Lipsi Greece | tourist holiday travel guide to Lipsos

   

Lipsi is one of the smaller islands at the northern end of the Dodecanese chain of Greek islands that runs up the coast of Turkey. It lies between the larger island of Kalymnos and Samos and benefits from being on the main ferry routes and so relatively easy to get to. Visitors should forget all the outdated nonsense written about 'donkey-powered' Lipsi. You are more likely to be dodging scooters than donkeys since the island's roads were widened and asphalted to encourage more tourism. The huge harbour has also undergone a major revamp to accommodate the yacht flotillas that now make Lipsi a must-make stop on the sailing route.
Lipsi still has the oodles of charm and the backwater atmosphere that you came expect from a tiny Greek island. But it's a far cry from the days when the island was one of the hideaway gems of the Aegean. Lipsi is very small - you can walk virtually anywhere in a day - and now crossed with a network of paths and roads, courtesy of massive and some say entirely unwarranted EU grants. Lipsi is an island for those seeking a quite retreat where excitement peaks at the arrival of a ferry. The beaches are pleasant rather than outstanding and most have no facilities. Tavernas and cafes are concentrated around the vast main harbour which again, though pleasant, is not as picturesque as you might expect.

Overview

Lipsi Lipsi is a tiny island, little more than the main port and a scattering of beaches now more easily reached since the old tracks were upgraded to asphalt roads.
Lipsi Peace and quiet are the island's main characteristics, though a fleet of mopeds for hire and the appearance of cars, a taxi and some lorries suggest it will soon be getting a lot noisier.
Lipsi The yachting set has prompted a rash of tavernas around the enormous harbour and it's been a long-time favourite with the now defunct British-based Laskarina tour company that once commandeered quite a number of apartments.
Lipsi Lipsi's position on the main Dodecanese ferry route and its large natural harbour, not to mention the proximity of Samos, Leros , Kalymnos and Kos, make it an ideal base for island hopping.

 

 

Dodecanese map

   
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lipsi town   Lipsi town Click photos to enlarge
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  Laid back LIPSI is just the place to laze away a holiday. The main port is vast with acres of concrete stretched around a very large lagoon yet the place hadn't lost its charm despite some plain architecture. This is mainly down to plenty of white paint, some lively splashes of colour and shady tavernas dotted along the quay. Villagers keep the place spick and span and colourful boats are always moored up, their nets spread to dry on the quayside. It's a favourite port of call for the yachting set so it's not always quiet but the crowds are occasional and easily avoided. Near the central square is a mini market that sells just about everything you could want and up the steps across the children's playground is an excellent bakery selling delicious snacks as well as the usual range of bread and biscuits. Decent walking maps and good advice can be had at the nearby Laskarina tour office. The blue domed church of Agios Ioannis dominates on the hill and its worth climbing the steps just for the views.. Charming, peaceful and unhurried, for an archetypal Greek resort Lipsi is pretty hard to beat.
Lipsi

lipsi
     
liendou lipsi   Liendou Click photo to enlarge
    LIENDOU is the town beach and found at the western end of the harbour by turning right just before the ferry jetty and walking over the brow of the hill. Set in a narrow bay it's a beach of coarse sand and pebble that shelves gently into the sea with some trees behind for shade. It is usually quiet but tends to get crowded with children when school closes in the afternoon. The sea bed is stony but the water shallow so its safe for children. There are no facilities on the beach itself but tavernas in the harbour are only a short distance away. Liendou
Liendou
     



    West of Lipsi Town
kambos lipsi   Kambos Click photo to enlarge
    The road leads on from Liendou but before it climbs inland up the hill there's a small track off to the left that leads down to KAMBOS beach. There are a few patches of sand on the narrow shingle shoreline but its mainly sharp and unpleasant stuff. There is also some shade from a row of tamarisks against a low stone wall but you need to crouch for shade and clear away the litter first. The water is clear, good for snorkelling but stony underfoot. If goats are grazing in the fields behind you will probably end up maddened by the endless clonking bells. kambos
Kambos
     
helena lipsi   Elena Click photo to enlarge
       
    Along the coast from Kambos is a chapel and beyond that the stone and rock beach of HELENA or ELENA. The track peters out before you get to the beach and its a tricky scramble over the rocky hillside to get to it. It mostly a case of following goat tracks through the rocks and scrub. The beach itself is nothing more than rocks spilling into the sea and shade is hard to come by so it will really only suit the hardy and adventurous. elena
Elena
     
