About Leros Island
Leros, a little-known Greek island, is a holiday destination that has not yet been fully discovered. With its location close to Turkey, it is an island generally preferred by Turks for holidays. Small bays and buildings with traditional Greek architecture attract attention in Leros, which is almost a box-like island. By purchasing a Leros ferry ticket , you can visit this beautiful island and join a wonderful sea voyage.
It is the choice of those who want a peaceful and quiet holiday with its friendly people, crystal clear sea and beautiful beaches. Its history dates back to ancient times, like other Greek islands. It remained under Ottoman rule for 400 years between 1522-1912, under Italian rule between 1912-1947, and joined Greece together with the Dodecanese Islands in 1947.
Where is Leros?
Leros, a Greek island north of Kalymnos, is opposite Bodrum, Yalıkavak and Didim. Although it is a small island due to its many indentations, it has a coastline of 71 km long. There are clean, peaceful and quiet bays and beaches almost everywhere. There are not many traces left of the Ottoman period in Leros, which was known as İleriye or Leros during Ottoman rule.
Its population
Leros, 22 miles away from Bodrum Turgutreis, is a small island with a population of 8,500. Its surface area is 74.17 km². The majority of the population is in Panteli, Lakki, Platanos and Aghia Marina.
Geographical Structure
With its jagged beaches, clean air and lush nature, Leros is one of the Greek islands most preferred by Turks. The island, where European tourists are very few, has a temperate climate. The constantly blowing wind makes the island much more livable against the sweltering heat of summer. Located at the top of the Plateau, Leros Castle, also known as Panaya Castle, is the highest point on the island.
Places to Visit in Leros
With its crystal clear sea, beautiful bays, unspoilt architectural structure and historical beauties, Leros appears as a wonderful option for a holiday. Moreover, with its proximity to Turkey and being an economical holiday, it receives many visitors from Turkey. You don't need that much time to see Leros, which is a small island, from one end to the other. With a few days' holiday, you can enjoy the sea, sun, nature and historical beauties and visit Leros from one end to the other.
Aya Marina
Aya Marina is a small and charming town located in the center of the island. The most eye-catching buildings of Laros, famous for its buildings, are here. Aya Marina, the oldest settlement on the island, was a small coastal town when it was first established, but today it has developed and merged with the other city of the island, Platonos. It is also a central place administratively and commercially. The shopping centers of the island are in Aya Marina. When you look at Hagia Marina from a distance, you can see white houses starting from the beach and extending towards the hills. The buildings have a maximum of three floors and their gardens and balconies are decorated with flowers. Aya Marina is very beautiful with its houses with colorful painted doors and windows, clean streets, cafes overlooking the sea where you can enjoy the sunset, and a mesmerizing sea in deep blue under sycamore.
Platanos and Leros Castle
The first settlers of Leros, which has been a settlement since prehistoric times, were Pelasgians, Carians and Lelegs. The island, which was captured by the Dorians and later the Ionians, was also invaded by the Persians, and in 1316 St. It was captured by John's Knights. It remained under Ottoman rule between 1669 and 1821, and came under Greek rule after 1821. Leros changed hands frequently until 1948 and was once again annexed to Greece.
Leros Castle, built by the Byzantine Emperor Komnenos in the 11th century, is a work that stands out with all its magnificence on the hill in Platanos. Leros Castle (The Panayia Castle), which was later renovated by the Knights of Rhodes, watches the island from the hill. There is the Virgin Mary Church inside the castle, which can be reached by climbing 400-500 stairs. For this reason, the castle is also called the Virgin Mary Castle. At the foot of the castle is the old church of Aghia Paraskevi.
Platanos; It attracts attention with its traditional houses, ancient city ruins, narrow streets and Platanos Square leading to Aghia Marina. Its neoclassical architecture houses and narrow intertwined streets are recommended as places and places worth seeing.
lakki
Located on the western coast of Leros, Lakki is a town with the most advanced marine on the island. It was founded by Italians in the 1930s under the name Portolago. With its magnificent view overlooking Kalymnos and sheltered bays, Lakki is a must-see town during your Leros holiday. The most developed port in the Dodocanese islands is the port of Lakki. Most of its buildings were built after the Italian occupation. For the Italians, the port of Lakki is of great importance in controlling the maritime trade between Africa and Europe.
While Lakki had a population of 4,000 people, it reached a population of 30,000 people after the settlements built by Mussolini's order. Although many buildings have been abandoned recently, they are worth seeing.
Church of Agios Isidoros
It is one of the historical places that can be seen in Leros. The church, located in the west of Leros, is near Kokkali and is connected to the land by a 50-meter thin road above the sea. Agios Isidoros Church, a white structure built on the rocks above the sea, is one of the most photographed spots on the island. It is also known as the Agios Isidoros Chapel. It was built in an area where there was a temple from the Roman period. The church, which dates back to the 5th century, has been rebuilt 5 times in the past.
Leros, which has many beaches such as Panteli Beach, Blefoutis Beach, Dio Liskaria Beach, Vromolithos Beach, Krithoni Beach, Hirokambos Beach and Gourna Beach, is a tourist paradise with its sea and beaches.
