Day 2: Palionisos beach – Leros

Leros is part of the Dodecanese or Southern Sporades. It’s a relatively small island with a jagged shoreline and lots of natural bays and coves, which explains why it’s been a base for seafaring vessels since ancient times. In the 20th century alone, it’s managed to attract new settlers from Turkey, Germany, Great Britain, and Italy. Citizens from the latter have made a significant contribution to the development of Leros, having built the city of Lakki and adding some flare to the local architecture.

Today, Lakki is home to a sprawling new marina, where most yachts come to moor. There are also more modest harbours in the cities of Pandeli, Agia Marina, Vromolitos, and Ksirokambos. These are considered the island’s main resorts. Each is lined with fabulous beaches, the best of which is in the hamlet of Gurna on the west coast.

The attractions on Leros include a number of churches sprinkled chaotically throughout the island, the majestic knights’ castle Castro in the village of Platanost, and the Artemis temple ruins seven kilometers from Alindi.