Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The
airport
( 22470 22777)
is near Partheni in the north. There is no airport bus. A taxi
from the airport to Alinda will cost €10.
The hub for Leros' buses is Platanos. There are three buses daily to Partheni via
Alinda and four buses to Xirokambos via Lakki (€4 flat fare). Flag these green-and-
beige-striped buses down and they usually stop for you.
Car-, motorcycle- and bicycle-hire outlets are mainly on the Alinda tourist strip.
Moto-
land
( 22470 24584; scooter per day €10)
offers bikes and scooters. Phone for a
taxi
(
22470 22550/23070/23340)
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Platanos & Agia MarinaΠλάτανος & Αγια Μαρίνα
POP 3500
Whitewashed Platanos is peaceful with a few places to drink and eat decent food. Above
it rises the imposing
kastro
on the hill. To the north the village spills down into the effer-
vescent, photogenic port of Agia Marina (ay-
i
-a ma-
ri
-na). With its bakeries, chic water-
front cafes and jewellery boutiques, plus some attractive ochre- and wine-coloured Itali-
anate buildings, it's a lovely place to while a few hours away. The nearest accommoda-
tion can be found in Pandeli, Krithoni and Alinda. If you're arriving by ferry this is prob-
ably your first glimpse of the island.
Sights
Perched on the hill overlooking the harbour,
Pandeli Castle
( 22470 23211; admission
castle €2, castle & museum €3; 8am-12.30pm & 4-8pm)
is worth visiting for its breathtak-
ing 360-degree views from the ramparts. Running south from the castle is a picturesque
string of recently renovated
windmills
. To reach the castle, you can drive from Platanos
or walk east of the main square and follow the arrows to the staircase.
The
Archaeological Museum
( 8am-2.30pm Tue-Sun May-Sep)
is in a 19th-
century building and has artefacts collected on and around Leros. You'll pass it on the
edge of Agia Marina, en route up the hill to Platanos.
Eating
Smoked mackerel and thyme honey are specialities of Leros.
