LESVOS DESTINATIONS

Agiassos is 26 kilometers from Mytilini town on the pine and olive covered slopes of Mount Olympos. The amount of geenery here is stunning. There are plentiful platanos, apple, chestnut, pear and cherry trees as well as varieties of other trees and shrubs. The town itself is a completely traditional village of narrow stone streets and picturesque lanes. Many of the houses have projecting upper floors known assachnisia with wooden balconies decorated with flower pots of begonias, carnations, geraniums and other ornamental plants. The industrious women of Agiassos still spin and weave.

For many years the town was known for its pottery and this tradition is carried on today. There is also a high level of wood-carving. The craftsmen make beautiful carved wooden icons and furniture. Panagia Church, AgiassosAgiassos is the known throughout Greece for the church to the Virgin Mary, the Panagia ti Vrefokratousa in the center of town.

It is second only to the island of Tinos for pilgrims who used to walk the old stone road from Mytilini to pay tribute to the miracle working icon, brought here from Jerusulem by the imperial priest Agathon the Ephesian in the year 803. In 1701 Agiassos, because of a miracle by the Blessed Virgin who cured the Turkish administrator of an illness was absolved by Sultans decree of having to pay taxes to the Ottoman government and many people moved there until it was recinded in 1783. Pilgrims still come throughout the year but especially on the eve of the feast day of the Panagia (August 15th).

Vatera stretches along a vast and enchanting sandy beach in the southern part of Lesvos. In the harbor of Agios Fokas one can find small fishing boats. A worthwhile wetland and intersection of migratory birds is the point where Almiropotamos river flows, at the western end of Vatera beach. Vatera has 172 inhabitants. It is 50 km southwest of Mytilene.

A picturesque and beautiful village built in a verdant location with an idyllic view to the sea. It is 46 km from Mytilene and is located on the northwest side of the island. The village of Sykamineas or Sykamia is the birthplace of the famous writer Stratis Myrivilis. At a distance of 3 km from the village is Skala Sykamia, with the beautiful beach and the picturesque fishing harbor of the island. Here, the small church of Panagia Gorgona is built on a rock, from which Stratis Myrivilis inspired his homonymous novel.

Sigri is the largest natural port of Lesvos, as protected by Nisiopi islet in front of it. It is a village with stone houses and picturesque streets. Visit the castle, which was built in 1757 and is characterized by the Arab arch which is above the gate and has red and white stones. Around the village you will find beautiful sandy beaches, first and foremost Panagia Faneromeni. Sigri is an ideal place for relaxed family holiday close to nature and the sea.

Beyond Antissa the landscape becomes lunar, with bare mountains and strange rock formations. Not much here besides goats, sheep and the world’s largest petrified forest. The road forks and one leads to Sigri while the other leads to Eressos and Skala Eressos which brings in most of the tourist revenue for this part of Lesvos. You drive through the harsh landscape between mountains until you come to a huge green valley with a village at the top, Eressos. At the end of a long, narrow, straight road is Skala Eressos, a beach town with great restaurants, cafes, shops, boutiques, bars, yoga, massage, Gestalt therapy, and many things you would not expect to find in a remote Greek island village.

One of the most beautiful locations in Greece is Molyvos (the ancient Mithymna) at the northern part of Lesvos. The Molivos Castle, built on the top of the village, by the Gatelouzon dynasty is in very good condition, one of the best preserved in Greece. Walk through the stone roads of the village and enjoy an evening coffee watching the amazing sunset. It has a small harbor mainly with fishing boats and tourist yachts.

On the south coast of the island is the picturesque Plomari, known for its production of ouzo, traditional dishes and its hospitable residents. Browse through the cobbled streets and enjoy an ouzo in the shade of the old plane trees in the old quarter of the village with houses that have remained unchanged over time. At a short distance from Plomari you will find the beach of Ag. Isidoros, one of the cleanest beaches in Greece, Melinda beach with the spectacular rock as well as Panagia the hidden. In the mountains of Plomari you will find Megalochori, the old Plomari, as well as other small villages built on the slopes of Mount Olympus between lofty rocks and pines.