As most of the Cyclades try to deal with the fallout of excessive tourism, one island long shrouded in obscurity and stigmatized by its association with political exiles and a psychiatric hospital is proving a revelation to those visiting for the first time. With an architectural gem of a town like Porto Lago, a wealth of impressive neoclassical buildings, World War II monuments scattered across the island, outstanding cuisine and people with gumption, Leros is captivating.
The island went from prosperity thanks to merchants who made their fortunes in Egypt to decline, and is now enjoying a new renaissance without the pressure of over-tourism. Indeed, many foreign tourists have fallen passionately in love with Leros and bought homes there in recent years, while growing numbers of Greeks are also being drawn to its charms. What is especially interesting, however, is how the locals have thrown themselves into developing cultural and sports facilities that bring life to the island in winter and offer residents creative outlets, such as the Leros Theater Group, the Artemis Cultural Association and the Film Club. Many people who chose to make the island their permanent home are also contributing in their own way.
