LESBOS TRAVEL GUIDE

Lesbos is one of the nice islands in Greece and the third largest. Lesbos, also known as Lesvos, is a great place to spend at least two days or more. We will try to explain what to see, where to go, and where to stay.

How To Get To Lesbos Island?

The easiest way to get to Lesbos Island is by taking the Lesbos ferries from the mainland. If you prefer to drive, there are also morning and evening ferry services.

To travel by car, the vehicle must be registered in your name.  A round-trip ferry trip costs €70. If you're traveling for more than four days and with a group, it may be more economical to rent your own vehicle. During the high season, car rentals range from €40 to €50 per day.

If you prefer to fly, you can fly with airlines like Olympic Air and Agean Air, which connect in Athens.

Places To Visit In Lesbos

Boats dock at Mitilini Harbor. If you're visiting the island for a day trip, this is the first place you'll visit. However, I recommend staying at least one night and renting a car to explore the island.

MITILINI

When you arrived on the island of Lesbos, the ship docked in Mytilini. As you arrive, Lesbos Castle stands out at the very tip of the island. The castle was used by the Byzantine Empire and later the Ottoman Empire. As with all castles, the entrance to the island was chosen to provide a clear view of enemies. The city lies just behind the castle.

Mitilini's coastal area is lined with cafes and restaurants, where you can enjoy the scenery. If you're looking to shop, head to Ermou Street , a backstreet along the beach . However, if you visit on a Sunday, most shops will be closed.

One of the island's most magnificent structures is undoubtedly the church of Agios Therapon . Its aesthetically pleasing dome catches your eye immediately as it glides over the ship. You'll also see the church as you stroll along Ermou Street. Mytilini also boasts mosques and civil architecture from the Ottoman era. You're sure to encounter some of these as you wander the streets. If you're interested in history, you can also visit the Archaeological Museum.

PLOMARI

Just picked up a car from the port of Lesbos and first headed to Plomari. This could be a good choice for those who want to swim. Restaurants line the long beach. As we head inland, a large plane tree catches our eye. Planted in 1813, it has grown enormous today. Around the tree are cafes and restaurants with wooden tables and chairs. You might also want to see the beautiful clock tower and the church of Agios Nikolaos .

Plomari is where the famous Barbayanni ouzo is produced. Plomari is also famous for its soap production. There's even a soap museum. Along the way, you'll see the Barbayanni ouzo factory and museum. 

AYASOS VILLAGE (AGIASOS VILLAGE)

Ayasos Village is a favorite stop on Lesbos Island. It's 27 km from Mitilini, and on the way, you'll pass along the Gulf of Gera, one of the island's two largest gulfs, before reaching the village. The church of Panagia Vrefokratusa (Virgin Mary and the Holy Child), located in the village square, is of great importance to the village. The church's icon of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Child is believed to have miraculous powers, making it a place of pilgrimage. Every year on August 15th (the day of the Virgin Mary's death), many believers come to pray at this church.

You'll find many souvenirs made of wood and ceramics in Ayasos Village. Wood and ceramic craftsmanship is still practiced here. The village square is dotted with charming coffeehouses. Old stone buildings have been converted into cafes, creating a delightful atmosphere with their elegant decor.

After a drink of mastic coffee at one of the stylish coffeehouses. I recommend wandering the backstreets of the village. The narrow streets are lined with many aesthetically pleasing stone houses, their original doors and windows still intact. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the streets of Ayasos for about an hour. If you're interested, there's also a folk museum at the village entrance.

PETRA

Petra, after Ayasos Village, is another favorite spot on Lesbos Island. Located on the coast, Petra is a charming settlement. Along the shore, dining options are lined up. Most are fish restaurants, with reasonable prices. Souvenir shops are located in the street behind the restaurants. Beyond this street, the settlement begins.

As elsewhere on the island, narrow cobblestone streets are lined with stone houses. One of these houses, now a museum, is the Vareltzidaina Mansion , a classic Turkish house advertised as an old Balkan house. It's a remarkably aesthetically pleasing structure, instantly recognizable among the other structures.

There's a prominent church in Petra, visible from everywhere. The Church of Panagia Glycophyllus , like the one at Meteora, is built on a 35-meter-high rock in the center of Petra. Petra even takes its name from this rock. In Greek, Petra means rock. To visit the church, you'll need to climb 114 steps.

