Lesvos

Lesvos or Lesbos, is the third largest island in Greece and is located in the northeastern part of the Aegean Sea, separated from Turkey by the Mytilini Strait. Due to this close proximity, you can see Turkish influences in the local culture. For instance, Turkish coffee is popular here.

Lesvos packs diverse elements of culture, history and nature that form this aesthetically charming island. The houses here are oddly structured and painted in vibrant colours, which makes Lesvos stand out from other Aegean islands which typically have an Aegean architecture. Surprisingly, this incongruity is what makes the villages perfect for clicking pictures.

The Island of Ouzo

Ouzo might be a new term for you, but once you enter Lesvos (or Greece for that matter), you will be no stranger to this alcoholic drink. It is considered as Greece’s most popular drink and with 17 ouzo distilleries, the island of Lesvos is the largest producer of Ouzo in the world. The town of Plomari is its ouzo capital and locals consider consuming ouzo as an art or rather, a way of life.

Mytilini

The lively town of Mytilini (Mytilene) is the main port and capital of Lesvos and is spread over seven hills. This scenic town is dotted with historic churches, museums, forts and monuments. Probably the first thing you will notice when you reach the town, is the massive structure of the church of St Therapon, which stands apart from the cluster of smaller buildings. The next eye-catching structure would be the Castle of Mytilene which sits perched atop the hills, overlooking the entire town. 

Explore this bustling town by navigating its maze of streets where you will stumble upon neoclassical mansions, museums and Turkish mosques. Among the many marketplaces of Mytilene, be sure to check out Ermou street, the most popular shopping spot.

Molyvos

This aesthetic town sits pretty amidst a background of olive and pine trees, undulating hills and serene beaches. The 14th-century Molyvos Castle, watches over the town and is a must-visit. You will be required to make a steep trek to the top, but you will feel compelled and excited to, because the sweeping views from the top will give you a glimpse of Turkey in the distance. A few kilometers from Molyvos, Eftalou beach is popular for its natural hot springs, known for their therapeutic properties. The Molyvos region also includes monasteries from the Byzantine period which are worth visiting.

Petrified forest of Lesvos

This is the second largest petrified forest in the world and is located on the western part of the island. It  was caused due to a volcanic eruption almost 20 million years ago, thus ‘pertifying’ the forest, which now stands frozen in time. To learn more about this interesting landscape, you can visit this national monument and its museum.

Kalloni wetlands

The Kalloni wetlands are ranked among the most popular bird watching places in Europe. It shelters hundreds of bird species including several rare and migrant species. Pink flamingo, black and white stork, gray heron, several species of pelicans and plovers, gulls, owls and eagles are common.

Why should you visit Lesvos?

With its picturesque traditional villages, sandy beaches, ancient castles, stunning bird species and an amazing local cuisine, Lesvos has all the right elements to make an exceptional vacation.