Lesvos map Greece - Detailed map of Lesvos island - Lesvos travel information
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Lesvos or Lesbos lies among the Aegean islands in the north east, close to the Turkish mainland. Greek Islands in this part of the world are a long way from the mainland and, in general, a long way from each other. Lesvos has the advantage of having its own airport and so avoids the long ferry journeys that most of the others entail. Big and beautiful, Lesvos, It is the third largest Greek island after Crete and Evia and, in parts at least, has its arms stretched wide to embrace the package tourist market.
As yet though, olive oil and ouzo are still the more important commodities in the local economy. The islanders also have a strong and proud identity of their own that is marked by its long cultural traditions. For the visitor, the attractions may not be as many nor the landscape as lovely as some of the other Greek islands. But Lesvos is quietly impressive especially to those looking to experience the delights of more provincial Greek life where villages and resorts can have remarkably different and individual characters. Specific attractions are sightseeing, quaint villages and some splendid beaches.

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MYTILINI is Lesvos island capital and a big, messy and noisy port of some 30,000 people (a third of the island's total population). It has its grim side, especially in industrial areas dominated by tall, belching chimneys of the olive oil refineries. The waterfront, though noisy and crowded, is very pleasant with a double harbour separated by a 6th century castle-topped headland. The southern harbour takes all the tourist ferry traffic while the northern one has suffered neglect, though there are recent signs of a cleanup.
The city's main attractions remain its castle and a wealth of good museums. The castle, founded in the 6th century and rebuilt by the Genoese in the late 14th, has buildings from all periods as well as the remains of a Roman cistern and some Turkish prison cells. Entrance charges are moderate for a glimpse of some fine Roman sculptures and mosaics plus a nice display of jewellery. Popular concerts are held here in the summer and attractive picnic tables perch in the pines below.
MOLIVOS or MOLYVOS is the main holiday destination on Lesvos island and a spectacularly beautiful one. Solid grey stone houses are topped with red tiled roofs and many old timbered buildings have been meticulously restored. The market in the centre is shaded by lovely wisteria though full of tourist trinket shops. Steep, cobbled and traffic-free streets lead up to an imposing Genoese fortress that is romantically illuminated at night. Down from the market is a narrow, cobbled main street, again overhung with vines and flowers and stuffed with craft shops, artists galleries and souvenir sellers. Tavernas along here have superb views over the sea so expect to pay more for a meal.
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PLOMARI is the only settlement in the south of any size. A charming if slightly dilapidated town, it is the second largest on the island and home to around 10,000 inhabitants many of whom work in the many Ouzo distilleries. Despite the lack of beaches it has no shortage of visitors in the summer to enjoy the luxuriant surroundings, the charm of a lively port and some of the best ouzo in Greece, including the excellent Barbayiannis label. Many houses have timbered, overhanging galleries and there are several Turkish fountains and Ottoman-style architecture. There are a number of good tavernas around the palm fringed harbour and a small stony beach in the Amoudhelli suburbs to the west but it is meagre and unattractive. Lesvos is the third largest island of Greece and has a long history that goes back more than 3.000 years. It has been the birthplace of famous people, such as the poets Sappho and Alcaeos, Arion the Guitarist, and Pittacus, one of the seven wise men of ancient Greece. A tradition that even continues today and gives the island that distinctive atmosphere which makes it so different from the rest
Lesvos, as it can be seen from its classical history, its abundance of poets, musicians, philosophers and lawgivers, was one of the great cultural centers of the Greek world. It was second perhaps only to Athens in its influence if not in its power. As a place for a holiday, for a rest or for quiet work, Lesvos is HARD to BETTER. It is big enough to permit that change of scene so necessary if one is to avoid "island claustrophobia". It has a further advantage that it is easy from here to organize a trip to visit Troy or to explore the coastline of ancient Ionia.
There are many beaches on the island of Lesvos, of all shapes and sizes. Some are busy with activity and watersports, from jet-skis to windsurfing, while others are deserted, even in the summer. This is just a small sampling. There are many more. If your computer or connection is slow this page may take a couple minutes to load. The best beach in Lesvos, if not all of Greece is Skala Eressos . If you have kids this is the place to be especially around sunset. The town beach at Molyvos is not bad as town beaches go. The sea is usually calm and it is sandy and shallow. The view of the castle is great from the water. There are free showers and changing rooms.

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