Hidden among the Dodecan islands in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea are Greek islands that are unique to others. Hotspots like Mykonos and Santorini are overflowing with tourists, but Leros remains untouched, quiet, historic, and deeply authentic. Once a place of exile and confinement, it has now become an attractive haven for those seeking natural beauty and local charm.
Also, Leros, known as “Outcasts Islands,” has a complicated past with visible traces of political history scattered throughout the landscape during the war. And with its calm crowdless beaches and outdoor relics, the island offers an unusually refreshing alternative to the tourist trails of Oberlan.
Unlike Greece's more popular and most visited islands, Leros has not become an overcrowded destination for popular tourism.
Its past was characterized by exclusion and confinement, and has been overlooked for decades. There is no vast resort, all inclusive hotels, family run guesthouses, charming seaside tavernas, no rhythm of local life.
After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Leros was occupied by Italy, and later endured the brutal battle of Leros by German artillery fire, concise British rule, and eventually united with Greece in 1948.
Over the next decades, the island was a site of exile camps for political prisoners during the dictatorship, housed mental hospitals, became known for its troublesome treatment of patients, and recently became the home of a refugee camp that many say have endured difficult and overcrowded conditions.
The island's history can be seen everywhere, from castles and Italian forts to World War II forts, war museums in the WWII tunnels, to churches overlooking the sea.
Leros offers turquoise water and several secret coves with quiet beaches such as Alinda, Agia Marina and Zerocambos.
Leros is also an ideal island for walking and cycling, with many notable routes passing through charming villages, beautiful bays and important historical and military locations from ancient times to World War II.
Leros' main port, Agia Marina features a lively waterfront lined with traditional tavernas, shops and cafes, making it the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood and unfold daily island life.
Pandeli is another village worth visiting. It is a small fishing village known for its historic 14th century castles in Pandeli, offering clear waters, colorful fishing boats and breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea.
