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Island hopping in the Dodecanese - Kos, Leros, Lipsi and Patmos
Overview
Introduction
Bask in Aegean sunshine as you hop through the Dodecanese islands of Kos, Leros, Lipsi and Patmos. Start in vibrant Kos, where ancient ruins whisper tales of Asclepius, beaches beckon and streets thrum with life. Your next stop is Leros, with a bustling little port and uncrowded beaches dotted around its twisting shores. The island has the same long history as its neighbours but is also known for the WW2 Battle of Leros - the war museum is fascinating. From Leros it is just a 20 minute hop to Lipsi, a tranquil haven where turquoise waters lap at pastel shores and time slows. Conclude your journey in mystical Patmos, where the imposing Monastery of Saint John looms and hidden coves offer serenity. This island combination promises history, sun-drenched relaxation, and a taste of authentic Greek island charm. Our island-hopping itineraries are mere suggestions and our trips tailored to suit your wishes and dreams. There are no rigid rules.
Itinerary includes:
- Return flights to Kos Airport
- 1 Night on Kos - Bed and Breakfast
- 3 Nights on Leros - Bed and Breakfast
- 3 Nights on Lipsi - Room Only
- 3 Nights on Patmos - Bed and Breakfast
- Transfers and ferry tickets throughout
- Single room supplement on request
Agenda
Day 1 - Arrival on Kos
For the purposes of this itinerary, Kos is a stepping stone to the remoter Dodecanese islands. However, it is the third largest island in the Dodecanese and justifiably popular with visitors. Kos has managed to balance the need to cater for tourists' interests without losing its essential identity as an island steeped in history and blessed with an idyllic natural beauty.
Overnight at the Kosta Palace Hotel, Kos. Bed & Breakfast
Kos
Day 2 - Transfer to Leros
Transfer by ferry to Leros (90 minutes), an untouristic, very friendly and genuine island
Overnight at the Leros Nefeli Hotel. Bed & Breakfast
Leros Nefeli Hotel
Day 3 & 4 - Explore Leros
Gentle Leros has a heavily indented coastline, with many sheltered coves and bays. Even in the height of summer, you can still often find a small beach to yourself; a little spot of paradise. Inland, there are a surprising number of traditional villages, as well as Crusader castles and Byzantine chapels to discover.
Overnight at the Leros Nefeli Hotel. Bed & Breakfast
Leros
Day 5 - Transfer to Lipsi
Twenty minutes across the water is Lipsi, your base for the next three days. At 16 sq kms, unspoiled Lipsi has a sleepy atmosphere, limited tourist numbers and fine beaches making it ideal 'away from it all' territory.
Overnight at the Aphroditi Hotel, Lipsi. Room Only
Aphroditi Hotel, Lipsi
Day 6 & 7 - Explore Lipsi
Lipsi's gentle rolling landscape is dotted with blue-domed chapels and quiet bays, where sun beds are not permitted. Take a relaxing stroll and enjoy the fresh air and wonderful views over the many satellite islands lining the coast. Lipsi's little port is the only village on the island. Most tavernas are, of course, on the quayside, from where steps lead up to the old part of the village. There is a good sandy town beach, and others can be reached on foot or by minibus.
Overnight at the Aphroditi Hotel, Lipsi. Room Only
Lipsi
Day 8 - Transfer to Patmos
Transfer to Patmos (90 minutes by ferry) the most northerly island of the Dodecanese and one of the smallest, measuring a little over 20 square miles.
Overnight at the Asteri Hotel, Patmos. Bed & Breakfast
Asteri Hotel, Patmos
Day 9 & 10 - Explore Patmos
Patmos' fame belies its size. This is where St John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation, and the island hence receives many visitors, most of whom stay for only a few hours before returning to their cruise boat. That leaves the rest of this starkly beautiful island to those who, like us, prefer to fall under Patmos' spell in their own time. The attractive port of Skala is where you will stay. It is a bustling, quite sophisticated little place, with elegant arcaded cafes, fine tavernas and some smart shops hidden in the narrow backstreets. A good bus service runs to beaches and villages around the island, allowing for easy exploration. For walkers, climb the hill from Skala to the Monastery of St John, with the white houses of Hora clustered below its imposing fortifications. It is one of the magnificent sights of Greece! Founded in the 11th century, the monastery contains treasures second only to Athos.
Overnight at the Asteri Hotel, Patmos. Bed & Breakfast
Patmos
Day 11 - Day of departure
Transfer from Patmos to Kos for your return flight to the UK.
Accommodation
Kosta Palace Hotel - Night 1 to 1
Kos, along with Rhodes, is a hub island for the Dodecanese group and a ‘jumping off’ point for the smaller islands nearby with ferries running from here to Kalymnos, Leros, Lipsi and Patmos (amongst others). However Kos is a large historic island and worthy of a few days exploration in its own right. The Kosta Palace could not be better located or more suitable, whether for a few days before heading to the smaller islands or for an overnight stay.
