Little-visited Saint Efstratios lies isolated in the Aegean, south of Limnos. Agios Efstratios is a the quietest, dry island with a population of approximately 350 people. The climate there is arid, with little rainfall during the winter months and long, hot summers. Abbreviated by locals as Saint Stratis, it attracts a few curious visitors drawn by the island’s fine, remote beaches and generally escapist feel.

Visitors certainly don’t come for the architecture as  a 1968 earthquake destroyed most of the port village’s classic buildings, a bad situation made worse by Greece’s military junta which hired crooked contractors to manage the reconstruction. Nevertheless, this sparsely populated place has tourism infrastructure, relaxing hill walks and fine beaches.

The landscape is mostly rocky, with scarce and low vegetation. Crops are insignificant, the surrounding sea, however, is rich in fish which are fished by local fishermen. There are numerous beaches on the island such as Saint Antonios, Lemonies, Avlakia, Alonitsi and many others, most of which are reached by caïque. On the north coast , Alonitsi , a 1500 meter stretch of sand with rolling breakers and views across to Limnos while on the south side of the island there are many grey sand beaches, many of them with wells and drinkable water, accessible  via roundabout tracks. The most popular on the island are Saint Dimitrios and Lydario.

Opposite Alonitsi beach there is at 200 meters a lonely barren island, Velia, where you can go even swimming.
Beyond the village there are no paved road,  this hilly landscape, dotted with a surprising number of oak trees, is deserted apart from rabbits, sheep, an occasional shepherd and the beaches which stand there.

The total area of Saint Efstratios is about of 43.325 square kilometers and the geographic coordinates of the island are 39°31’00.0″N 25°00’00.0″E in the Aegean sea.