I recommend waiting for the sunset in Petra and taking photos. Afterward, don't forget to enjoy a fish meal at one of the lovely restaurants on the beach. There are plenty of accommodation options in Petra. I recommend staying in Petra or Molivos. However, if you prefer swimming, Petra is a bit more convenient.

MOLIVOS

If you're staying in Petra, you can visit Molivos and then return. These two beautiful settlements are only 6 km apart. There's even a miniature train that runs between them if you don't have a car. The train, which runs approximately 10 times a day, costs €5 round-trip in 2016. If you buy a round-trip ticket, you can get on and off wherever you want. You can buy your ticket on board. Explanations are provided in Greek and English

Molyvos has a small harbor, where boats from many countries arrive and anchor. Inside, elegant restaurants have taken up residence. As you ascend from the harbor, you'll see the island's typical narrow cobblestone streets, along with stone mansions and souvenir shops that have been built in their former locations. 

Of the mansions in Molyvos, the Giannakou Mansion , with its wall paintings, is arguably the most intriguing. If you'd like to climb the castle, you'll need to allocate plenty of time. You can drive up to the castle. The wooden gate of Molyvos Castle is worth seeing. The last addition to the castle was made by the Ottomans in the 14th century, giving it its current form.

If you'd like to visit religious buildings, the Pandeleimonas Church , the Hagia Kikiaki Church , and the Taxiarchis Basilica are worth visiting. Molivos was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1965.

SYKAMIA

Sykamia Village is one of five well-preserved villages on Lesbos. Built 315 meters above sea level, it consists entirely of stone houses. There's a very small village square. I didn't see a single souvenir shop here. The only cafes in the center of the village are coffeehouses.

There's a historic fountain in the square. You can drink from it; it's been tested. After leaving the square, if you'd like to explore the residential areas, stone-paved streets with numerous stairs turn left and right, leading upwards. You can take some water with you and start climbing.

The parking lot where you'll park your car is at the beginning of the village, where you'll also find a folk museum. The museum is located on the lower floor of the village's primary school and is run by the women's association of Sykamia Village.

If you descend approximately 3.5 km from Sykamia Village to the seaside, you'll reach Skala Sykamia Beach. This area is relatively quiet, with a few cafes and fish restaurants, but it's also quite popular. You can swim in the sea on one side of the beach, and dine at the restaurants in the harbor behind the fishing boats on the other.

A tiny white church stands on a rock jutting out into the sea, called Panagia Gorgona . Skala Sykamia beach is a trendy location for many couples to hold their weddings. The square itself is truly tranquil, small, and beautiful. Don't forget to check out the few small souvenir shops in the square.

LESBOS CITY TOURS

If you haven't rented a car or done any research on the island, you can purchase a city tour from one of the tour companies lined up across from the harbor immediately after disembarking. You can find English guides on the tours. Prices for city tours vary from half-day to full-day. 

Depending on your length of stay, I recommend Petra, Molivos, Ayasos Village, and Sykamia Village. If you're short on time, you can skip Plomari. What makes Mandamados particularly interesting is the Taxiarhis Monastery, which you can skip if you're not interested

.

What To Eat On Lesbos Island?

The food on Lesbos is similar to Turkish cuisine. You can try ouzo. As I've mentioned before, the most popular is Barbayanni ouzo. You can also try mastic Turkish coffee. For dessert, try mastic pudding and platsenta (made with walnuts stuffed inside a thin layer of dough and drizzled with cinnamon and clove syrup). Appetizers and, of course, fish are essential.

Car Rental In Lesbos Island

If you go during peak season, finding a car can be a bit tricky. You need to make a reservation 48 hours in advance. After that, companies don't accept online car rentals. Prices ranged from 40 to 50 euros in 2016. In the low season, you can find a car for around 25 euros. You get a slight discount if you pay cash. We rented a car from www.lesvoscar.gr.

Lesbos Island Transportation

If you haven't rented a car, you can also travel around the island by bus. However, the bus services aren't very frequent, so you should plan your trip around them. Even with a rental car, you won't be able to go very fast in some areas. The roads on Lesbos are narrow and winding in many parts, but they are paved.

Digital Content | Zehra Arslan Ceylan