Leros

Day 1: Ease into island life on the sheltered east coast Start slow and local, with your first swims where the water is calm and clear. Today blends gentle beach time with classic village scenes beneath the castle.

• Morning: Coffee and a bakery stop in Agia Marina, then a first dip at the town beach (Blue Flag; perfect for families). Continue to Alinda for a longer swim; hire a scooter or use the bus if you prefer not to walk the bay.
• Midday: Settle on Alinda’s sunbeds (often complimentary if you lunch at the taverna behind them). Try paddle-boarding if the sea is flat; in high summer, take a shaded siesta under the tamarisk trees between 13:00–16:00 when the sun bites.
• Afternoon: Move around the headland to Dio Liskaria for turquoise water and laid-back beach-bar vibes; bring sea shoes for pebble entry and snorkelling around the rocks. If there’s a light northerly breeze, conditions here remain lovely; with stronger meltemi winds, skip north-facing coves and aim for Vromolithos instead.
• Evening: Roll down to Panteli for a sunset swim beside bobbing fishing boats, then eat fresh fish at a table on the pebbles. Join the easygoing volta along the waterfront; taxis are simple to arrange back to your base.

Day 2: Quiet northern coves and the story of Lakki This is your serene-and-story day: lake-calm water beneath tamarisks, a moving little chapel from Greece’s modern history, and rationalist-era architecture by the big natural harbour.

• Morning: Drive to Blefoutis for a long, unhurried swim in its protected bay; it’s almost always calm even when elsewhere is choppy. Order a mid-morning freddo under the trees and watch the colours shift across the water.
• Midday: Continue to Agia Kioura for the poignant chapel painted by political exiles and a wild, facility-free swim; bring water, snacks and good footwear for the track. In July–August meltemi, swap this for sheltered Xirokampos on the south coast.
• Afternoon: Head to Lakki to stroll its unusual Italian-era avenues and sea front, then visit the Leros War Museum in the WWII tunnel at Merikia. Cool off with a locals’ dip at nearby Koulouki’s small coves; facilities are minimal, so pack a towel and water.
• Evening: Dine by the harbour in Lakki as the bay glows at dusk; this is a lovely place for a slow meal and people-watching. If you fancy a nightcap, wander the promenade for gelato or a quiet drink before turning in.

Day 3: Southern chapels, boat-access coves, and west-coast sunset Choose adventure by boat or a land-based loop that mixes rock-chapel swims with warm, shallow sands. Finish with one of the island’s great sunsets.

• Morning: Option A: Rent a small motorboat from Alinda or Panteli (no licence needed for the small boats); after a safety briefing, trace the indented coast to tiny coves like Kryfos for snorkelling in crystal water. Option B: Drive to Xirokampos for a gentle morning swim and a visit to the little chapel of Panagia Kavouradena built into the rocks.
• Midday: Lunch at a traditional taverna in Xirokampos (grilled fish, Greek salad, cold beer); in peak heat, follow local rhythm and linger in the shade. Divers can enquire at the local centre about shore dives or courses; otherwise, keep swims short and frequent.
• Afternoon: Cross to Gourna on the west coast for soft, dark sand and very warm, shallow water—great for children and beach games. Make a quick photo stop at nearby Agios Isidoros, the little church on a causeway, and time your return to the beach for golden-hour light.
• Evening: Stay put for sunset at Gourna—bring a light jumper if a breeze picks up—and then dine at a beachfront taverna with your toes in the sand. Buses thin out after dinner; pre-book a taxi if you’re not driving.

Tips threaded through the days

• Sunbeds are often free if you eat at the host taverna; otherwise expect €7–€15 per set. It’s polite to order something if you use their shade.
• With meltemi (strong northerlies, mainly July–August), favour the eastern and southern bays (Alinda, Panteli, Vromolithos, Xirokampos); avoid exposed northern coves.
• Pebble entries keep the water exceptionally clear—sea shoes help. Watch for sea urchins near rocks, and reapply high-factor sunscreen after every swim.

By Air

• Leros Municipal Airport (LRS), at Partheni (north Leros). Taxi times: 10–15 min to Agia Marina/Alinda/Panteli, 15–20 min to Lakki, 20–25 min to Xirokampos.
• Athens (ATH) to Leros: ~50–60 minutes, year‑round (typically daily in summer; fewer in winter). Operated by Olympic Air/Aegean; schedules vary seasonally.
• No international flights to Leros. Nearest international gateways:
  • Kos (KGS): frequent summer flights from Europe; ferry to Leros ~1–3 hours depending on vessel and route.
  • Rhodes (RHO): extensive international network; ferry to Leros ~3.5–6 hours (longer on slower services).
  • Samos (SMI): seasonal international and domestic flights; ferry to Leros ~2.5–4 hours.
  • Kalymnos (JKL): limited domestic flights; ferry to Leros ~50–90 minutes.

By Sea

• Ports on Leros: Lakki (main port) and Agia Marina (some high‑speed services). Check your ticket for the arrival port.
• From Piraeus (Athens): Blue Star Ferries overnight services, ~8.5–11 hours, usually daily in summer and several times weekly off‑season.
• Inter‑island routes (frequencies highest May–Oct):
  • Kos–Leros: ~1–3 hours.
  • Kalymnos–Leros: ~50–90 minutes.
  • Rhodes–Leros: ~3.5–6 hours.
  • Patmos–Leros: ~40–90 minutes.
  • Samos (Pythagoreio/Vathi)–Leros: ~2–4.5 hours.
• Main operators: Blue Star Ferries (conventional ferries; carry vehicles) and Dodekanisos Seaways (high‑speed catamarans; usually foot passengers only). Book early in peak season.
• Local shuttle: seasonal small boats link Kalymnos and Leros (often Xirokampos–Kalymnos), ~20–35 minutes, multiple daily when weather permits.

By Train

• No train access to islands. For ferries, use rail/metro to Piraeus in Athens (then sail to Leros). From Thessaloniki and other cities, trains connect to Athens for onward ferry travel.

By Bus

• No direct bus to Leros. Use KTEL or urban transport to reach ferry ports (Piraeus, or ports on Kos/Rhodes/Samos) for onward sailings to Leros. In Athens, buses/metro run to Piraeus.

By Car

• You cannot drive to Leros; take a vehicle ferry (primarily Blue Star) from Piraeus or neighbouring islands. Reserve vehicle spaces well in advance in July–August.
• High‑speed boats typically do not take cars.
• Car hire is available on Leros; roads are mostly paved, with some unpaved access to remote coves.