An island in Greece with a population of just under 800 people is a hidden gem with visitors praising it for its picturesque scenery and unspoilt natural beauty.
Leispoi, also known as Lipsi or Leipso, is nestled between the islands of Patmos and Leros. It forms part of the Dodecanese groups of islands and is a lesser-known holiday destination than the popular Kos or Rhodes.
The island has been recommended for those who enjoy relaxing in a place of “pristine nature” by the Greek tourist board, due to its town’s traditional nature and its location away from crowds.
Getting to Leipsoi
The most common route of getting to Leipsoi is to fly into one of Greece’s major airports such as Athens or Kos. You can then hop on a domestic flight to Leros Island, which is the nearest airport to Leipsoi, or take a ferry from Athens’ main port, Piraeus. While this takes longer, you will have an opportunity to take in the views and other islands such as Kos, Rhodes and Ikaria are also connected to the island via ferry.
Things to do in Leipsoi
While Leipsoi is small, there are plenty of sites to see from the Agios Ioannis Theologos church with its stunning blue dome to the Ecclesiastical and Folklore Museum next door. If you want to venture further afield, you can head to Panagia tou Charou, a monastery based 1.5km off Chora which dates back to the early 17th Century, or Kastro, a nearby ruins of an ancient town.
The island has a mix of pebble and sandy beaches but all have beautiful, clear waters. Sandy beaches include Katsadia, a secluded cove, Kampos, one of the island’s longest beaches, and Platis Gialos, which is wind-protected and one of the most popular. For a pebble beach, visitors can head to Papantria, Ksirokampos, or Monodentri.
Due to the small size of the island, most people can explore it on foot. Those who enjoy hiking are in luck as the chain of islands is part of the Natura 2000 protected areas network and Leipsoi boasts hills, plains and ravines to explore.
Food and drink on the island
Leipsoi has several specialty dishes such as rice in fresh squid ink, lamb in lemon sauce, pitaroudia (crispy patties with green vegetables, eggs, tomato, cheese and spices) and favokeftedes (fried split yellow peas patties).
In addition to its fresh seafood and locally raised lamb, the island is known for its goat kid meat and cheese. You can try touloumotyri and myzithra, soft white cheeses, and if you fancy something sweet, you should opt for the thyme honey on kserotigana with cinnamon and walnuts, the tourist board recommends.
The island is perfect for wine-lovers, who can taste the sweet red wine made from the local Fokiano variety. In August, the island hosts a three-day wine festival, celebrating its tradition of producing and exporting the alcohol.