a naval base in Lakki Bay, one of the biggest herbal harbors in the Mediterranean.
Thanks to the efforts of the Leros Municipality, those as soon as-omitted buildings, harking back to abandoned Italian movie sets, were revived. The former Italian naval base south of Lakki, in Lepida, is now a kingdom medical institution, which additionally consists of a mansion that when served as a summer house for the dictator and later for the previous queen, Frederica.
Visit Leros Castle
Above Platanos and Panteli stands the fantastic Byzantine Panagia Castle. You can attain it via mountain climbing the steps that start simply above the significant square of Platanos, and the stunning perspectives from the castle walls make the ascent worthwhile.
Within the fort is the medieval Church of Panagia to Kastro, housing the icon of Panagia to Kastro, in addition to a small museum with diverse religious artifacts.
From Platanos, the street leads north to Agia Marina and south to the fishing port of Panteli, in which you could revel in a delicious meal with sparkling fish and swim at the seaside.
To the north, the street reaches the bustling port of Agia Marina, the arrival and departure point for catamarans to Kos and Rhodes. The seashore promenade is lined with bars, cafes, pastry shops, and a nearby fish market, which closes at midday.
Visit Bellini Tower
In the Historical and Folklore Museum at the tower, you'll discover reveals from the Battle of Leros in the course of World War II.
Bellini Tower, placed near the beach of Alinto, was constructed around 1903.
This -tale stone shape, with a three-tale tower, dominates the coastal street in Alinda, Leros.
During the summer, the venue hosts diverse cultural activities, including traditional dances, theatrical performances, and children’s shadow puppet indicates through renowned puppeteers.
Discover Leros’ Unique War Museum
The War Museum is located in Merikia, where the Italians built a network of underground tunnels in the nineteen-twenties and Thirties for ammunition storage and protection functions.
The tunnels reside numerous World War II exhibits, inclusive of weapons, maps, pix, and uniforms from the time.
The area outdoor the museum has been converted into a small army museum, showcasing decommissioned fighter planes and military automobiles.
Admire the Icon of Agia Kiura
The Church of Agia Kiura, recognized by the locals as Parthenio, is a small 18th-century chapel located in the districts of Blefouti and Partheni.
The church is renowned for its specific indoors, adorned by former political prisoners of the army junta. The artwork, with a distinct current fashion inspired by socialist realism, depicts actual-life figures, which include islanders and other political exiles.
The Temple of Artemis
On the island, you can find the historic remains of the Temple of Artemis, which the ancient inhabitants once worshipped. These ruins, which might also have been a part of a historical temple or a defensive castle, are located about two kilometers northwest of Alinda, near the island’s airport.
Main Resorts and Settlements of Leros
Panteli (Παντέλι)
South of Platanos, nestled on the foot of Mount Apitiki lies the small beach of Panteli. The street from Platanos extends right down to the seaside, wherein parking is restrained, but there may be a spacious municipal automobile parking space along the road main to Platanos. Cafés and taverns line the captivating sandy and pebbled seashores of the inner bay, with most taverns located directly at the waterfront.
The shallow waters and a long way-attaining sandy beach make it best for households with children. Armyrikia gives natural coloration, and the small harbor is regularly packed with fishing boats and yachts. The specific traditional café, Tzoumas, gives stunning perspectives, at the same time as the newly paved walkway overlooks Vromolithos Beach.
Below the ruins of Panagia Castle at the ridge, you could additionally discover a row of six historic windmills, these days renovated. Panteli has hotels and numerous rental studios and apartments.
Agia Marina (Αγία Μαρίνα)
Agia Marina is certainly one of Leros' two important ports (the alternative being Lakki) and serves as the main tourist hub and the docking factor for most ships and yachts. The waterfront is dotted with cafés, finally leading to a slim pebbled seashore that offers beautiful perspectives of the bay, with a picturesque windmill perched on a course on the north stop.
In current years, cafés have advanced with gentle cushions and net get admission to, adding simplest a superficial touch to the menu’s cappuccinos and ciabatta sandwiches. The charm of the cafés lies inside the fishing boats and trawlers moored at the quay, with nets laid out to dry at your feet. Agia Marina’s whitewashed houses stretch alongside the hillside, mixing into Platanos, whilst the stunning Byzantine Castle towers on the height of Mount Apitiki within the distance, visible from almost anywhere on Leros.
Platanos (Πλάτανος)
Platanos, the industrial and political capital of Leros, stretches from Agia Marina southward up the hill and has now nearly merged with it. The island's parliament and library are located in Platanos, along with severa shops, cafés, and supermarkets. The main square is home to certainly one of the largest markets on the island.
Panagia Castle dominates Platanos, and you may either force from Panteli or climb the steps from Platanos to attain it. Despite the more or less 300 steps, the panoramic view of Leros makes the climb worthwhile, in conjunction with the danger to peer the beautiful tenth-century Church of Panagia inside the castle.
