Lipsi Island Leipsoi, Greece
Frequently Asked Questions
By tender. Small ships anchor in the bay and the tenders drop passengers on the village quay among the fishing caiques. There is only one village on the island, and everything starts there.
No, almost nothing here requires a vehicle. The village, the church of Agios Ioannis and the nearest beaches are all a few minutes' walk away. Roads are few and cars fewer still.
The village first, climbing the steps to the blue-domed church for the view over the harbour, then a swim at Lientou or Katsadia and a meal by the water. Lipsi asks for no itinerary, and that is the point.
Lientou first, minutes from the quay, a curve of sand with shallow water where local families gather. Then Kampos, shaded and quiet, Platys Gialos to the northeast with turquoise shallows, Katsadia to the south with its taverna on the sand, and Monodendri with its white pebbles.
Honestly, no major monument. The island has two appealing churches, Agios Ioannis and Panagia Harou which locals regard as their guardian, a family winery and mule paths. The luxury of Lipsi lies precisely in what you don't do there.
Yes, especially with young children: Lientou has shallow water, distances are short and there is virtually no traffic. Bring a hat, sunscreen and sandals that can handle pebbles, since shade is scarce.
Yes, and it is worth the effort. A simple mask is enough to find octopus, sea urchins and shoals of salema; these are among the liveliest seabeds in the southern Aegean.
The euro and Greek. Shops keep island hours with an afternoon break, while the taverns serve continuously. Bring cash: not every small place takes cards and the mobile signal can falter.
The island wine, made by a family cellar just outside the village, with octopus stewed in red wine, stuffed aubergines or local cheese drizzled with honey. Everything is caught or picked within a few kilometres of the plate.