kimisi lipsi   Kimisi Click photo to enlarge
    It's a long walk (2 hours) to the tiny but pretty bay of shingle and rock at KIMISI, once the home of an octogenarian hermit and a sacred place for the islanders. There is also a pretty 16th century chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary - Kimissi tis Theotokos - which is open to visitors.
How to get there: There are two routes, one along an ugly bulldozed road past the island rubbish dump and a narrow track from the island ridge road marked with red spots. The latter leads past the chapel of St Stavros and the Church of the Five Martyrs to the bulldozed road mentioned earlier then down into KIMISI bay along a narrow concrete staircase. A red arrow on the route leads to UPPER KIMISI bay of rock and pebbles. The route, though marked, is a difficult one.
Kimissi
Kimisi

road
Road to Kimisi
     
Platys Gialos Lipsi   Platis Yialos Click photo to enlarge
    The beach at PLATIS YIALOS or PLATYS GIALOS boasts the best sand on the island though there is precious little of it. A narrow strip of scruffy runs along the end of a deep long bay and, south facing and, with no shade, it can get blisteringly hot. There's is a shady taverna behind which fortunately hasn't yet capitalised on its exclusivity and offers good food at reasonable prices. The bay is long, shallow and sandy underfoot making it ideal for families and children.
To get there: Take the road past Liendou beach then up over the brow to the ridge road and turn left. Stunning views over the sea to Arki on your right are matched by views of island quarries and a smouldering rubbish tip to your left. The beach is plainly seen ahead of you at the end of the bay. If you don't fancy a walk back the taverna owner will summon a taxi.
platys yialos
Platis Gialos

platis yialos
   
Moschatou Lipsi   Moschatou
    The bulldozed road from Platis Yialos leads to the pretty inlet at MOSCHATOU after 30-40mins walking. There is no beach as such, just an inlet of rock and stone with the tiny chapel of St Theologus adding colour. It used to be good for swimming until someone built a fish farm in the bay.
     



    East of Lipsi Town
Kamaris Lipsi   Kamaris
    It's a dramatic setting with sheer drops into the sea but not much else in this rocky cove backed by fir trees in the remote north east of the island. It's a tricky route to KAMARIS too.
To get there: Take the road past the high school to the T-junction then right to the main ridge road. Cross the ridge road, pass the rubbish tip and turn right at the shed. Pass a quarry and a chapel then fork left along the path keeping Asponissi (White Island) in front of you. The track turns into a goat trail before dropping down to a stony beach. (45mins)
     
Monodendri Lipsi   Monodendri  
    The name MONODENDRI means single tree and that's all there is here - one lonesome pine growing out of the flat sloping rocks on the end of a pebble spit. It is tiny and there is no shade. The water here however is crystal clear and ideal for snorkelling. There are several coves nearby but all are small and it can feel crowded even when there are only a few people there.
To get there: Follow the harbour north past the sash machine then left up the hill past the moped hire shop. At the top of the steep hill go straight across at the crossroads then right after the rubbish tip through several gates, past a small house and olive grove then down a goat track to the sea. A taxi will take you to the start of the track. (50mins)
Monodendri
Monodendri
     
Tourkomnima Lipsi   Tourkomnima  
    The beach at TOURKOMNIMA lies north of the headland, back to back with Kserokambos and is usually deserted. The main beach is north facing and mainly stone with patches of sand. There is decent snorkelling on both sides of the bay and some trees for shade.
To get there: Head for Kohklakoura but turn left at the fork and follow the path around the headland past Kserokambos. (45mins)
Tourkomnima
Tourkomnimia
   
Kserokambos Lipsi   Kserokambos
    South east facing with islands offshore KSEROKAMBOS has more sand than its neighbour Tourmomnima but not much. There are smaller coves further south along the shore and some splendid snorkeling to be had around the offshore rocks.
To get there: Follow directions to Kohklakoura and turn left at the fork in the track then over the headland. (40mins)
     
Kohklakoura Lipsi   Kohklakoura  
    There is a fine wide beach of white pebbles at KOHKLAKOURA but it suffers from the lack of shade. Beware it can get very hot here on the sizzling stones.
To get there: Take the road east from the harbour past the moped hire shop and turn right at the school, pas the priest's house with the blue neon light to the crossroads. Carry straight on down the hill, past the chapel until the asphalt gives out then take the right fork and follow the track downhill to the beach. (30mins)
kohklakoura
Kohklakoura
     
