Hellenism archive

Leros, the island of goddess Artemis, is located north of Kalymnos. Its name comes from the ancient word "λερός" (“leros”) meaning smooth and flat. The island is characterized by low mountains and fertile valleys that go all the way down to the sea. Also, there are sandy and pebbly beaches, sheltered bays and small peninsulas. The villages of Leros are located mainly on the coast of the island. In the countryside, a network of paths leads to Byzantine churches, forgotten castles and deserted windmills.

Tourism developed slowly on Leros, which is fortunate since the island managed to retain its traditional character till nowadays. Also, the fact that Leros was an island of exile did not help in its touristic development. From 1958 to 1994, all the mentally disturbed patients who were unwanted by society were "hosted" in the asylum of the island.

Over the past two decades, the island gradually began to receive more and more visitors who enjoy the hospitality of the locals, who are famous for their folk culture, customs and musical tradition.

How to get there:

By ferry from Piraeus. Leros is also connected daily to the neighboring islands of Samos, Fournoi, Ikaria, Patmos, Lipsi, Kalymnos, Symi, Kos, Rhodes.

By plane from "Eleftherios Venizelos". There are daily flights from the airport of Athens.  Also, three times per week in the summer (and twice in the winter) there is a flight from Rhodes Airport with a stopover at Kos, Leros and Astypalaia.