Accommodation Opportunities
There are very economically priced hotels and motels for accommodation in Leros. Budget hotels, family hotels, beach hotels, aparthotels, hotels with pools, apartments, pet-friendly hotels and self-catering facilities offer services at prices that appeal to every budget.
Budget hotels;
Alinda Hotel
Agia Marina
Vromolithos
Family Hotels;
Alinda Hotel
Bianco Boitique Hotel
Utopia Hotel Apartments
Nefeli Hotel Leros
Beach Hotels;
ApartHotel Papafotis
Sunrise Bay
Villa Clara Leros
Apart Hotels;
ApartHotel Papafotis
Alidian bay Suites Leros
Pet Friendly Hotels;
Nefeli Hotel Leros
ApartHotel Papafotis
Leros, where there are no 5-star hotels but only 2 and 4-star hotels, offers very economical accommodation options for those who are not too picky and want a peaceful holiday.
Festivals Special Events
July and August are the most crowded and lively holiday season in Leros. The island becomes much more colorful and lively with the festivals and events held during these periods. Those who want to get to know the traditional Greek culture closely and see the natural beauties of Leros and have an unforgettable holiday prefer to have a holiday in Leros, one of the closest islands to Turkey.
Festival of Our Lady of Kastro
The Virgin Mary Festival, held every year on August 15, brings together people from all over the world. Relatives living in other countries, especially Greece and the islands, come together. Christians celebrate the death day of the saints as a festival on August 15, when they believe that the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven. The Virgin Mary Festival is celebrated with cultural events in a grand festive atmosphere.
Fisherman's Festival
The Fisherman's Festival, held on the weekend of the first week of September, is held in the evenings in Panteli square. During the festival, where prayers for abundance are made, fish and seafood are cooked and served to the guests. While long barbecue stands on the streets create a colorful and delicious image, guests enjoy pleasant moments while enjoying fish and raki against the sea view.
Food culture
The people of Leros, who eat mainly olive oil, introduce Mediterranean cuisine to their guests with their rich cuisine consisting of seafood and vegetables. In Leros cuisine, where there are many varieties of appetizers, squid, mussels and octopus attract attention, as in other Greek islands.
Sea urchin eaten raw with lemon and olive oil, tiny fish called Papalina, stuffed onion, stuffed cabbage and moussaka are the main dishes of Leros cuisine. Soumada, a tropical fruit juice, and Gavafes are drinks specific to the island.
You don't have to pay a lot to taste delicious seafood eaten in taverns with magnificent nature and sea views. You can taste seafood at very economical prices and have an economical holiday by eating and drinking.
Shopping
There are many sales points where you can find authentic products in Leros, where those who have been to the Greek islands want to visit again. In addition to outlets and shopping malls, boutiques are also visited by tourists. Olive oil stands out as the most common souvenir product. On the island, where you will find quality olive oil, olive oil is sold in 3 or 5 kilo tin cans, amphorae or containers in the design of an ancient Greek goddess. Extra virgin olive oils are of the highest quality and are the most purchased products by tourists.
Honey purchased from local beekeepers is unique to the island. As for drinks, metaxa, cognac, vodka ouzo, anis, rakia and wine are among the drinks purchased after holiday.
Olive oil cosmetic products are also famous on the island, which is the hometown of olive oil. Olive oil cream, shower gel and natural soap attract a lot of attention from tourists. Handmade ceramic souvenirs are preferred as different gifts with their designs and patterns specific to Leros.
There are many people who want to buy gifts for themselves and their loved ones on the island, where seashells, sea sponges, as well as gold and silver jewelry are sold. Stylish designs in jewelry, which is indispensable for women, attract tourists.
You can also buy handmade towels or napkins, and have beautiful memories with island-specific souvenirs upon your return from holiday.
Transportation Alternatives
You can have a safe ferry journey by purchasing a Yeşil Marmaris lines ferry ticket to Leros, which is only 1 hour away from Bodrum. You can purchase Leros Yesil Marmaris lines ferry tickets from the company's website. Tickets sold as one-way or round-trip only are offered at prices varying depending on the ticket type, with or without a car. If you want to purchase a Leros ferry ticket for your holiday, we recommend that you do not leave it to the last minute. While planning your holiday, it is important to buy your ferry ticket early so that the holiday can be held during the planned period.
You can reach Leros by plane, via Athens, by going to Athens with Turkish Airlines before arriving in Istanbul. Ferry travel from Bodrum to Leros, which is the easiest transportation method, is the most preferred transportation method. You need to have a green passport to go to Leros, which is visible from the Turkish coast. Those who have a Schengen visa can also have a daily holiday in Leros. Visa application at the door is not valid for Leros. For this reason, entry without a visa is not accepted. You can also go to Leros via Kos island with a transfer.
Yesil Marmaris, which has been providing ferry service since 1962, is highly preferred as a reliable tourism company where you can purchase Leros ferry tickets. You can buy Leros ferry tickets online for the date range you want. You can reserve your ticket by marking the trip type and return dates on the site where online reservations are made safely.
