Discover Leros: Coves, Diving and History
Accommodation in Leros
Leros combines a deeply indented coastline with a rich island history. Coves, natural harbours, and pebble and sandy beaches shape the landscape; beneath the water, there are discoveries of its own. There are also churches, castles, windmills, and architecture from different periods. Whether you want to spend most of your holiday by the sea or would rather include historic sites and culture, the island offers a range of ways to plan your trip.
Coast and Underwater World
The coast of Leros includes sheltered sea coves as well as natural harbours and pebble or sandy beaches. The landscape inland is also varied: low mountains, plains, and a narrow, green central area complement the coastal scenery. When choosing the focus of your holiday, you can weigh up experiences by the water and the island’s varied landscape.
Off the coast of Leros are extensive Posidonia seagrass meadows, colourful corals, and underwater caves. Divers can also explore eight shipwrecks around the island. An organised dive centre in Agia Marina offers comprehensive training. If diving is a particular interest, you can take these facilities into account when choosing where to stay. Sailors will also find suitable conditions: Leros’s calm coves are ideal for sailing.
Discover History and Culture
The Archaeological Museum of Leros is located in Agia Marina in a neoclassical building dating from 1882. Its finds illustrate the island’s history from prehistoric to Byzantine times. The museum offers a way to explore several historical periods, while the building itself is an example of neoclassical architecture.
The churches also tell the story of different periods in the island’s history. Agia Kioura in Partheni, which is designated a monument, is a single-aisle, barrel-vaulted church dating from the 18th century. It was built on the remains of an older place of worship. Agia Matrona-Kioura is designated as a protected monument and work of art; its frescoes were created by political exiles during the junta era. If you are interested in religious architecture or art history, you can include these sites in your plans for exploring the island.
On Mount Apityki, also known as Pityki, at an elevation of about 200 metres, stands the Castle of Panagia with the Church of the Theotokos. Another historic site is the Castle of Lepida, also known as Palaiokastro, considered the oldest surviving castle on Leros. Other distinctive structures include six 17th-century windmills standing on a hill. The Aerophone complex is considered a unique example of military architecture in Greece and one of the few surviving Aerophone installations in Europe with 360-degree coverage. The War Museum complements these themes with an outdoor area designed as a military museum park, displaying decommissioned military vehicles, trucks, armoured vehicles, and fighter aircraft. Porto Lagos, meanwhile, is an example of rationalist architecture.
Choosing Where to Stay and Island Cuisine
Agia Marina may be an interesting base if you would like to visit the Archaeological Museum, the local dive centre, or take a boat trip: the cruise aboard the wooden fishing boat Agios Georgios departs from Agia Marina’s small harbour. These options give you practical points of reference when choosing where to stay, without requiring you to focus your trip on just one theme. You can tailor your holiday apartment search to the experiences that matter most to you.
The local cuisine is also part of the island’s character. It features fresh fish, locally raised meat, and herbs from the fields. This suits a trip where you would like to discover local ingredients alongside the coast and culture. Flights operate from Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) to Leros Airport; the flight takes one hour.
For more travel ideas, you can also find pages about Partheni, Agia Marina, Lipsi, Alinda, Pserimos, Agathonisi, Grikos, and Vlychadia.
For the wider travel overview: Kalymnos.
