Leros, a lush green island in the Dodecanese, has recently become an ideal destination for relaxing holidays, popular with families, groups of friends, and couples. It offers a captivating blend of rich vegetation, picturesque coves, rugged coastlines, and golden sandy beaches.

The island’s name derives from the word “leros,” meaning “smooth” or “flat,” which justifies its low mountains. Leros is a beautiful amalgamation of natural beauty, traditional villages, and coastal areas where you can indulge in your favourite water sports.

Introduction

The capital of Leros is Agia Marina, while Lakki, also known as Porto Lago, is the island’s main port. This settlement was entirely constructed by the Italians in the early 1930s and is renowned for its stunning architecture, featuring Art Deco elements. However, Leros also boasts smaller, charming villages worth discovering, such as Platanos, Alinda, Partheni, Panteli, Krithoni, and Xirokampos.

In most settlements, you’ll find beautiful neoclassical houses that were once the residences of wealthy Lerians or used as public buildings.

The tower houses in Gourna, Lakki, and Vagia are remarkable attractions on the island, reflecting earlier times when pirate raids were a real danger, and the locals sought ways to protect themselves. The windmills of Leros, found near Agia Marina and Panteli, are also of interest.

The island’s natural harbours and coves, sheltered from the wind, are home to charming villages and offer pristine pebble-strewn and sandy beaches.

Swim at the popular beaches of Vromolithos, Penteli, Krithoni, and Agia Marina, as well as the picturesque and sheltered cove of Dyo Liskarikia, in Gourna, known for its dark sand and clear, shallow waters. Don’t miss the secluded beauty of Agia Kioura, a stunning, isolated beac

Cuisine and local food

Leros offers a rich selection of authentic, traditional, and seafood dishes, such as sea urchin salad with olive oil and lemon, salted fish, mizithra cheese, cheese pies, local wine, aromatic guava, either fresh or in jam, thyme honey, almond sweets and spoon sweets such as cherry tomatoes, eggplants, quinces, and bitter oranges.

The octopus, either grilled or cooked in wine souse is one of the best appetisers together with ouzo. The calamari or squid is served with rice and spinach. Fried shrimps are delicious paired with feta cheese.

Even the meat dishes on the island of Leros have their particularity, and the local recipes favour the use of herbs, slices of orange or lemon, vinegar, yoghurt and vegetables. Worth trying is the local version of souvlaki: skewers of meat, fish – or even in a vegetarian version – here served and garnished in the setting of abundant and colourful dishes.

Don’t miss the almond sweets (pougakia) and Lerian cheese pies as well as the  patsavuropita with filo pastry and sirop finishing your meal with a glass of sumada (almond juice).

Beaches

Among the best beaches of Leros we point out those of  Panteli, Vromolithos, Alinda,  Blefoutis, Merikia, Gourna, Dyo Liskaria, Drymonas and Xirokambos. Compared to the neighbouring islands, the very green nature of Leros is striking, therefore ideal not only for lazy days on the beach but also for long walks in a kind and generous environment.

The popular pebble and sandy beach of Alinda opens up with transparent and inviting waters, also appreciated for its tamarisk trees that touch the shore and for the good presence of services.

The beach of Panteli, especially loved by families with many amenities, restaurants and cafes. The Panteli bay ends on the east side with a small tourist port. Overcoming a slight promontory on its west side, the beach of Vromolithos opens up, overlooked by the village of the same name. From the small hills behind, oaks and tamarisks offer greenery and shade. Against the background of its clear waters, a few sailingboats stand out, and the islet of Aghia Kyriaki punctuates the horizon.

At the other end of the gulf  of Alinda you will find the small beach of Dio Liskaria in a secluded bay The beach hosts some of the most popular beach bars of Leros.

Where to stay in Leros

Most of the accommodation in Leros is concentrated primarily in Alinda, Platanos and Panteli. Agia Marina is curiously devoid of accommodations, while the other towns offer a variety of hotels and rooms to rent.

Alinda is the most touristic and developed area of ​​the island, with the most exclusive hotels, beautiful villas overlooking the hillside, and the highest concentration of services.

Here, you’ll find modern hotels, apartments, and hostels, all just steps from the island’s longest beach. Platanos offers a few hotels in the historic center, ideal for those who want to experience the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Greek village and have easy access to cultural attractions.

Panteli offers primarily apartments and studios, perfect for those seeking the fishing village experience with fresh fish tavernas and a seaside atmosphere

Attractions and Museums

After your swim, take a tour of Leros’ monuments, museums, and castles. The island’s Archaeological Museum, the Bellini Tower in Alinda, which houses the Folklore and Historical Museum, and the impressive War Museum are some of the must-see attractions

It’s worth noting that the War Museum in the Merikia Tunnel is unique in its kind, housed in a restored former military tunnel. The surrounding area exhibits military vehicles, airplanes, weapons, and other items from the era.Explore the Temple of Artemis in Partheni and the impressive Bourtzi Fortress.

