Leros

Platanos is the historic capital of Leros. Narrow streets, traditional houses, small cafés and attractive squares give it a distinctly Greek island atmosphere, while many elegant neoclassical mansions reflect the island's prosperous past. Above the town stands the imposing Castle of the Knights of St John, one of the island's most important landmarks. The climb is well worthwhile for its panoramic views and impressive medieval fortifications.

The island's main harbour and commercial centre, with a waterfront lined with cafés, tavernas and local shops. Fishing boats and visiting yachts create a lively atmosphere. Many of the surrounding buildings date from the Italian period. Although Agia Marina and neighbouring Platanos have grown together, each retains its own character. Agia Marina is also home to the Archaeological Museum and serves as a convenient base for exploring the rest of the island.

The Archaeological Museum of Leros displays finds from the island's long history, from prehistoric and classical times through to the Hellenistic period. Highlights include ancient pottery, inscriptions, sculptures and everyday artefacts discovered at archaeological sites across Leros.

The War Museum tells the story of Leros during World War II, when the island became the scene of one of the Mediterranean's fiercest battles. Exhibits include military equipment, photographs, uniforms and wartime memorabilia, while the underground setting provides a vivid impression of the island's strategic importance during the Battle of Leros.

Leros' most impressive historic monument and one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the Dodecanese. Built on the site of an ancient acropolis, it was extensively fortified by the Knights Hospitaller during the 14th century. The castle offers spectacular panoramic views.

Lakki is one of Greece's most distinctive towns, renowned for its remarkable collection of Italian Rationalist architecture dating from the 1930s, when the Dodecanese were under Italian rule. Wide boulevards, elegant public buildings and a spacious natural harbour give the town a very different character from the island's older villages. Today, Lakki is the island's main ferry port.

The Church of Panagia Kavouradena is one of Leros' most unusual and picturesque religious sites. Hidden among the rocks, the tiny chapel is built directly into the cliff above the sea, its distinctive red roof making it stand out from the surrounding landscape. According to local tradition, a fisherman who was bitten by a crab discovered a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary at this spot. After praying before the icon, his wound was healed, and when he later tried to take it away, a dream instructed him to return it to its original location. A chapel was subsequently built over the site, and the icon remains an important object of devotion

Palaiokastro occupies the site of the ancient acropolis of Leros and is one of the island's oldest fortifications. Built during the Hellenistic period and later reused as a Byzantine refuge, the hilltop preserves sections of ancient defensive walls, the remains of an Early Christian basilica and panoramic views over the bays of Xirokambos and Lakki. Nearby is the picturesque Church of Panagia Kavouradaina, built into the coastal rocks below.