Lipsi is a small Greek island forming part of the Dodecanese, located east of Patmos and north of Leros. It gives its name to a minor archipelago of which it is the biggest (16 square kilometres) and only inhabited island.
It is still a little visited island but exceptional from a naturalistic point of view. Indeed, much of the landscape is unspoiled and the visitor can encounter farmers riding atop their mules. Outside the island’s only town, throughout the hills, there are numerous small blue and white chapels, built by the islanders as ex-votos.
It is still a little visited island but exceptional from a naturalistic point of view. Indeed, much of the landscape is unspoiled and the visitor can encounter farmers riding atop their mules. Outside the island’s only town, throughout the hills, there are numerous small blue and white chapels, built by the islanders as ex-votos.
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Beyond the many bays, fishermen in their boats catch the fish that will be served in the pretty seaside restaurants.
Most cafes and ouzo bars serving seafood appetizers are also found along the shore, while most of the islanders’ living quarters are huddled together atop of the hill.
With the island being so small, it is easy to walk to the many beaches and bays. The entire coastline is an ongoing chain of bays and inlets, and it is a pleasure to venture inland onto the various footpaths, immersed in the scent of thyme and oregano. The easiest beaches to reach are by no means the least attractive! The lovely Kampos Beach is just in front of Nefeli, shaded by a thick row of tamarisks. A bit farther away is the magnificent sandy Platis Yialos Beach and the Katsadia Bay, both having seaside restaurants and reachable with the town bus, which stops just in front of the hotel. Kohlakoura, Xirokambos and Turkomnima Beaches are all beautiful and located on the island’s east coast. A dirt road leads to the wilder Monodendri and Kamares Beaches, which can be reached by moped. A walk to the Hermit’s House, on Kimissi Beach, and up to the 15th century monastery, is not to be missed. |
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The islets can be reached daily by boat.
The caique “Margarita”, for example, leaves the fishermen’s harbor in the morning and sails around the island, stopping at various rocks, such as Makrosinni and Aspronissi. Later, the boat reaches Marathi and Arki, where lunch can be had in the shade of tamarisk trees at family-run taverns.
A tour of the nearby island Patmos, where St. John the Evangelist wrote the Apocalypse, is also a must. There, visitors can reach the Chora, located atop the hill overlooking the Scala port. The formidable St. John’s Monastery, built in 1088, and it its museum, can be visited. The other Dodecanese islands can be reached daily from Lipsi; buses to the main beaches leave every half hour and two taxi-cabs are available. Visitors can rent bicycles and motor-bikes, or of course arrive on the island with their own car. |
Nefeli Hotels - Apartments and studios | Phone +30 22470 24.611, 710-711 | Fax +30 22470 24.001 | info@nefelihotels.com