Kos, along with Rhodes, is a hub island for the Dodecanese group and a ‘jumping off’ point for the smaller islands nearby with ferries running from here to Kalymnos, Leros, Lipsi and Patmos (amongst others). However Kos is a large historic island and worthy of a few days exploration in its own right. The Kosta Palace could not be better located or more suitable, whether for a few days before heading to the smaller islands or for an overnight stay.
The location is perfect, on the harbour front with panoramic views from the harbour view rooms or the rooftop swimming pool towards the harbour and across to the Venetian fort. You can stroll into the old town, visit tavernas and restaurants or just sit on the harbour front, either at the hotel’s own terrace or at the cafes surrounding the port. Needless to say it is perfectly located for easy access to the ferries and a 15 minute walk to the nearest beach.
This four star, modern hotel, freshly decorated in contemporary colours offers a variety or room types from standard, superior, harbour view and one bedroom apartments to suit all tastes and family groups.
Facilities
- American and Greek buffet breakfast using fresh produce from local farmers, local recipes, on site bakery and fruits in season.
- Spacious lounge
- Rooftop swimming pool (seasonal)
- Rooftop Bar with drinks and snacks (seasonal)
- Lobby Bar
- Harbour view terrace
- Spa Gazebo (seasonal)
Leros Nefeli Hotel - Night 2 to 4
Designed in harmony with local architecture, the Leros Nefeli Hotel enjoys a quiet location in the little village of Krithoni, 60 metres from the long sand/shingle beach.
Designed in harmony with the local architecture, the Leros Nefeli Hotel enjoys a quiet location in the little village of Krithoni, 60 metres from the long sand/shingle beach.
There are 24 units here, contained within two-storey blocks split between studios and apartments. All are spacious inside, with studios comprising built-in twin beds, open-plan kitchen area (electric rings, fridge) with a built-in sofa bed for a child, and shower room. The 1-bedroom apartments are open-plan and have an additional living/kitchen area with two built-in sofa-beds for children. The pair of 2-bedroom apartments (one ground floor, one first floor) have a separate living room with full kitchen. The Executive Suite on the first floor comprises a bedroom, spacious living room with a small kitchen and a balcony with fine sea views.
All units possess air-conditioning, TV and balcony or garden terrace with some on the top floor offering sea views.
There are beautiful gardens of palm trees and bougainvillea where breakfast is served and there is bar service during the day. Tavernas can be found within a 10-15 minute stroll, or a wider choice within the picturesque port of Ayia Marina 15 minutes walk away.
Please note breakfast is included in the price for stays during period 1st June to 30th September. Outside this period breakfast is not provided and the price is reduced accordingly - all rooms have kitchen facilities and local cafes offer breakfast.
Aphroditi Hotel - Night 5 to 7
The Aphroditi possesses the perfect location, standing at the edge of Lipsi village just behind sandy Lientou beach (20m) and 300m to the harbour.
The Aphroditi possesses the perfect location, standing at the edge of Lipsi village just behind sandy Lientou beach (20m) and 300m to the harbour.
Its 28 studios and apartments are housed in three 2-storey buildings - one to the front and two behind up a number of steps - and are spacious and nicely furnished in an attractive traditional style. All possess twin beds (usually pushed together), kitchenette with hotplates and a small fridge, air conditioning, TV, shower room and balcony or terrace with sea views (some over/through trees and flowering shrubs). Studios are open plan, apartments comprise a bedroom and living room.
Although equipped for light self catering, breakfast is available at a local charge at the hotel's cafe on the ground floor, where free wifi is also available.
You could not be better placed to enjoy the crystalline waters which surround this tranquil island. A five minute walk over the headland brings you to the main part of the village and the harbour, which has an array of tavernas, cafes and small shops, as well as being the departure point for boat trips to other bays and offshore islets.
Asteri Hotel - Night 8 to 10
The very charming Asteri Hotel is quietly situated in pretty gardens overlooking the sea a 12-minute walk (850m) from the harbour and the bustle of Skala. Long established and family run, this is a traditional small Greek hotel where you will receive a very warm welcome. Many hotel guests have been coming here for years.
The very charming Asteri Hotel is quietly situated in pretty gardens overlooking the sea a 12-minute walk (850m) from the harbour and the bustle of Skala. Long established and family run, this is a traditional small Greek hotel where you will receive a very warm welcome. Many hotel guests have been coming here for years.
The 37 clean comfortable rooms are ground or first floor and simply furnished in an older style. They possess twin or double beds (triples are available) and all have AC, WiFi, TV, a shower room, hairdryer and balcony or terrace with garden views (some have sea views on request).
There is a ground floor lounge, bar and breakfast area, which can be taken on the terrace. The lawned garden below is lush, with palms, shrubs and flowers - sun beds are available here.
The small pebble cove of Kato Merikas is just a minute’s walk away, and you will find three taverna restaurants a 4-to-7-minute walk (300m - 500m) in the direction of the port, which has a very wide choice of its own.
The brothers who run the hotel, Yiannis and Stefanos, cannot do enough for their guests and are a mine of information about the island.