Tourism has never been large-scale in Leros. Its economy was based on prisons and asylums and the Junita’s dissidents were housed here. More recently, bad publicity resulted in reorganization and Leros has emerged from its ‘institutional’ image. Lying just north of Kalymnos, it is a friendly, prosperous, off-the-track island, its rolling hills interspersed by fertile valleys and coastline indented by huge, almost landlocked bays. Photo by: Marite2007

The Italians had established an important naval base there in 1923 and in 1935 built Lakki as a showpiece of Fascist Art Deco. Its scale is too grand for its current inhabitants – towering palm trees, over -wide boulevards lined with monumental grey mansions. Many of these structures have become worse, but a fast restoration is under way. The town has a really ghostly feel. Photo by: Marite2007

Leros is small island and its principal low-key resort are within walking distance of each other. North of Lakki, the lively working port of Pandelli and adjacent Vromolithos with its sand and gravel beach form a pleasant whole. Platanos, the island’s beautiful capital, is crowned by a dramatic Knights’ castle, and merges with Ayia Marina, an attractive port village on a fine bay. Around the coastline are ever green shaded beaches and villages. Photo by: Leros Marina

When to go: May, June, early July and September. Population: 8,207. Getting there: Domestic flights. Charter flight to Kos and ferry connection. Inter-island ferries. Photo by: Leros Marina

Photo by: Leros Marina