Leros is a wonderful island in the Dodecanese, situated just next to Kalymnos. You can reach Leros by ferry (9 hours) from Athens or fly there. It is also very close to Bodrum in Turkey, approximately 20 miles. There’s also the option of hopping on a ferry to Leros from other islands, including Kalymnos, Symi, Rhodes, Patmos, Kos, Mykonos, and Paros.
This magnificent island is one of the remote islands of Greece, where the distinctive traditional character remains untouched. Although it is not among the top tourist destinations, it is an amazing choice for people who wish to enjoy laid-back holidays without the crowds and the fuss of the most popular Greek islands. Leros is known for its amazing beaches, raw landscapes of extreme beauty, and quaint little villages scattered around.
Here’s a guide to the best beaches in Leros and all the info you’ll need if you are planning to visit them while on the island:
8 Amazing Leros Beaches to Visit
Aghia Kioura
Among the top beaches in Leros is Aghia Koura, also called Matrona or Chiopolitis. Situated in the Gulf of Partheni on the north coast of the island. It is a beach named after the beautiful Church above it, perhaps one of the most important monuments on the island of Leros.
The church is dedicated to Aghia Matrona, a woman from Chios who became a nun. The church is a quaint little piece of history, with murals and icons inside and a wonderful view outside. It overlooks the amazing beach.
The beach itself is a sandy heaven with crystal-clear waters. It offers some natural shade from the trees, but if the beach gets crowded, it won’t suffice. The beach is unorganized, so you can enjoy pristine nature in absolute tranquility.
There are no food or refreshment options nearby, so bring your own and come prepared for a lovely day at the beach. You can get to Aghia Kioura beach by car, with road access down to the beach.
Blefoutis
Blefoutis beach can also be found on the northern coast of Leros. It is located 1.5 km from the Partheni region and pretty close to the airport of Leros. It is considered historical because it has a grape-shot gun from World War II, which you can see.
It is a sandy beach with emerald waters, surrounded by tamarisk trees that provide some shade. It is mostly protected from the winds, so there are no waves.
You can find a restaurant that offers fresh fish, but there are no umbrellas, sunbeds, or a beach bar. You won’t usually find many people here, so it’s quiet. You can go to Blefouti by car, as there is road access.
Dyo Liskaria
Dyo Liskaria is a beautiful beach in Leros found 7 km from Platanos village, near Alinda.
It is a sandy beach with lovely waters and a few trees here and there that provide shade. The beach is fully organized, with a few sunbeds and umbrellas from the beach bars and restaurants of the area. You will find both food and refreshments here. Access to the beach is very easy by road.
Alinda
Alinda is among the best beaches in Leros, visited by many locals and travelers in summer. You can easily access it by car via an asphalt road. Park it and simply walk a few meters from the settlement to the shore.
It is a long and narrow, partly sandy and partly pebbly beach with shallow crystalline waters. You can find umbrellas and sunbeds here, beach bars, or even mini markets to grab groceries. There’s plenty of shade from the trees as an alternative.
Tip: You can also try water sports here as there are facilities for adventurous types.
Panteli
Panteli Beach is located in Panteli village, a picturesque fishing village that has become a cosmopolitan hub in Leros, thanks to its resort and tourist facilities. You will find Panteli near Platanos, on the eastern side of Leros.
The beach is a landscape of endless blue. Its shore is sandy, but its seabed has thin pebbles that turn to bigger rocks in some places. The waters are mirror-like, creating mesmerizing hues of turquoise, green, blue, and emerald.
The beach is filled with yachts moored on the pier and many fish restaurants to eat local delicacies and fresh fish. You can walk to the shore, it is only 5 minutes away from the settlement of Panteli Resort, or simply walk for 10 minutes from Agia Marina. There is road access to get you to the settlements by car.
Vromolithos
Surely among the best beaches in Leros, Vromolithos Beach is a quiet beach near Panteli with magnificent waters and natural shade from trees.
The cove is mostly sandy, but it also has pebbles at some of its parts. It is fully organized with sunbeds and umbrellas and restaurants and beach bars to accommodate tourists. Generally, it is less crowded than Panteli Beach nearby. You can get there easily by car.
Gourna Beach
Gourna Beach is also among the top beaches in Leros, and you can find it just 7 km west of Platanos, the capital of the island. It is the beach of the village of Gourna, known for the monumental church of Agios Isidoros, a sight you wouldn’t want to miss.
Gourna is a long beach with a sandy shore and crystal-clear waters, inviting you to dive in. They are also shallow, so this beach is family-friendly.
You can grab something to eat on Gourna Beach if you visit the taverns. There are also various accommodation options in the village. You can reach Gourna Beach via the village, and there is good road access.
Tip: Get to Agios Isidoros Church through a bridge you can find on the beach. It leads to a 50-meter-high rock with the church and great views of the Aegean Sea.
Merkies Beach
Last but not least, you can find Merkies Beach right after the port in Lakki, close to the small beach of Koulouki.
There is a road that leads to Merkies Beach, so it would be easy to get there by car.
Merkies is a pebbly beach that is relatively quiet and family-friendly. It is unorganized for the most part, but on the eastern side, you can find a beach bar with umbrellas and sunbeds, as well as drinks and snacks. Alternatively, you can enjoy the ample shade of the tamarisk trees.
Tip: If you are looking for extra privacy, you can also look for a smaller secluded beach dotted with pine trees right after Merkies.