Lidario beach is on the west side of Agios Efstratios.

Here you will enjoy sun sea and sand, free of crowds. Just take care to to bring your own equipment, as here too your sole companion will be nature.

Ftelio beach is on the west side of Agios Efstratios.

It has lovely golden sand and in its blue waters you will enjoy a lovely, relaxing swim. Like any other beach in Agios Efstratios, the landscape of Ftelio has striking pristine beauty. You will be so enchanted that you will not miss the typical organized beaches.

Limani beach is right in the village of Agios Efstratios.

This is the only beach that has a relative organization, being next to the only inhabited part of the island. Enjoy a lovely swim in the azure waters of Limani beach and then head off to the cafes and taverns of the area.

Agios Efstratios can be reached by ship from the port of Lavrio. There is also a ferry connection to Lemnos island.

Evidence and archaeological findings indicate that Agios Efstratios has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Many identify it as the mythical island where, according to Homer,Philoctetes, the hero of the Trojan War, remained wounded and exiled .

During the Byzantine times, the island was a dependency of the Monastery of Great Lavra on Mount Athos. It then acquired its present name, thanks to Hosios Efstratios the Miraculous, who lived as a hermit on the island, exiled from the Byzantine iconoclasts. What follows is the period of Ottoman rule until October 18, 1912, when a Greek contingent disembarked on the island, setting it free without a fight, as the population was purely Greek.

From 1929 on, Agios Efstratios (or Ai Stratis) begun to function as a place of exile for "lefties" by decree of the Venizelos government. The phenomenon culminated during the years of Metaxas dictatorship and, while there was a break between 1941 to 1947, the camp of Ai Stratis reopened to welcome political prisoner .from spring 1947 amid the Civil War.

Among the prisoners were also several intellectuals, such as Yiannis Ritsos and Menelaos Lountemis. If you crave for more information, just visit the excellent Museum of Democracy!

The camp of Ai Stratis was closed in 1964, but unfortunately this was a decade that reserved an unpleasant surprise to the island's residents. On February 20, 1968 an earthquake razed the settlement, 20 lives were lost in the ruins, and only a few houses were left standing. The government decided to make a new settlement in an adjacent position, and most of the old houses were demolished.

This earthquake actually gave the final blow to the island, as many residents left it permanently. Today, nearly 300 residents live in Agios Efstratios and they do welcome with a smile every visitor who wants to spend a few days on their island.

Agios Efstratios is in the northeastern part of the Aegean Sea.

It is a relatively small island, not more than 50 square kilometers. The nearest island to Agios Efstratios is Lemnos, located 18 nautical miles to the north. In the southeast of the island at a distance of 42 nautical miles is Lesvos, while in the southwest is Skyros at a distance of 38 nautical miles. Generally, Agios Efstratios is considered to be a quiet isolated island, thus being an ideal place of exile.

Indeed, some claim that its name owes to Hosios Efstratios the miraculous, who lived in exile on the island in the 9thth century, because he opposed to the iconoclastic policy of the Byzantine emperor Leo the Armenian. The island's character as an exile-place, continued until contemporary history. In the first half of the 20th century this was one of the islands that the Greek governments displaced communists.

Agios Efstratios is also a volcanic island with hills and steep cliffs. The highest point of the island is the "lemoni rahi" at 298 meters. All the inhabitants of the island, not exceeding 300, are concentrated in a settlement built in the late 70s, when a devastating earthquake destroyed the precedent that was in a different position. The residents' main occupation is farming and fishing, as the island is considered to be an excellent fishing spot.

Agios Efstratios is a very special place and the people who choose it for their holidays stay impressed by its simplicity and authenticity.

Traditional panigiria- feasts full of dancing, singing, food and drink are organized in Halki, just like any other place in Greece. August 29 is a special day in Halki, both for its residents and visitors, as the biggest panigiri-feast takes place in the Monastery of Agios Ioannis. There, locals and visitors become one and have fun until the morning.

The castle of the Knights together with the other castles in the area, was built by the Knights of St. John(Agios Ioannis) when Halki, Rhodes and the surrounding islands were under their control. The knights chose the castle's location, where the acropolis of the island used to be in ancient times.

Today the castle blends with the impressive landscape, perched on the rock. Of the remaining buildings you can now see the semi-collapsed walls and the ruins of the church of Agios Nikolaos. Right next to the gate notice the built-in coat of arms of the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitallers, Pierre d 'Aubusson. It is a must to climb up to the castle of the Knights as, besides its archaeological value, it has a spectacular view that will take your breath away.

Halki may not pride itself on sports and nightlife, but the island's tranquility and natural beauty allow you to enjoy the simple things to the fullest extent.

Swimming in azure waters, spending the day at wonderful beaches... Diving in pristine bottoms with secrets yet to be revealed... Spear fishing for those who want to catch their own delicious seafood.... Hiking or climbing through the amazingly pristine nature of the island, breathing the fresh air as you climb the steep cliffs...

There is something unique and special in each activity in Halki.

Giali beach is on the south side of Halki, almost in the middle of the island.

In order to reach Giali beach, you have to pass through the abandoned village and continue on the road that will take you to the sea. Here lies a very quiet small beach with pebbles, clear water and absolutely nothing else. This means that you should come prepared, bringing with you whatever you might need to enjoy your day at the beach.