Towns & Villages

1. Alinda Leros

Alinda village is located in the center of the bay of Agia Marina and it gathers most of the island's tourist traffic.The area is full of pine and olive trees and in a close distance you can find idyllic beaches for swimming and water sports. Ιn Alinda there is the Beleni Tower, a former summer residence of Parisis Bellinis, patriot and benefactor of Leros. It is a traditional, stone mansion, restored with special care, which today houses the Leros Historical and Folklore Museum. In the garden of Belenis’ Tower every summer are organized many cultural and artistic events. It has a variety in accommodation, restaurants and stores with sport supplies, as in the area every summer in August the nautical-athletic races "Alindia" are organized with great success.

2. Lakki Leros

Lakki is the main port of Leros and is the largest natural port in the Mediterranean Sea. This was the reason chosen by the Italians to build the main base for the Italian Royal Navy in the Dodecanese, which was then under the Italian rule. The naval base included many naval buildings and facilities. It had a landing area for seaplanes. The island's guard consisted of about 6,500 men. It was the port for two destroyers, two small missiles and four submarines.

At the same time they decided to build a new city according to Italian standards, but with a new architectural concept. The new city would house thousands of Italians, including army officials and their families. The architects of the plan were A. Bernaditti and R. Petracco who were sent in 1923 to Leros for the construction of the new city. The result of this project, which the Italians named Portolago, is today considered the only authentic example of Rational Architecture outside Italy.new

When they arrived in Leros, the two architects began to plan the utopian city from scratch. They came up with a plan with wide, curved roads, tree lines and parks. Next to the customs would be the economic zone where the cinema, the market and the hotel would be housed. Inside the city there would be the residential zone where it would consist of separate houses in the shape of a cylinder and a cube with large gardens for employees and army officers. A large hospital was also built. The whole city is an architectural treasure that has survived to this day. It is said that Mussolini had a mansion for himself near the city.

In 1947, when the Dodecanese passed under the Greek rule, Portolago was renamed Lakki and most of the impressive buildings ware left. During the dictatorship, a camp of political prisoners was set up in Lakki and Partheni. The houses of the Italians passed into the hands of the locals while most of the public buildings passed to the Municipality oof Leros.

It took time for the architectural value of the city to emerge. Typical examples of this architecture is the church, the theater, the school, the hospital, the barracks, the hotel and especially the circular market. Most of the buildings are still in bad condition, although some restoration work has been done.

Nearby there are many beaches ideal for swimming and diving as well as for day trips where you can enjoy your swim and fish. Lakki has a fairly modern market, hotels, restaurants and cafes.

3. Agia Marina Leros

Agia Marina in Leros, together with Platanos and Panteli, constitute a single residential unit and are characterized as traditional villages. Agia Marina is located in the southern part of the Bay of Alinda, between the hills of Apitiki and Merovigli, north of Platanos while in the south is Panteli. Agia Marina has many traditional houses and imposing mansions, narrow alleys, while in its port is the fortress Bruzi or Bourtzi, dates back in Roman times. Above Agia Marina is the famous Castle of Panagia, which is built on the top of the hill Apitiki and has a panoramic view of the endless blue of the Aegean. In Agia Marina is the church of the same name that was built in 1933 on the site of an older one. The rhythm is cruciform Byzantine with a dome. The church belongs to the Holy Metropolis of Leros Kalymnos and Astypalea and celebrates on July 17.

Walking to the side towards Alinda there is a beautiful small swimming beach that overlooks the Watermill of Agia Marina, one of the most photographed places on the island. The settlement is an attraction for tourists as it has everything needed for a pleasant stay. There you will find shops, hotels, restaurants, cafes and lively nightlife. Also in Agia Marina there are schools, the post office, the police and the port.

4. Platanos Leros

Platanos along with the settlement of Agia Marina and Panteli form Leros’s capital. Owning its name to an old plane tree from 1765, Platanos village is a popular destination on the island of Leros. It is the historical and cultural center of the island with a neoclassical touch of two-storey houses and emblematic mansions. On top of that, narrow streets and small squares create a charming scenery.

If you are in a good shape, climbing the 300 stairs starting from Platanos, up to the Medieval fortress standing on top of the hill at the highest spot of the island, is worthwhile. The path is very picturesque and offers amazing views. Other monuments worth visiting include the Town Hall, the Library, the Church of Holy Cross and that of Evangelistria. In Platanos village you can find many souvenir shops and convenient stores, taverns, restaurants and cafes as well as accommodation options for all budgets and preferences.

5. Panteli Leros

Panteli is a small, picturesque fishing village with a authentic island character on the east side of Leros next to Platanos. Its old traditional houses combined with the fishermen's boats compose an idyllic scene with background the endless blue of the sea. Above Panteli is the imposing Byzantine castle of Panagia and the windmills, the trademark of Leros. The beach located within the homonymous bay is one of the most popular on the island. The relatively small beach with the fine sand, the small pebbles and the crystal clear shallow waters is ideal for families with young children. Panteli is definitely one of the most picturesque places on the island.