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Panteli Castle: Built in the Byzantine era on Apityki Hill, the imposing Panteli Castle in Agia Marina, the capital of the island, protected the inhabitants of Leros from marauding pirates. To the west stands the church of the Virgin Mary, the island's religious emblem. According to legend, the icon of the Virgin Mary is miraculous, as it appeared out of the sea and was installed between two large candles in the Castle's gunpowder stores, despite the efforts of the agha at the time to remove it. The church bell was made of brass and silver by Russian craftsmen, and the templon, made in 1745, is also impressive. The Castle offers the ideal vantage point for a view of the island and the Aegean.

War Museum - Merikia Tunnel: The authentic wartime tunnel in Merikia was converted with respect and great care into an exhibition space unique in Greece. This unusual war museum houses a number of artefacts found all over the island and in the sea, along with others donated by the Greek Army, such as charts, photographs, weapons, uniforms and a number of other items related to the Second World War. An overwhelming space that bring to life an important piece of the wartime history of this solitary island.
Telephone: +30 22470 22109

Lakki: During the Italian occupation of the Dodecanese, there was a relatively organised effort to Italianise the islands. So in the 1930s, the Italian authorities built the town of Portolago above the natural harbour along the lines of Italian city planning and it came to be the most important naval base in the wider area. The Greeks later called this peculiar settlement "Lakki". When visiting there, pay particular attention to the Art Deco cinema in the village and the church of Agios Ioannis Theologos with the splendid 11^th century mosaics.

Settlements: Aristocratic Agia Marina, the capital of the island, has merged with the settlement of Platanos, with the whitewashed neighbourhoods climbing the slopes of Apityki hill. Further on from Platanos, the charming fishing village of Panteli draws the attention of tourists with its beautiful beach. Just 3 km from Platanos, tourist-oriented Alinta features the Belleni Tower which houses the island's folk art museum with the garden which hosts cultural events during the summer. At the southern end of the island, opposite the island of Kalymnos, the quiet seaside village of Xirokampos in a green valley is the location of an excellent diving centre, and from there you can also take a day trip across to Kalymnos. At the northern end of the island, the small village of Partheni took its name from the sanctuary of Parthena ("Virgin") Artemis found in the area. On the west side, in the large Bay of Gourna, the village of the same name is a good place to enjoy beautiful sunsets and a variety of seafood at the charming little restaurants.

Agios Isidoros: In the Kokkali area, you will come upon a strange spectacle. A tiny church floats like a boat on the water, as the only thing connecting it to the mainland is a very narrow strip of land. This is Agios Isidoros, very popular with couples looking for a particularly romantic setting for their wedding.

Churches: There are hundreds of tiny chapels scattered throughout the island. To the north of Partheni, Agia Kioura is decorated with religious paintings created by political prisoners held on the island during the dictatorship. Near the settlement of Xirokampos, an icon of Panagia Kavouradena, depicting the Virgin Mary in the claws of a crab, is found in a chapel squeezed in among the rocks. It is said that the church got its name because a fisherman found the icon in the rocks while looking for crabs.

Beaches
The most tourist-oriented beach is in Alinta, while Agia Kioura is more popular because of its clear blue waters. Beaches more suited for families include Panteli, Vromolithos with the salt cedar trees, Agia Marina and Blefoutis. Panagies and Dyo Lisgaria are also easily accessed. Gourna, to the west, is one of the few sandy beaches on the island, and in the same area you will find Kokkali and Drymonas. Vromolithos is an organised beach with a lovely beach bar, while Xirokampos is the place for scuba diving.

Excursions to neighbouring islands: The islets and rocky outcrops surrounding Leros hide pristine beaches, sparkling waters and dozens of spots for fishing and diving. During the summer, an excursion boat leaves Agia Marina daily for the small islands of Marathi, Aspronisia, Tiganakia and Leipsous, while from Xirokampos, you can cross over to the island of Kalymnos on the local boat.

Dive into history: Leros could be considered the ultimate diving destination, particularly by those who enjoy the impressive sight of a shipwreck. The Leros waters are littered with wrecks of ships and aeroplanes from World War II, with the most significant among them being the Vassilissa Olga, a Greek destroyer now lying at the bottom of the harbour. Of course, the clear sea bottom also features a wealth of marine life, both plant and animal, as well underwater geological formations. Find out more at any of the numerous diving centres on the island, such as Leros Diving and Camping in Xirokampos (Tel.: 2247023372).

In Leros, it is worth buying the traditional products known for their excellent quality and purity. Look for local honey, fresh myzithra cheese, xerotigana pastries, pougakia turnovers and mouthwatering svigous (similar to doughnut holes). You must also try the local wines. There are shops filled with souvenirs in Platanos, Lakki and Alinta. Look for handmade embroideries and decorated pottery. Leros also provides a wealth of sweet treats just waiting to be sampled. The pougia pastry "envelopes" with a bitter almond filling are highly recommended, as well as soumada orgeat syrup made from bitter almonds. Myzithra cheese is a traditional Leros product coated in a special mix of grape must, oil and thyme called "tyria".

The cuisine of Leros is based on simple, traditional flavours. Try the salt-cured mackerel, fouskies shellfish, koukouvades (fresh fish marinated in rosemary) and small pies filled with delicious fava. You should also try the sea urchin salad and kakavia fish stew made with fresh fish right off the boat. Leros nightlife revolves around small, friendly bars. The centre of island nightlife, even in winter, is Agia Marina.

Numerous festivals take place in the summer months. The more significant ones include the celebration of the Castle Panagia on 15 August, the feast of Agios Fanourios in Xirokampos on 27 August and Agia Marina on 17 July. The Gourna Festival features a re-enactment of traditional threshing and many local snack foods are served. The Vintner Festival includes a lively celebration as the wine flows, while the Drymonas festival is held at the beach it is named for with Leros foods and plenty of wine, food and dancing to the sounds of traditional and popular music. In September in Panteli, the Fishing Boat and Fisherman's Festival honours - what else - fish!

Transport from the airport

Aegean Airlines lands at Leros National Airport. It is located in Partheni in the northern part of the island, 9 km from Platanos. To get around, you can use a taxi and the ride costs about €10. You can also rent a car from the car rental agency at the airport.