The real life in Leros Island
Nestled in the heart of the Dodekanisia archipelago, Leros is a haven for those looking to escape the bustling tourist crowds of popular Greek islands. This charming isle is known for its stunning landscapes and authentic Greek culture. Whether you are seeking a peaceful retreat or an adventure-packed getaway, Leros offers it all.
An overview of Leros, a Greek island in the Dodecanese celebrated for its authentic atmosphere and unique Italian-influenced architecture. Travelers can explore a variety of landmarks, including the Castle of Panteli, historical windmills, and submerged World War II shipwrecks popular with divers. The documentation details a diverse range of lodging, from family-run studios and aparthotels in Alinda to high-end boutique villas and pet-friendly resorts. Practical advice highlights the financial benefits of visiting during the shoulder season, when costs for flights and accommodations drop significantly compared to the crowded summer months. Visitors are encouraged to utilize local ferries or domestic flights for access and to rent scooters or cars for island mobility. Ultimately, the materials present Leros as a peaceful alternative to more commercialized Greek destinations, emphasizing its traditional gastronomy and natural beauty.
Beaches to Explore
Leros is famous for its beautiful beaches, each unique in its charm. From the serene shores of Alyki to the vibrant atmosphere of Agia Marina, there is a beach for every taste. Travelers can indulge in relaxing sunbathing, swimming in crystal-clear waters, or enjoying water sports. Make sure to pack your beach gear and prepare for a day of sun and fun.
Tips for Your Stay in Leros
Your visit to Leros can be a delightful experience if planned right. Start by exploring the island’s rich history and its picturesque villages. Don’t miss out on local delicacies, which can be found at the numerous tavernas scattered across the island. To avoid common pitfalls, consider joining guided tours to better understand the culture and history of Leros. With the right tips, you will surely enjoy this hidden gem of the South Aegean Sea.
Bodrum
From 2026, you can go on an excursion for a few days to Bodrum in Turkey for some shopping at the bazaar. There will be 4 catamaran rotations per day for the tourist season! Three to Bodrum and one to Cesme
CURRENT EVOLUTION
Uncertainty about the futureUncertainty about the future
Today, 15% belong to foreigners. Leros has been selling to the Turks for 2 years with buildings that are no longer residential but more to accommodate tourists. The traditional Leriot style is not respected to welcome these new owners in their conditions.
OUT OF TIME
Of risky choiceOf risky choice
The island is a little paradise but we hardly take care of it. The year 2024 was marked by a water shortage while the island has many springs. The island is not clean with open-air trash cans with the wind. The natural environment is not a local concern just like biodiversity.
SPECIAL FILOXENIA PARTICULIERE
Very different from GreeceVery different from Greece
This Greek reputation of welcoming the foreigner well, since a traveling people itself is not part of the local culture. A little tourism but not too much. The island was flattered by a generation of Western foreigners without appreciating it to the point of replacing it today by Turkish neighbors.
SOME TIPS
SOME TIPS
From LEROS in a few hours by ferry or a short hour by plane, you are in Attica in Athens… To better appreciate the Greek capital and experience Athens and Greece as a local we recommend the exclusive information of our partner vivreathenes.com shares his favorites, his itineraries and his good addresses to explore Greece with pleasure, curiosity and authenticity.
We remain largely doubtful towards two words in particular LUXURY and GOURMET!!
If we understand that the word luxury allows you to rent your accommodation more expensively, it seems really difficult if you have traveled a little to see a similarity with truly luxury in some just passable accommodation!!
As for the gourmet, perhaps we are influenced by our French culture but there is generally no difficulty in restaurant cuisine, the ingredients are quite common, the wine has room for improvement and let’s not talk about the service which often remains in the realm of parody!
Even if all these islands are separated by a few kilometers, everything separates them and first of all on the mentality. All blame Leros for his past as a spoiled child with financial allocations during the years of the psychiatric hospital by the European Union!
No one knows each other from one island to another, everyone hates each other (according to football matches). More surprising, the cultures are different, the songs, the cuisines, the architectures and even more surprising the languages
Everything has become very expensive on the island in a few years and nothing has evolved to justify these increases, which is extremely frustrating.
In fact, it’s an old tradition that justifies this: that of spending 110 days on the beast of passage in the summer so as to do nothing in the winter and especially not prepare for the coming season. Problem is, this was previously possible with cash payments! VAT and social charges are an additional cost of 45%! No problem, we are increasing our prices by 50%! More obviously the usual surcharge for the month of August coupled with a drop in quality to reward those who pay the high price!! The price of the service has long been exceeded, but we continue to vaccinate the adventurous tourists who still come to knock out the Turkishes !
We will certainly have to start thinking about working more during the year…
In addition to a language problem, there is also such a difference in state of mind that it is very difficult to understand each other sometimes!
More surprisingly, this is further complicated by a complete lack of curiosity!
The locals don’t know at all what we foreigners like about Leros and in any case it’s not the same thing at all that is appreciated: the magic of nature! They like to say leros m’as (our leros) but don’t hesitate to damage it with their waste and their negligence
Often this is because most have never left Greece! Also total absence of curiosity from abroad! Unlike the much more open continental Greeks!
To put it simply, if you need a social life you are not in the right place! You have to be “content” with relationships with other foreigners…
