We love Leros for its beautiful beaches, peaceful atmosphere and amazing local gastronomy - it is also not too touristy which is rare for a Greek island nowadays. It was occupied by the Italians in the early 20th century and it's architecture and food blends the best of both cultures.

We hope that around the wedding you get to enjoy some more of the island - below are some of our favourite beaches for sunbathing and swimming and restaurants around the island.

Seafood in Leros is wonderful. Grilled octopus is always a must, and you can also enjoy freshly prepared sea urchins or authentic taramosalata. Don’t skip out on the local cheeses, like mizithra and tsitsiri, or sweet treats such as Leros’ famous Patsavouropita with Kaimaki ice-cream and soumada, a classic almond-based drink.

Here are a few spots we love:

Sotos Ouzeri (Drymonas)

Dan's favourite. Sotos, is a lovely taverna located in a quiet area of Leros and has some of the best fish and seafood on the island.

Zorbas Tavern (Panteli Beach)

Zorbas is the island’s oldest taverna, sitting right on Panteli beach. We love grabbing a table near the water, ordering grilled calamari and Greek salads, and just taking in the view of the castle and windmills.

Artemis Taverna (Blefoutis)

For traditional Greek mezze in a typical taverna head to Artemis after a dip in Blefoutis beach.

Mylos Restaurant (Agia Marina)

This is one of the nicest restaurant on the island, more upscale, their dishes are a perfect mix of Greek and Italian cuisine. The seafood risotto is especially memorable!

Dimitris o Karaflas (Panteli)

Another famous restaurant on the island. Come for the breath-taking views and stay for the amazing mezze. We recommend booking in advance and coming before the sunset when it is less busy and you get to take in the views.

Leros has some beautiful beaches, each with its own charm. Here are some we love:

Organised beaches, where you can find umbrellas and sunbeds as well as refreshments are Vromolithos Beach which is a pebbly beach located near the village of Panteli, Alinda Beach which is also a pebbly beach close to many shops, coffee shops and restaurants, Dyo Liskaria which is a sandy beach ideal for a beach party! There is also Blefouti Beach which is a sandy beach in a more secluded part of the island with a lovely taverna nearby.

If it is very windy, head to Ksirokampos Beach which is a pebbly beach in a more protected area of the island where you can also find shade and two tavernas nearby.

For wild beaches on Leros head to Agia Kioura or Kokkina Beach which are both sandy beaches. They are unorganised so make sure to bring water and a snack.

Lastly, there is Archangelos beach located on a tiny island just off Leros, so getting there means renting a small boat from nearby beaches or the harbour. This is also a wild beach so there is little shade but there is a small restaurant where you can have a break from the sun and get some food and drinks.

The Castle

Perched high above Panteli Bay, the Castle of Leros offers breathtaking panoramic views of the island and sea. Built on ancient foundations and shaped by the Byzantines and later by the Knights of Saint John, the castle gets its local name from the Virgin Mary (Panagia), whose miraculous icon and the chapel that stands at its heart is where we will be getting married!

The Bellenis Tower

In Alinda, visit the beautiful Bellenis Tower. This two-story gem blends medieval and neoclassical styles, now home to the island’s Historical and Folklore Museum. Step inside for a glimpse into Leros’ traditions, from intricate embroidery and handcrafted furniture to artifacts from WWII and a captivating photo archive.

The Museums:

While we are really here for the sun, sea and sand, for the more historically inclined, Leros has some small museums.

Deposito Di Guerra (War Material Museum):

Located in Vromolithos, this small museum brings to life the island’s dramatic role in WWII, particularly the Battle of Leros (1943).

War Museum at Lakki:

Walk through history in this unique underground museum, set in actual WWII-era Italian tunnels.

Archaeological Museum (Agia Marina):

Discover prehistoric finds, ancient ceramics, and charming local history housed in a picturesque neoclassical building.

Ecclesiastical Museum (Panteli Castle):

Located within the Castle, this museum showcases beautiful Byzantine icons, holy items, and archaeological artifacts, giving you yet another reason to climb the hill.