Leros Island
Aegean island with WWII history and sandy bays
Leros, a Dodecanese island, attracts visitors with rocky bays, fishing ports such as Lakki and Agia Marina, WWII forts, and a mix of pebble beaches and village tavernas.
Leros at a Glance#
Address: Leros Island, South Aegean, Greece
About Leros#
Leros is a Greek island in the Dodecanese group, in the southeastern Aegean Sea, known for its natural harbours and maritime history.
Leros was developed as a naval and strategic base under various powers in the 20th century and saw military activity during World War II; after a period of Italian rule in the early 20th century it became part of Greece in 1947. The island retains military-related infrastructure alongside civilian settlements.
Lying between Kos and Patmos in the South Aegean region, the island forms part of the Aegean archipelago and is served by ferries from larger Dodecanese ports and the Greek mainland.
- Main towns: Contains several main settlements including the port town of Lakki and the island’s principal village of Agia Marina, which serve as transport and accommodation hubs.
- Access: Part of the Dodecanese island group in the southeastern Aegean Sea, accessible by ferry from nearby islands and the mainland.
How to Get to Leros#
Leros is served by ferries from Piraeus and nearby islands (Kos, Kalymnos) with seasonal schedules that expand in summer. There is a small airport on nearby islands (Kos) with connections and a ferry link to Leros; direct ferries from Piraeus take several hours. Local car rental and buses help explore the island once ashore.
Tips for Visiting Leros#
- Explore the island's castle ruins and Byzantine-era fortifications early in the day to avoid summer ferry crowds.
- Taste the local octopus and seafood in the port villages-the island's cuisine leans heavily on the Aegean harvest.
- If visiting multiple islands, check ferry timetables: Leros has regular connections to Kos and Kalymnos but schedules can shift seasonally.
Best Time to Visit Leros#
Summer for beaches and festivals; shoulder seasons for quieter exploration and hiking.
Weather & Climate near Leros#
Leros's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 33°C. Moderate rainfall (665 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 8° - 13° | 11° | 143 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 8° - 14° | 11° | 107 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 9° - 16° | 13° | 76 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 12° - 20° | 16° | 33 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 16° - 25° | 20° | 15 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 20° - 30° | 25° | 5 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 23° - 33° | 28° | 1 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 23° - 32° | 27° | 2 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 19° - 29° | 24° | 14 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 16° - 24° | 20° | 42 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 12° - 19° | 15° | 83 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 9° - 15° | 12° | 144 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |