In this list we recommend 13 of what we consider to be the best places and sights to visit in Lesvos Island. Located in the northern Aegean Sea, Lesvos is the third largest island in Greece. The island of the ancient poetess Sappho, the lyric poet Alcaeus, the prose writer Stratis Myrivilis, the popular painter Theophilos Hatzimihail, the writers Ilias Venezis (who grew up in Mytilene) and Argyris Eftaliotis, and of course the Nobel Prize-winning writer Odysseus Elytis, who made the island of Lesvos famous throughout the world.
An island that has left behind mass and heavy tourism, preserving to this day its values, traditions, tastes and the high quality of local products that you will find all over the island. In Lesvos, you will experience a journey that will touch your heart and fill you with images and colors so intense that you will feel absolute peace.
In Lesvos Island you will walk through the picturesque villages and their beautiful alleys, you will taste one of the most beautiful traditional and delicious cuisines and of course you will accompany it with the most emblematic drink, which is none other than the world famous Ouzo. In this list, we present you 13 of the best things to see and do in Lesvos that we think you should not miss.
Lesvos Island: New Archaeological Museum of Mytilene
Let’s start our list of 15 things to do in Lesvos from the island’s port and capital, Mytilene. One of the many things you can see there is the New Archaeological Museum, which opened in 1999 and there is a permanent exhibition in which you can see in great detail life on the island from the 4th century BC, where the Hellenistic period is, till the end of the Roman period in the 4th century AD.
The most impressive exhibits in the museum are the frescoes and mosaics created for the Roman villas on the hill of Agia Kyriaki. Looking at the quality and the artistic level of the mosaics, one understands that the city of Mytilene had a lot of economic power during the Roman period.
In addition to the mosaics and frescoes in the New Museum of Mytilene, you can also see a number of figurines, vases and ceramics, as well as a marble funerary relief depicting the “Supper of the Dead” from the 4th century BC.
The castle of Mytilene
Continuing our list of things to see and do in Lesvos, we will stay in the town of Mytilene for one more place to visit. At the harbour of the town, just behind it, is the hill on which the castle is located, whose construction began during the Byzantine era and the reign of Emperor Justinian (483 – 565 AD).
The castle or fortress of Mytilene is the third largest castle in the Mediterranean and the largest in Greece with an area of 200 acres. The castle owes its existence to Francis Gatelouzos, the ruler of the island in the 14th century, and to the Ottomans from 1462 until November 1912, when the island of Lesvos became part of the Greek state.
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Although the castle is in ruins, some important elements can still be seen. Such as the Queen’s Tower with the coat of arms of the Gatelouzians, the Byzantine cistern, a Turkish seminary and a hamam.
Vrana Olive-Press Museum
In the list of 13 things to see and do in Lesvos, the Vrana Olive-Press Museum, located in the settlement of Papados, in the bay of Gera, could not be missing.
The Vrana Museum is housed in one of the oldest olive Presses in Lesvos, which belonged to the family of Odysseus Elytis, the Nobel Prize winner for Literature. It is an amazing place that takes you back in time and shows you how the mill worked and how the olive oil was made.
In addition to the presentation of the production of olive oil and soap and everything needed for the proper functioning of an olive press, visitors can see photographs of the period and the permanent exhibition of artworks inspired by the old olive press.
Museum of Natural History – Sigri Petrified Forest
For those who don’t know, Lesvos has its own Museum of Natural History since 1994, located on the western side of the island, in Sigri. The museum is a window into the geological history of the Aegean Sea over the last 20 million years. In one of the rarest monuments of our geological heritage in the world.
Skala Eresou
Perhaps one of the most famous places on the island, Skala Eresos is one of the places that is seeing growth in the tourist part of the island. For this reason you will see many tourists of all ages from Greece and abroad.
In this link you will find a lot of options for your stay in Skala Eresos.
Here you will find good food, several bars and of course the huge three kilometer long beach with its crystal clear waters.
You are bound to spend the whole day there, because apart from swimming, the programme includes great cocktails at one of the most famous and well-established bars in the area, called Parasol. If you manage to make it out of there, you’ll be treated to a quality meze or meal and a chilled ouzo afterwards.
Bay of Gera
The most famous of the island’s two bays is Kalloni. The bay of Gera is the smaller, but in my opinion the most beautiful and picturesque. With the olive trees that reach the sea, the stone houses and the old factories and crafts that used to exist in the area of Perama, they form a picture from another era.
We would not say that it is a tourist destination like Molyvos or Skala of Eressos, but I think that this is the reason why it keeps its authenticity, the quite quality food and the beautiful beaches and bays that you look for every summer.
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And what it doesn’t have. Picturesque mountain villages like Mesagros, Skopelos, Kato Tritos and many more. It has Perama, the port, where in every alley you can see its own history, with the remains of old factories and crafts, and even the largest tannery in the Balkans, that of Voulagas, which operated from 1833 for 157 years.
You can read also about “Chios Island: Sights, beaches and places not to miss” by clicking this link.
In the Gulf of Gera, apart from the quietness it offers and the places you have to visit, it is certain that wherever you go for dinner, you will taste very good quality cuisine with fresh seafood and not only, but also very good wines and, of course, ouzo, which is the trademark of our island.
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Agiassos
Another place to visit is the village of Agiasos. A place we have in our hearts and every time we go to Lesvos there’s no way we don’t visit it.
In this link you will find accommodation for your stay in colorful Agiasos.
A place full of colors and art. Go in the morning and walk up the alleys leading to the church of Panagia and sit in one of the cafes around it. Have a Greek coffee on a hovoli and a spoonful of sweets made by little hands and enjoy life as this special place generously offers it to you.
Molyvos – Mithymna
One of the most beautiful villages of Lesvos and Greece, Molyvos or also known as Mithimna, is located at a distance of about 60 km from the city of Mytilene. From the first moment the village appears in front of you, you are filled with beautiful images and feelings. It is a well-preserved settlement that starts from the castle of Molyvos and ends at the sea.
Book your stay in picturesque Molyvos from this link
Walking through its beautiful streets, you will be enchanted by the stone houses, the picturesque alleys and the endless views from the castle. A place that will enchant you and make you want to return again and again.
Molyvos Castle
The second largest castle on the island, Molyvos Castle, is located on the top of the hill and is worth a visit to admire the beautiful view of the Aegean Sea and the view of Mithymna from above, which seems to embrace it. It was originally built by the Gatelouzous in the 14th century and later the Ottomans made additions and repairs.
Church of Petra
Very close to Molyvos is another settlement worth visiting. Petra is also one of the most popular settlements with visitors and every summer, especially on the eve of Panagia, it is full of people. One of the landmarks of Petra is the church of Panagia Glikofilousa, which stands on an imposing rock (Petra, from which the village takes its name). To reach the temple, you have to climb 114 steps, where you will be rewarded with a unique view.
Book your stay in Petra, lesvos from this link.
Eftalou hot springs in Lesvos Island
Apart from the beautiful villages, the castles, the monasteries, the wonderful and quality food that you can find in Lesvos, the island has several hot springs. One of them is well worth a visit. Just beyond Molyvos, about 4.5 kilometres away, are the facilities that house the Eftalou Hot Springs.
From this link you can find and book your stay in Eftalou, lesvos
The water temperature reaches 45 to 46 degrees Celsius. The spring from which the water gushes out is chloronatrious and is considered ideal for the following therapeutic indications, such as Rheumatism, sciatica, back pain, neuralgia and gynaecological problems.
The procedure is simple and as follows Stay in the warm waters of the spring for a maximum of 5 minutes and then immediately leave the premises for a dip in the icy waters of the coast. Do this 3 or 4 times and you will be a different person. Total relaxation of the whole body. So if you find yourself in the north of the island, don’t forget to visit the Eftalou thermal baths.
Skala Sikamias
At a distance of 12 km from Molyvos there is another beautiful settlement that you should definitely visit. Skala Sikamias or Sikamineas is the northernmost settlement of Lesvos, an idyllic and quiet place and the home of the great Greek writer Stratis Myrivilis.
If you are looking for accommodation in Skala Sikamia or in Sikamia find find in this link what suits you.
A fishing village of 153 inhabitants, with a small harbour full of fishing boats and the chapel next to it, with the Virgin Mary and the Mermaid watching over them, form a picture that the more you look at it, the more you are drawn into it.
A little further from the harbour, Myrivilis’ mulberry tree has stood for 130 years, and it is said that many of his novels were inspired there.
Apart from Skala, you can also visit Sikamia, one of the 5 best preserved settlements on the island, and stroll through its beautiful alleys. A village where time passes differently, more slowly, giving you the opportunity to enjoy your walks and the whole village in general.
Plomari Lesvos.
Plomari is one of the most famous villages of Lesvos and is well known to almost all of us. And there is a reason for that. Which is none other than its famous ouzo. An alcoholic spirit whose home is the island of Lesvos and more specifically Plomari. Of course, Plomari is not just ouzo. It is a very beautiful place with very nice beaches, several traditional taverns that will offer you, besides the delicious ouzo, many good and quality dishes.
Find accommodation in Plomari for your stay in in this link
Before you arrive in Plomari, you can also visit the Ouzo Museum. The Varvagianni Ouzo Museum awaits you, ready to tell you the 150-year history of ouzo production. You will see some of the first tools used for bottling ouzo and the first cauldron made in 1858, and you will have the opportunity to participate in ouzo tastings held there.
Then take a stroll through the picturesque streets of Plomari and relax under a plane tree in one of the traditional cafes and taverns of the area. Plomari also has beautiful beaches with fantastic crystal clear waters. A little cold, but so perfect you won’t want to leave it for a minute.
Some of the beaches worth visiting are Agios Isidoros which is located at the entrance of Plomari and is organized. It has showers, toilets and changing rooms. Another beach is Ammoudeli which is closer to the center and is one of the choices of the locals. Apart from the crystal clear waters and the wide beach, there are also very nice tavernas where you can eat. Another very nice option is the picturesque beach of Melinda, which is located a few minutes outside of Plomari and is therefore quieter.
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