Agios Efstratios
Agios Efstratios is in the North Aegean Islands in Greece.
Understand
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. Although most of the houses were destroyed in 1968 by an earthquake, and new buildings have replaced the earlier structures, it still retains its old Mediterranean charm. The island lives on fishery, agriculture, sheep farming, cheese making, bee keeping and very sparse tourism in summer. The island sits pretty much exactly on the 25th meridian east of Greenwich.
The island had been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC, until the Byzantine period. Because of pirate raids it was abandoned during the 15th century. A new settlement began in the middle of the 16th century at today's harbour bay. Between 1928 and 1963 numerous political prisoners were exiled to the remote island.
The island is of volcanic origin, most of the steep coastal sections are interspersed with cliffs and grottoes. The hills reach a height of 300 m. In the immediate vicinity of Agios Efstratios there are numerous rocky islets, which are liked by fishermen and sailors, of which Daskalio, Velia and Agii Apostoli are the largest.
Agios Efstratios is more than 60% covered with the typical representatives of the Phrygana and Macchia. Only in the northeast is a scattered stock of Valonea oak. The cliffs and grottoes are the habitat of the rare Mediterranean Monk seal. The entire island and the surrounding marine area are designated as a European bird sanctuary because of the many migrating birds that use it as stopover.
Get in
By ferry
During high season in summer there are almost daily ferries from Lemnos or Lesbos. In low season and especially in winter with high sea it can take more than a week until the next ferry comes and people get stuck on the island. Agios Efstratios doesn't have an airport. Next 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 several nice bays to anchor.
Get 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.
See
Visit the Museum of Democracy, the ruins of the old village, and the view point of "Nikos Sialmas" Monument at the very south of the island
Do
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 its worth to go around the island and discover its inaccessible beaches often hidden behind cliffs. At most beaches nudism is possible.
- Boat tours. Excursion boats start from the harbour for a circumnavigation tour including several beaches and sea caves
- Walking or mountain biking. Walking or mountain biking along the island is nice too but shade might be problematic. As the locals say: Only donkeys and tourists walk in the bright sun. along the island is nice too but shade might be problematic. As the locals say: Only donkeys and tourists walk in the bright sun.
Buy
Worth buying are the local agricultural products, like feta cheese, dried cheese, honey and goat and sheep meat.
Eat
There are only 2 taverns: the Taverna Artemonas (also mini market) and Taverna Veranta.
Drink
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.
Sleep
The best way to find rooms or apartments to stay is via airbnb.com as there is no hotel.
Connect
WiFi is available in the cafeterias but better if you are on mobile internet too. 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.