Tour of Leros Island
Leros is a small and beautiful island ideal for quiet and peaceful holidays.
It is a small paradise with endless green fields, fine clear beaches, graphic settlements and historic monuments.
According to mythology Leros was the island of goddess Artemis.
AGIA MARINA – PLATANOS
AGIA MARINA, the capital and the second port of the island consists of three settlements: Agia Marina itself, Platanos and Panteli.
Agia Marina in contrast with Lakki which is built on Italian style from the Mussolini’s times is a typical traditional Greek island’s city. It is plenty of shops, cafes, shops of Greek art and souvenirs, travel agencies, bars, clubs, restaurants and internet cafes.
PLATANOS the oldest of the three, is the administrative and commercial center of the capital.
On the summit of one of two hills on which the town is built stands the dominating, well-preserved castle, which was built in the Byzantine period and later extended by the Knights of St. John and the Venetians.
Inside the castle is the monastery of the Panagia Kyra (1300) which houses an important collection of Byzantine antiquities.
Tour of Leros Island
At the entrance to the harbor of Agia Marina is the Bourtzi, a Roman fort, build on the ruins of an ancient city.
In the town, it is also worth visiting some of the old churches and mansions, which contain objects dating from the 19th c.
In Platanos you will find hotels, rooms to let, taverns, coffee shops, travel agencies and many shops.
PANTELI
PANTELI is the third neighborhood of the capital, in the south part of Platanos with a picturesque bay.
It lies in the eastern part of Leros, below Platanos and Agia Marina.
Most of its houses are old and traditional.
Panteli is the traditional fishermen’s village.
Its unique atmosphere made it the most “in” place for the locals as well with the tourist.
Next to Panteli is the settlement of VROMOLITHOS with his extended and magic beach. In the region you will find hotels and rooms to let, coffee shops and bars.
ALINDA
ALINDA, a picturesque village build amidst lush greenery, is 3 kilometers from the center of Platanos, within the bay of this name.
It is the most tourist area of the island.
You will find modern hotels, bungalows, and a variety of apartments and rooms to let. It has all the tourist facilities: restaurants, taverns, coffee shops, travel agencies, car and motorcycle rentals, many shops, bars and clubs.
The main beach of the same name is lined with trees and has soft sand and clear waters.
The Historical and Folklore Museum of this village is housed in a superb mansion, the Tower of Belenis contains traditional costumes, musical instruments, printing presses, furniture, etc.
Near Gourna is the church of the Panagia Gourlomata (14th c.), which has rich painted decoration.
In Gourna the visitor will see many rural houses, the biggest sandy beach of the island and will find rooms to let and taverns.
Alinda is famous for its fine beaches of Drymonas and Kokkalis.
A few hundred meters from Alinda is the nice beach of Panagies
KRITHONI
KRITHONI is located between Alinda and Agia Marina.
It has beautiful houses, many small churches, old Lerian dwellings, many hotels, pensions, rooms to let, restaurants and entertainment centers.
LAKKI
LAKKI, 4 kilometers south of Agia Marina, is the main harbor of the island.
It was built by the Italians during the Italian occupation at the head of the secure bay, also named Lakki and was used as a naval base during the Second World War.
Several of the buildings erected by the Italians still survive.
Lakki is considered as one of the most famous and cosmopolitan summer resorts on Leros island.
Near the port of Lakki is popular sandy beach of Koulouki and the quiet beach of Merikia, a few kilometres west of Koulouki.
Lakki is the commercial center of the island with numerous shops, internet café, bars, night clubs, restaurants hotels and apartments to let.
Tour of Leros Island
XIROKAMPOS
The southernmost settlement of the island is XIROKAMPOS (7 kilometers south of Agia Marina).
High at the entrance to the village is Paliokastro, with the little church of the Panagia and sections of a 4th c. BC fortification wall.
Outside this settlement is the church of the Panagia Kavouradena.
Around Xirokampos you will find small beaches with golden sands and many trees, ideal for swimming and relaxing.
In Xirokampos there are apartments, rooms to let and a camping site.
PARTHENI
The small and idyllic village of PARTHENI, 8 kilometers west of the town of Agia Marina, is of considerable archaeological interest.
The excavations have brought into light the remains of Parthenos Artemis temple.
In the region you can swim in the beaches of Rina, Agios Stefanos and Blefoutis.
Blefoutis is a green settlement at the north side of the island, close to Partheni, with a fine and quiet beach which is located on a beautiful bay, offering shelter from the wind.
TRADITION – EVENTS
The biggest festival on the island is that of the Virgin on 15th August, celebrated at the church of the Panagia Kastrou, the patron saint of the island.
Leros has also a wine festival and cultural events.
Carnival is celebrated with much improvisation.
In Leros there is a tradition of dance and song.
The most characteristic dances are: isos, stavrotos a very popular dance in all Dodecanese islands, pasoumaki and syrtos.
LOCAL CUISINE
Lerian cuisine will tempt your taste with local fish dishes like “koukouvades” (fish marined in rosemary), fresh grilled octapus, fouskes and fish soup.
The local sweets are delicious.
Don’t forget to taste “pougakia” with almonds and honey, fritters called svigi and “xerotigana”.