Katsadia Lipsi   Katsadia  
    KATSADIA bay is a very popular anchorage for yachts and a couple of tavernas have sprung up to serve the yachting set. It is a beautiful wide bay with a very narrow shingle and sand beach. There are a few coves to the south also worth exploring, particularly at PAPANDRIA.
To get there: Take the road to Lohklahoura but turn right at the crossroads and follow the headland with views of Lipsi harbour below. Take the left fork to KATSADIA and the right fork for PAPANDRIA. (30mins).
Katsadia
Katsadia
     



   

LIPSI HIGHLIGHTS

    The magnificent white Church of Saint John Theologos in Lipsi, with its blue dome and two bell-towers, is worth a visit. The Ecclesiastical Museum opposite the bakery contains an eclectic mix of oddments and paraphernalia that will raise a smile from most visitors. Much of the land on Lipsi was once owned by the Monastery of St John the Baptist, on Patmos and, as a result, the island is dotted with small chapels - all worth a look at if you find them open. Otherwise its the peaceful walks and tranquil views that are the most memorable features.
     



   

LIPSI LOWLIGHTS

    There's not a fat lot to do or see in Lipsi - some say it adds to the charm but you might get pretty bored here after a few days and unless you are looking for just that then it may be as well to pay a day visit or perhaps stop overnight. I had no trouble finding a room in early June. None of the beaches is anything special and some, like Helena, are more an achievement than a pleasure.
   



Map Lipsi  

LIPSI MAP

Lipsi is a small island with a population of just 700 with fishing, a little farming and tourism the main occupations. The large sheltered harbour provides anchorage not just for local fishermen but for visiting yacht flotillas too. It's not a mountainous island - just 16sq km and 35km of coastline - and, with no beach more than a two hour walk from the port. Millions of euros have been spent in recent years on improving the island infrastructure.

  Lipsi map
   



lipsi top  

LIPSI WEATHER

   
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TEMP (C)
7 6 8 11 14 18 22 22 18 14 11 8 Avg Min
13 13 16 19 24 29 32 32 28 23 18 15 Avg Max
     

In July and August temperatures can soar up to 40°C in the shade and many beaches have little shade. September to October and April to late June brings warm, comfortable weather, either side of the cooler winter period.

 
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC RAIN (mm)
150 104 86 33 15 2 0 0 22 27 111 162 Avg
15 13 11 8 5 1 0 0 1 7 10 15 Days
     
Lipsi weather
Lipsi weather forecast (Samos)
 
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC SUN (hrs)
5 6 7 8 9 11 12 12 10 8 5 4 Avg
   



lipsi info  

LIPSI FACTS

    Size: 21sqkm
Population: 650
Getting there: Regular ferries and hydrofoils call in en route north from Kos and south from Samos.
Getting about: The island so small it is walkable in a day. There is car and bike hire since roads were recently paved with EU grant aid. A taxi now operates from the main square. Boats can be hired for visiting remote beaches.
Telephone +30 (22470)
Tourist Police: 41222
Port Police: 41133
Medical Centre: 41204
Post Office: 41249

Cash machine in Lipsi Town
       
       
    The beautiful Greek Islands are renowned for their spectacular scenery, magnificent mountainous backdrops, stunning sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.
Holidays to the Greek Islands are often most cherished for this combination of sunshine, warm waters and beaches set against truly wonderful scenery.
Whether it is a traditional beach holiday you would like or something with a little more history, you'll find that a break away to the Greek Islands is just the answer!
greek island
     
    Floating
    Lipsi ferry The island is on the main route from the mainland to the Dodecanese so is well served by ferries and hydrofoils. The usual route from the UK is to fly to Samos and pick up one of the main ferries or hydrofoils heading south or you can fly to Kos and head north. The hydrofoils and boats anchor off the west end of the long, long harbour that winds around the bay
Lipsi boat There are daily ferries to Patmos and Leros as well as excursions to neighbouring islets like Calapodia Aspronissi, Macronissi, Frago, Plavi and Arki.
     
    Driving
    lipsi drive Minivan buses leave from a small park in the centre of the harbour for the main beaches and there is taxi and a couple of scooter hire outfits.
     
    Rooms
    Lipsi rooms Even on tiny Lipsi you are met at the quay by islanders offering rooms for rent. Recommended are the Galini apartments opposite the hydrofoil jetty (41212) and Rena's rooms (41363) overlooking Liendou beach. Tour reps in the office by the bakery are extremely helpful in fixing up accommodation, providing island maps and with advice for travellers.
   



 

LIPSI PHOTO GALLERIES

   
   



lipsi  photos  

LIPSI SITES

    A personal pick of websites on Lipsi
 
     
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A tourist holiday travel guide to the Greek island of Lipsi