Lesbos

Lesbos, located just a few kilometers off the Turkish coast in the Eastern Aegean, is the third largest island in Greece after Crete and Euboea, with an area of ​​1,630 square kilometers. The island has about 90,000 inhabitants in 2024.

Lesbos was a cultural center in ancient times. It was the island of philosophy and art. The word “lesbian” is derived from the island’s name. Sappho, the most famous poet of ancient Greece, lived here. She wrote poems about same-sex love between women in the 6th century BC.

Today, the island is visited by many lesbians. There are also well-known artists on the island in modern times: The most famous Greek painter of the 20th century, Theophilos, comes from Lesbos. In addition, the famous ancient philosopher Aristotle lived on the island of Lesbos for several years around 344 BC.

In Greece, the island name Mytilini is also used for Lesbos. In German and English, the island is usually called Lesbos, and the capital of the island is called Mytilini. The name Mytelene is also sometimes used for the city.

The island’s most famous product is ouzo. It is said that around 40 percent of all ouzo is produced on Lesbos. A large part is exported. The ouzo from the village of Plomari on the coast in the south of Lesbos is considered by experts to be the best ouzo ever (Ouzo Plomari). However, olive oil is even more important for the island. The oil from the olives from Lesbos is considered to be of very high quality. Tourism is the most important economic sector only in a few regions of the large island. The largest tourist resort is Molivos in the north.

Lesbos made headlines worldwide during the refugee crisis in 2015. More than a thousand refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries arrived on the island of Lesbos every day. As there were not enough ferries available, the refugees piled up on the island. Tourism plummeted as a result. Actually, this was unjustified; according to our information, the refugees were never a problem or even a danger for holidaymakers. In tourist resorts such as Molivos or Petra, hardly anyone noticed the crisis. Even in the capital Mytilini, the refugees dominated the cityscape far less than was exaggerated in the media out of sensationalism. Lesbos is less than 10 kilometers from the Turkish mainland, and it is less than 50 kilometers as the crow flies to Turkey’s third largest city, Izmir (over 4 million inhabitants).

Lesbos is a volcanic island. Two large gulfs, the Gulf of Kalloni and the Gulf of Geras, give the island an unusual shape. The Gulf of Kalloni in particular looks like a lake. Similar to a German bathing lake, there are practically no waves here. However, it is not an inland body of water, as the gulf is connected to the sea by a natural canal several hundred meters wide. The water in the gulf is therefore salt water.

Tourism on Lesbos

Most tourists only visit the capital Mytilini as part of a day trip. The majority of vacationers stay in the large package tourist resorts on Lesbos. The largest vacation resort is Molives in the north. The neighboring town of Molives, Petra, just a few kilometers away, is also very popular with tourists. Both places have good beaches. You can rent parasols and loungers there. Pedal boats, canoes and the like can also be rented. In Petra there is a diving school called Lesbos-Scuba. Lesbian women often travel to Skala Eresou in the southwest. This place has developed into a vacation spot for homosexual women.

Flights to Lesbos

There are only a few direct flights from Germany to Lesbos. We have not yet found any direct flights to Lesbos for the 2025 season. Almost all passengers from abroad change planes, mostly in Athens. From the capital of Greece, you can fly to Lesbos about six times a day during the season. Since two airlines serve the route (Olympic and Aegean), tickets are cheap due to the competition. Even in high season, a flight from Athens to Lesbos sometimes costs less than 50 euros. In addition to Athens, there are direct flights from Lesbos to the following destinations: Thessaloniki, Samos, Chios, Limnos, Heraklion (Crete) and Rhodes. In 2020, the following destinations abroad can be reached directly by plane from Lesbos: Vienna, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, London, Manchester and Birmingham. A striking number of holidaymakers on Lesbos come from England. The airport on Lesbos is about 5 kilometers south of the capital (Mytelene Airport).

Map of Lesbos

Lesbos (less commonly referred to as Lesvos) is a very large island with many inhabitants and roads. The huge bay of Kolpos Kallonis looks almost like a large lake. The capital Mytillini is near the other, slightly smaller, lake-like bay of Kolpos Geras. Turkey is very close to Lesbos on three sides. This is why Lesbos was the destination of many refugees from Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries in 2015. The Tomaronisia Islands (including Barbalias, Aspronisisa, Panagia and Tsukalas) north-east of Lesvos are all uninhabited.

Ferries to Lesbos

About one or two ferries per day run from Lesbos to Piraeus, the port of Athens. The journey takes around 10 hours. About the same number of ferries run to island Chios. You can only get to Thessaloniki by ferry once a week. However, around three ships per week run to Kavala, a city on the mainland in the north of Greece. In addition, some other islands such as island Limnos can be reached by ferry a few times a week. This information is not entirely up-to-date. Ferry schedules change frequently in Greece.

➔ To book ferries within Greece, we recommend the reputable website Ferryscanner.com

Buses on Lesbos

Although more and more tourists have a rental car, the bus connections on Lesbos are still not bad. Depending on the season, two to six buses per day run on the important routes. On Sundays, the timetable is very limited. In Mytilini, the bus station for the intercity buses is in the western part of the town, not far from the seashore.

However, if you want to see a lot of the island, having your own vehicle or rental car is a great advantage. You can also cycle wonderfully on Lesbos.

