Leros

The island of Leros is a smaller Greek island (about 15 km long and only 1.5 km wide at its narrowest point) located in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea about 60 km from the island of Kos and is part of the Dodecanese archipelago. Leros is mountainous, the highest mountain is Kleidy (320 m above sea level), its coastline is very rugged. The popular island still retains its original atmosphere and attracts especially for relaxing holidays. On the island you will find plenty of shops, restaurants, fish taverns, pastry shops with traditional local sweets, cafes, bars and clubs.

The largest resort, and port, is Agia Marina, situated on a hillside. The remains of a Byzantine castle and the perimeter city walls dominate the whitewashed streets. A road leads to the castle and is flanked by windmills. This resort is linked to the area known as Krithoni. The tourist centre of Leros is Alinda, situated in a bay about 2,5 km from Agia Marini. It attracts beautiful beaches with fine sand, crystal sea, where there are plenty of opportunities for water sports, boat trips. On its seafront there is a fish market, boats and catamarans are moored. In Krithoni you can enjoy snorkelling, diving, fishing and sailing. Pandeli is also a popular spot on Leros.

It is of historical interest that the island was declared a prison after World War II. During the military dictatorship there was a large camp for political prisoners. As a result, it is less well-known to tourists and has retained its original character, which encourages a truly relaxing holiday or hiking and cycling. The War Material Museum is a gem that takes you "back in time" from the Venetian occupation to 1943. The museum displays more than 3000 objects: a collection of weapons, photographs, military personal effects. The seat of the Historical Museum is Bellenis Castle, which offers a magnificent view of the whole city. It is a historic tower that was built to defend against pirate raids in the 14th century.

Some of the buildings on the island are built in the Italian style from the time of the Italian occupation. The Italians also built the town of Lakki, where the streets are uncharacteristically wide. It is the island's main port in an almost enclosed bay. As on neighbouring islands, beekeeping and the typical thyme honey are widely practised here.

Basic information:

• Greek name: Leros, Λέρος
• Capital: Leros
• Island area: 54 km2
• Population: 8 000
• Highest peak: Kleidi (320 m above sea level