Leros Beaches: Alinda, Pandeli, Vromolithos, Gourna and Xirokambos
Leros keeps its busiest beaches on the sheltered east coast at Alinda, Pandeli and Vromolithos, and its quietest sands on the west and south at Gourna and Xirokambos. Deep bays cut into the coast on every side, so each beach sits in its own bay a short drive apart. The east-coast beaches have soft sand, tamarisk shade and tavernas, while the wider western and southern sands suit travellers who want peace.
- Busiest
- Alinda
- Fishing village
- Pandeli
- Best sunrise
- Vromolithos
- Quietest sand
- Gourna
Alinda & Krithoni
Alinda Beach is the largest tourist beach on Leros, in the resort of Alinda 3 km north-west of Agia Marina. It has soft sand and clear water, and the resort behind it offers watersports, restaurants, bars, mini-markets and car rentals. A few hundred metres away lies the small cove of Panagies, and a little further the beach of Lisgaria with its eucalyptus trees and a couple of tavernas and bars. On the way to Alinda is the quiet bay of Krithoni, a beautiful spot with eucalyptus and tamarisk trees, small white houses and a few luxury villas.
Pandeli & Vromolithos
Pandeli Beach lies about 2 km from the capital, in the bay of the same name below Platanos. It has soft sand and some pebbles with tamarisk trees for shade, and the fish tavernas of the traditional fishing village serve fresh fish and drinks along the shore. A short distance away in the same bay is Vromolithos, a sandy beach with small coloured pebbles and oak trees to lie under, which is said to be the best place on Leros to watch the sunrise. Vromolithos also has hotels, apartments, restaurants, mini-markets and bars.
Agia Marina, Koulouki & Merikia
Agia Marina Beach sits in front of the village of the same name, the harbour of the capital, and it is sandy but close to the port. Koulouki is the beach nearest the main harbour of Lakki, a sandy beach that lies very close to the ferries and harbour traffic. To escape that, you can go a few kilometres further to the small sandy beach of Merikia, which is quieter and away from the boats.
Xirokambos
Xirokambos is a beautiful beach of soft golden sand in a bay 7 km south of Agia Marina, in the south-west of Leros. It has trees on the sand for shade and is a popular destination for day-trippers from the nearby island of Kalymnos. Close to the beach stands the small church of Panagia Kavouradena, and above it the remains of the old castle of Paleokastro. Xirokambos also has the island's campsite and a few hotels and apartments.
Gourna & Blefoutis
Gourna, in a bay on the west coast, holds the largest sandy beaches on Leros. It is less developed than the east-coast resorts, which makes it ideal for peace and quiet. The main beach has dark, almost black sand and shallow water that is easy to wade into, and the bay is the best place on the island for sunset photographs, with a landscape that recalls the Cycladic islands of Paros and Naxos. On a small rock about 50 metres out to sea stands the church of Agios Isidoros, a favourite subject for photographers, which you can reach on foot. In the north, the bay of Blefoutis has a good sandy beach with tamarisk trees, clear blue water, gentle waves and a good fish restaurant.
Partheni
The bay of Partheni lies west of Blefoutis on the north side of Leros. Its main beach is a little less attractive than neighbouring Blefoutis, but the water is clean and clear, and smaller beaches nearby have sand or pebbles. Partheni is an authentic Greek fishing village in one of the best-protected bays on the island, sheltered by the small islands opposite. A large harbour has been built here to berth hundreds of yachts, mainly for the winter season.