Agios Efstratios Island

Agios Efstratios Island: Located between the islands of Lemnos and Lesvos, Agios Efstratios offers visitors a magical experience through the simplicity predominant on this small island. There are approximately 300 permanent residents on Agios Efstratios, most of them depending for their livelihood on fishing, cattle-raising and cheese - production and less on agriculture.

A large section of Agios Efstratios land belongs to Mount Athos monasteries, such as the Monastery of Megisti Lavra, the Monastery of Dionysios and the Monastery of Karakallou who rent it out to the locals. In the past, from the 16th century through the early 60s, the islands economy was heavily depended on the harvesting of acorns; however, there has been a recent rise in tourism.

The islands beautiful and clean beaches attract visitors, along with the abundance of fresh fish and the exquisite local cheese. Since there are no motorways on the island, most of the beaches are accessed by boat from Agios Antonios, Tragari, Lidario, Gournia, Panagia and Kalami. There are several taverns and coffee-bars on the island, while accommodation is provided at small guesthouses and rooms to let. Frequent ferry schedules link the island with Lemnos, Kavala, Lesvos, Agios Konstantinos, Kymi - Evia  and the mainland port of Rafina.

Well preserved houses with grapevines and fruit-bearing trees around them mark the area of the only settlement and port of the Agios Efstratios island, while the picturesque bays, the chapels and the caves are its unique highlights.

The small volcanic island of Agios Efstratios, also known as Ai Stratis, lies 16 nautical miles south of Lemnos. The island owes its name to St. Efstratios, a monk who lived and died on the island in the 9th century. For many years it was used as a place of exile. Apart from its harbour, the island has just one village Agios Efstratios on its NE side. The monastery in the settlement has manuscripts in relatively good condition dating from as far back as the 15th century.

With picturesque bays, marvellous clean beaches - easily reached by boat or on foot - chapels and caves, Agios Efstratios attracts visitors wanting a quiet stay far from the hustle and bustle of developed tourist areas.