Your tour will take you up to the top of the hill above Platanos, where the Castle of Panagia stands proud. Within the castle, you’ll find an Early Christian church and the ecclesiastical museum. The walls on the northeastern side of the hill are Cyclopean, with square stones weighing about half a ton each.

Places of interest

Agia Marina

Agia Marina is the capital of the island of Leros, topped by a beautiful Byzantine-era castle. This town hosts the island’s second port, from which ferries depart for excursions around Leros or nearby locations – perfect for day trips. Lose yourself in its charming, maze-like alleys built on a hillside and soak in the typical Greek atmosphere.

Near the port, you can admire the Bourtzi fortress. Don’t miss its collection of archaeological finds, beautiful churches, and the Castle of Panagia, which dominates Apitiki Hill – from up there, the view is simply stunning!

Lakki

If you arrive on the island of Leros by sea, you will most likely disembark at the port of Lakki. This town in the Dodecanese absolutely deserves a visit, especially if you’re a fan of rationalist architecture. A visit to Lakki is truly a journey back in time to the Italian 1920s. The town still preserves many traces of the fascist-era settlements, perfectly blended with Byzantine art and Art Deco influences.

Don’t miss the beautiful market in the main square, the clock tower, and the unique architecture of its buildings. You can’t skip this town on the island of Leros – it’s a living remnant of Italy’s 20th-century utopian vision.

Panteli

Panteli, near Platanos, is one of the main towns of Leros, located on the island’s eastern side. Its beach is very popular, especially because it retains the charm and character of an old fishing village. The organized beach is often quite busy and also serves as a popular docking point for small private boats looking to enjoy the area. You can’t plan a trip to Leros without visiting Panteli and eating in one of its authentic taverns.

Alinda

If you love the sea and nightlife, Alinda is a must-visit area in Leros. Here, you’ll find a wide range of accommodations to suit every budget and need, all just a stone’s throw from the beach so you can fully enjoy the wonders of the Aegean Sea. Being the most touristy spot on the island, Alinda offers everything you need for a perfect vacation: bars, traditional taverns, small supermarkets, and vehicle rental offices.

But that’s not all! Alinda is also the longest beach on the island, with sand and small pebbles, making it ideal for families with children and water sports lovers alike. You’ll find all the necessary rental gear to explore the seabed here..

What to see in Leros

Castle of Panteli (Panagia)

The medieval Castle of Panteli dominates the capital of Leros from the hill of Apitiki.
Probably built in the 10th century on the site of the ancient acropolis, much of the walls and the Church of Panagia have survived to this day.

The castle can be reached by climbing 400 steps from Panteli or via a scenic path. From the castle, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Aegean Sea and the other islands of the Dodecanese.

During the summer, theatrical performances are held inside the castle, adding a cultural charm to the visit.

Church of Panagia Kavouradena

If you love exploring religious sites – which the Greek islands are full of – don’t miss the Church of Panagia Kavouradena, dedicated to the Virgin of the Crabs. It’s truly unique for being built into the rocks on the beach near the village of Xirokambos, in the southern part of Leros. To reach it, just walk along the coast until you reach a bell tower, then go down toward the beach. Enjoy this beautiful walk to discover a place full of charm and uniqueness.

The Windmills

If you’re in Agia Marina, Plaatanos or Panteli, you can’t miss the picturesque windmills that dot the landscape, especially along the path leading uphill toward the scenic castle. These windmills are a distinctive symbol of the island, and some are even built in the sea, offering unforgettable photo ops. Many of Leros’ windmills have now been converted into accommodations, bars, or traditional taverns, creating truly magical atmospheres.

Church of Agios Isidoros

Built on the ruins of an ancient temple on a rock formation in the sea, in the St. Isidoros area of Leros, this small church is connected to the mainland only by a narrow concrete bridge. Surrounded by wild nature, the Church of Agios Isidoros offers visitors a truly unique view at any time of day – especially at night!

How to get to Leros

Thanks to its airport, you can reach the island of Leros comfortably by plane. From Athens, the capital of Greece, you will reach Leros in just one hour. In addition, you can reach the island by ferry, starting from Athens, the nearby islands of the Dodecanese and, finally, from the Cyclades.

By Plane

The plane is definitely the fastest and most comfortable way to get to Leros. From Athens, with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, it only takes one hour to reach the island. We recommend that you book early, as the planes that go to the island are small and fill up quickly, especially during high season.

By Boat

If you prefer to travel by sea instead of by plane, or if you are planning a tour between the islands of the Dodecanese or the Cyclades, you can also choose to reach Leros by boat.

You can choose between two companies for these routes: Blue Star Ferries and Dodekanisos Seaways. With Blue Star Ferries you can reach Leros from Athens, Rhodes, Kos and Kalymnos, as well as from Symi and Patmos. Since these routes take many hours, especially from Athens, it is preferable to travel at night and book a cabin for a more comfortable journey to the island of Leros.

All ferries to and from the island depart from Lakki, the main port of Leros.