Capital Mytilini

The capital and port of the island of Lesbos is Mytilini (about 40,000 inhabitants). The city is relatively large and busy. Although there are many interesting sights in the city, Mytilini is surprisingly untouristy. Almost all holidaymakers prefer to stay in one of the beach resorts and at most come to the capital of Lesbos as part of a day trip by rental car, bus or organized bus day trip.

The most important street is Odos Ermou. It is the most important shopping street in the city and the entire island.

One of the top sights is the large, central castle from the 14th century. It was once one of the most important castles in the Mediterranean. Another sight in Mytilini is the large ancient theater. In pre-Christian Greek times, there was room for an incredible 15,000 spectators here. The Romans also frequently used the theater of Lesbos. Unfortunately, it is only partially preserved and has not been completely renovated.

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There are several good museums in Mytilene. There are two archaeological museums. The old archaeological museum focuses on the Bronze Age, while the new archaeological museum focuses on the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

By KureCewlik81 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

In the Byzantine Museum you can mainly see icons. It is the most important icon museum in this part of Greece. In the local history museum (folklore museum) of Lesbos you can see old clothing, traditional costumes, household goods such as pottery and weapons, among other things. All of the museums mentioned are within easy walking distance from the center of Mytilene or are right in the city center.

Molyvos (Mithymna)

Although the town of Molivos got its old name Mithymna decades ago, the town name Molivos is still the common name of the town. Molivos is the largest tourist resort on the island of Lesbos. It is not just the beach that makes Molivos so interesting.

The top attraction is the most beautiful old town on the island. Almost every tourist gets lost in the many narrow streets. The longer beach of Mithymna is about a kilometer south of the harbor. This is also where many of the hotels, taverns and cafes for tourists are located. In the high season, about 4-5 buses a day go to the capital Mytilini, a few more to the neighboring holiday resort of Petra. Molivos is the only camping site on the island of Lesbos. The North Aegean island is not exactly the camping island of Greece.

Petra

Just a few kilometers after Molivos you reach the town of Petra on a flat plain. In the middle of the town is a large rock on which a church is built (see picture at the top). This is where the town of Petra got its name. Petra means stone or rock in Greek. You walk up a little more than 100 steps to the church.

From the original author is nl:Gebruiker:Mhwater  – Originally from nl.wikipedia; description page is/was here. (Editing=excerpt), CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Petra is known for the local women’s cooperative. The most visited beach is Avlaki Beach west of the center. It is not particularly long, but beautiful (partly sand, other sections more gravel). If you drive further west by car you will come to other beautiful beaches.

Skala Eresos

Another place on Lesbos that is visited by many foreign vacationers is Skala Eresos (also just written Eresos or Eressos). It is the birthplace of the ancient poet Sappho. She wrote the famous verses about homosexual love between women. The words used in many languages ​​such as “lesbian”, “lesbian”, “lesbian” come from the name of the island of Lesbos.

Today, Skala Eresos is a place that is visited primarily by lesbians from all over the world. In the past, the residents sometimes had a problem with the large number of female, lesbian holidaymakers. This has changed significantly. Every year in September, there is an international women’s festival or women’s meeting in Eressos. The English name of the event is Sappho’s Pride International Women’s Festival.

Other places on Lesbos

A beautiful village is Thermi, just a few kilometers from the capital Mytilini. Ruins of an ancient Roman thermal bath were excavated here.

Another great sight on the island in the North Aegean is the Aqueduct of Moria. The Romans built an almost 30-kilometer-long water pipe from Mount Olympos to the capital Mytilini. Parts of the very elaborate structure have been preserved (see picture). The approximately 1,800-year-old structure is definitely worth a look.

The most important place for tourists in the Gulf of Lesbos is Skala Kallonis. The water is so calm that you think you are at a swimming lake. Although Skala Kallonis is in the middle of the island of Lesbos, you are still on the seashore because of the unusual shape of the island.

Top 10 sights on Lesbos

1. Molivos (Mithymna)

A picturesque village with narrow cobbled streets, traditional houses and an impressive fortress from the Byzantine period. From the castle you have a breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea.

2. Petrified Forest

One of the largest petrified forests in the world, a UNESCO geopark. Created around 20 million years ago by volcanic activity. Particularly exciting for those interested in nature and geology.

3. Thermi thermal springs

Hot springs and wellness oases that have been known for their healing effects since ancient times. The thermal baths at Eftalou are particularly popular.

4. Town of Mytilini

The capital of Lesbos with the imposing castle of Mytilini, museums (e.g. the Archaeological Museum) and a lively harbor promenade.

5. Limonos Monastery

A major religious centre with impressive architecture and a rich historical archive. It is set in a peaceful rural setting.

6. Skala Kallonis

A charming fishing village famous for its sardines. Ideal for birdwatching as the surrounding wetlands are home to a rich wildlife.

7. Kalloni Salt Pans

An ornithologist’s paradise where flamingos and other migratory birds can be spotted.

8. Sigri

A quiet fishing village with the Natural History Museum of the Petrified Forest and a picturesque castle built by the Ottomans.

9. Agiasos

A traditional mountain village known for its pottery, wood carvings and the Panagia Vrefokratousa Monastery. The winding streets are perfect for exploring.

10. Beaches of Lesvos

Popular beaches include Vatera, Skala Eressos, Agios Isidoros and Petra. They offer crystal clear waters and a relaxed atmosphere.