Talking about Lefkes, one can easily characterize it as the most beautiful mountain village of the island. It is 11 kilometers from Parikia and at an altitude of 250 meters, with an unobstructed view of the Aegean Sea. The village is accessible by road, however the means of transportation stop at its entrance. The moment you step your foot onto the marble-paved street, the village seems to be asking you to explore it. You can see the amphitheatrical structure with uneven passages, whitewashed slabs and lush vegetation, and it is evident that tourism has not eroded its charming tradition. Looking back in the past, the mountainous location of the village is not random; it was built by refugees and locals, who were seeking a haven during periods of pirate attacks. They named the village Yris, but later it took its modern name from the local, white apparel and the poplars (Lefkes) that surround it.
The 800 remaining permanent residents make up the image of hospitable people, who work passionately.
Lefkes is adorned by numerous scattered small churches, temples and monuments like the marble artifact of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity), as well as the picturesque pottery workshop that honors, as does the rest of the area, popular art. Discover the cruciform shape of the village, and do not hesitate to go up and down the stairs that lead to the market with the few simple shops, some of which, however, have special quality. Notice the ornate neoclassical mansions, taste the traditional delicacies as if you were in your grandmother’s house, walk on the central square of Lefkes, and drink a cup of coffee looking out at the sunset, but don’t leave before the night, when the climate becomes serene and sweetly melancholic. If you are lucky, you may encounter an atmospheric concert in some amphitheater during the warm months.