Agios Efstratios
Discover Agios Efstratios
The small island is off the beaten track, with some beautiful beaches and authentic Greek village life. It is a destination for individual travellers who want a quiet holiday away from the crowds. The small, sparsely populated island (43 km², about 300 inhabitants), which is 1.5 hours (30 km) by ferry boat from Lemnos and 80 km from Lesbos, is untouched by progress and mass tourism. The few inhabitants live in the only settlement on the island, also called Ag. Efstratios. The island sits pretty much exactly on the 25th meridian east of Greenwich.
What to Experience in Agios Efstratios
Taste of Agios Efstratios...
There are only 2 taverns: the Taverna Artemonas (also mini market) and Taverna Veranta. There is no night life on the island only few café-bars or Kafeneios at the harbour are the places to sit at the evening. Check airbnb, but at the end of May 2022 no listings were to be found. WiFi is available at the local cafe. If your number is from another EUC country it should work here too without any roaming costs. For non-EU phones you can buy a Greek prepaid card for internet, e.g. from Cosmote, at the town where you enter the ferry to Ag. Efstratios.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsDuring high season in summer there are almost daily ferries from Lemnos or Lesbos. In low season and especially in winter with high seas it can take more than a week until the next ferry comes and people do get stuck on the island. If you're on Limnos and want to get to Agios Efstratios, there is a small ferry which you won't find listed online. The boat departs from the new port in Myrina and you pay aboard. There is a ferry on Monday at 14:30 departure. The trip takes roughly two hours. Enquire about other departures. Tickets are €8. (May 2022) Agios Efstratios doesn't have an airport. The nearest airports are Kavala or Lemnos airport and you can reach the island by boat from there. By sailing boat: most approaches to the island are without dangers and straight forward. The only port is Agios Efstratos village but there are several nice bays to anchor. There is no taxi or bus on the island. As it is small, you can either go on foot, by bicycle or bring a rental motorbike from Lemnos....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
There is no taxi or bus on the island. As it is small, you can either go on foot, by bicycle or bring a rental motorbike from Lemnos. To bring a car isn't really worth the costs. Most roads are dirt roads and need either a 4WD or, at least, a car with high ground clearance. Visit the ruins of the old village, and the view point of "Nikos Sialmas" Monument at the very south of the island There are two main things to do on the island, first relax at the harbour at one of the cafeterias with a cold drink or second relax at one of the many beautiful beaches, especially at the west and south side, e.g. Ag. Antonios, Ag. Dimitrios, Alonitsi, Avlaki, Frangou, Gournia, Lemonies, Lidario,,Tripiti, Trigari. If you can hire a boat it's worth to go around the island and discover its inaccessible beaches often hidden behind cliffs. At most beaches nudism is possible. Worth buying are the local agricultural products, like feta cheese, dried cheese, honey and goat and sheep meat.
Where to Stay
Check airbnb, but at the end of May 2022 no listings were to be found. WiFi is available at the local cafe. If your number is from another EUC country it should work here too without any roaming costs. For non-EU phones you can buy a Greek prepaid card for internet, e.g. from Cosmote, at the town where you enter the ferry to Ag. Efstratios.
Money & Budget
Worth buying are the local agricultural products, like feta cheese, dried cheese, honey and goat and sheep meat. There are only 2 taverns: the Taverna Artemonas (also mini market) and Taverna Veranta. There is no night life on the island only few café-bars or Kafeneios at the harbour are the places to sit at the evening. Check airbnb, but at the end of May 2022 no listings were to be found. WiFi is available at the local cafe. If your number is from another EUC country it should work here too without any roaming costs. For non-EU phones you can buy a Greek prepaid card for internet, e.g. from Cosmote, at the town where you enter the ferry to Ag. Efstratios.