Ferry from Leros to Symi

Leros Guide

The Greek island of Leros is one of the Dodecanese islands that are located in the Aegean Sea, and is around 200 km from the port of Piraeus. Leros is close to the neighbouring islands of Patmos, Lipsi, Kalymnos, Agia Kyriaki and Farmakos. The small island, measuring around 74 sq. km, has a population of just under 8,000 residents, which doubles during the summer in order to cater for visiting tourists. The beaches of Partheni and Blefouti in the north of the island are popular with tourists, as are the beaches of Gourna, Kokali and Ayia Isidoros on the west side of the island and the large bay of Alinda in the central eastern part of the island. The bay of Alinda is also home to Pangias and Crithoni beaches. The picturesque port of Agia Marina lies to the south east of the bay of Alinda, which is around a 10 minute walk to Platanos, the heart of the island.

The journey time from Piraeus to the island by ferry is around 11 hours. Leros also has also daily connections by conventional ferry and hydrofoil to most of the Greek islands of Dodecanese like Patmos, Lipsi, Samos, Kos, Rhodes, Symi and Nisyros. There are also weekly connection to some of the islands of the Cyclades like Syros and Amorgos.

Symi Guide

The Greek island of Symi is one of the Southern Dodecanese and is located to the north of the island of Rhodes and is close to the coast of south west Turkey. The island is around 13 km in length, north to south, and about 8 km east to west and has a total land area of around 70 sq. km. The four main areas on the island are Yialos, which is where the island's main harbour is located, Chorio is the top town, Pedi Bay is the valley that is located below Chorio and Nimborios is the bay and settlement that lies to the north of Yialos. Also on the island is the small village of Marathounda and the Monastery at Panormitis.

There are a number of popular sites across the island and includes a number of old churches and monasteries with one worth visiting being the Church of Constantinos and Eleni on the southern slopes of the Vigla which has lovely gardens and terraces. Also on the island, and built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century, is the Monastery of the Archangel Michael at Roukouniotis which was built on the site of a 5th century monastery, which itself was built on the site of a pre-Christian temple.