In addition to the small museum inside the castle church, there's a first-rate archaeological museum on the principle road, housed inside the renovated Municipal School, built in 1882.
Lakki (Λακκί)
Lakki, with its substantial bay, is one of the deepest natural harbors inside the Mediterranean and, it must be said, possibly one of the maximum unremarkable. Before the Forties, the vicinity become occupied with the aid of Italians for 30 years, with Mussolini planning to convert it right into a flagship of the Italian Empire in Greece.
They created the grand metropolis of Portolago (now Lakki), reviving its extensive tree-covered avenues, dazzling parks, and homes that mix Art Deco and Bauhaus patterns, known as rationalism with the aid of the fascist regime. These systems hold historical architectural cost.
A lengthy waterfront promenade, extensive sufficient for parades, stretches along the coast, coated with eucalyptus trees and stylish lamps, finishing at a huge marina for yachts.
Noteworthy homes consist of the vintage cinema, the majestic Leros Hotel, the clock marketplace, and the grand former naval headquarters, currently undergoing restoration with EU investment after excessive bombing all through World War II.
In 2005, the Leros War Museum opened in an old tunnel close to Mercia, dug by Italians during World War II. It homes many gadgets from the Battle of Leros, including weapons, helmets, bombs, uniforms, and photographs.
Around the bays of Koulouki and Merikies, there are several small beaches, although commonly pebbled and without centers, they are popular with locals and without problems reachable from Lakki. Some kiosks offer fundamental offerings.
Near Lakki, you may additionally visit the Church of Agios Ioannis Theologus, courting lower back to 1000 AD, one of the island’s most well-known church buildings, providing brilliant eleventh-century mosaics.
Leros Food and Cuisine
As a true fishing haven, Leros offers a wide variety of dining stories, starting from old-fashioned taverns to the maximum subtle restaurants, with an abundance of sparkling fish and seafood.
The island is understood for its lifestyle of lean merchandise. For folks who revel in such cuisine, salted cod and anchovies are remarkable choices.
On Leros, you'll additionally encounter a rare fruit referred to as "gavafa." This tropical fruit, originally from Egypt, handiest grows on Leros and has a sturdy taste paying homage to passion fruit. You can also locate it in cakes or jams.
Local myzithra is well-known, a delightful mixture of grape juice, olive oil, and thyme. It pairs flawlessly with pasta but can also be enjoyed in the handiest of ways: with nuts, olive oil, and tomatoes. If you're looking for more authentic cheese flavors, recollect krasotiro, a blend of goat and sheep milk soaked in semi-candy wine sediments, or spicy oil cheese.
A style of nearby goodies is sure to please traffic: pougakia (filled with sour almonds), syrup-soaked svingos (famous doughnuts), almonds flavored with rose, mastic, or orange, and of route, the conventional Leriki patsavouropita (a layered phyllo pastry soaked in yogurt).
While determined on other Aegean islands, Leros is also recognized for sumada, a refreshing drink distilled from bitter almonds, traditionally served at weddings.
How to Get to Leros Island
By Plane
Leros Airport (LRS) was built in 1984 on the northern coast of Partheni. It operates day flights to and from Athens, as well as some different islands which including Rhodes.
Taxis may be discovered properly out of doors the airport goes, even though it's endorsed to pre-ebook from Platanos or Lakki's taxi stations (22470 22550 and 22470 23070) earlier than heading to Leros.
There also are flights to Rhodes, however, it's quality to test with the airport as these flights can be occasional.
You can reach Leros by ferry from Piraeus or by using daily flights via Olympic Air. The island is well-connected to all Dodecanese islands by catamarans and ferries. Small boats can even take you on excursions to nearby islands.
By Ferry from Piraeus
Leros has two essential ports: large ferries commonly dock at Lakki, whilst smaller vessels dock at Agia Marina.
Blue Star Ferries operates routes from Piraeus to Leros on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with a journey time of approximately nine-10 hours, stopping at Patmos, Leros, Lipsi, Kalymnos, and Kos. On Wednesdays, the course departs from Rhodes via Symi, Kos, and Kalymnos. These routes are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
Leros is likewise a part of Dodekanisos Seaways’ essential day-by-day routes across the Dodecanese islands, served by the high-pace catamarans Dodekanisos Express and Dodekanisos Pride, connecting to Patmos, Kalymnos, Kos, Nisyros, Symi, and Rhodes.
Local boats frequently head to nearby islands, with schedules published at Agia Marina port. For instance, Anna Express gives day-by-day routes from Leros to Leipsos, Kalymnos, Arkos, and Agathonisi, at the same time as Patmos Star operates routes among Patmos, Leros, and Leipsos.
