Lesvos

Lesvos is the third largest island of Greece and is an island with beautiful nature, traditional villages and crystal clear beaches. Lesvos is also known as Mytilene ,the capital of the island, in which is located the main commercial and economic activity. It is a popular holiday destination both for families and for large groups of friends as it has a variety of activities to offer.

In the 10th century BC the Aeolians were installed in Lesvos and poetry and literature flourished. For centuries, the island changed rulers until the 80 BC that it began part of the Roman Empire. After the rule of the Byzantine Empire, in 1462, Lesvos passed into the hands of the Turks. In spite of the efforts made during the Revolution of 1821, the island was liberated in 1912. After the Asia Minor disaster of 1922 about 24,000 refugees settled permanently on the island. During World War II, Lesvoswas conquered in 1941 by German troops and was released 3 years later.

Lesvos is home to unique attractions which are worth to visit during your stay on the island. The Olive Museum is situated in the region Agia Paraskevi and gives an overview of the olive production in Greece. The Castle of Mytilene, which is open daily to the public, is considered one of the largest in Europe, as it occupies an area of about 60 acres. It is worth to visit the Yeni Mosque in Mytilene, which is located in the district of the Epano Skala (Upper Latter), where once stood the Turkish market built in the 19th century. In the same district, there is also the Municipal Library of the island. It is worth making a visit to the Archaeological Museum which houses mosaics and frescoes from the luxurious mansions of Mytilene, of the 2nd century BC. During your holiday on the island don't miss to the opportunity to visit the Byzantine Ecclesiastical Museum of Mytilene, which is located opposite the church of Agios Therapontas, in the heart of the city, in which gold-embroidered vestments and other ecclesiastical items are exhibited. It is also worth to visit the Park of the Petrified Forest, a total area of 286 acres, which was created about 17 million years ago and is one of the most important monuments.

On the island of Lesvos there is a wide range of beaches of all kinds. A few minutes from the centre is the organized beach of Tsamakia which is an ideal close-by option. The inlet Saint Hermogenes and the Haramida beach with wonderful beach bars are also close-by. On the northern side of Mytilene you will find the Kanoni beach with lots of tavernas and water sports. Well-known beach for its crystal clear waters is Skala Eressos which is a destination for groups of friends. Near the village of Clio is the beautiful beach Tsonia with red sand and crystal clear blue waters. For families the ideal beach is Vatera as it has several options of water sports and restaurants in the surrounding area. Molyvos and Eftalou are some of the beaches with pebbles instead of sand making the landscape completely different. There are also taverns in the area and cafes. Other beautiful beaches which you can explore during your holiday on the island is Skala Kalloni and the bay of Gera.

The gastronomy of the island of Lesvos is quite diverse as it has been influenced by various cultures over the years. Traditional food of the island that you should definitely try is the fish soup with trahana. It is a classic fish soup with vegetables with the addition of trahanas (traditional greek pasta-like). Another traditional dish served especially at festivals, is the 'Keskesi'. The basic ingredients are wheat and some meat of sheep or beef and it is cooked all night. Typical dishes in each house of Mytilene are the Giuzlemedes and the Sfouggato. The Giuzlemedes are chesse pies with homemade pastry, fried in olive oil of high quality from the area, that you can also find in a sweet version. Other well-known dishes are the octopus and the sardines in different ways of cooking. Of course while on the island don't forget to try the desserts like the Cake of Agiasos, the baklava and the gemata which are traditional sweets offered at weddings. As the island has a lot of fruit and nuts, the locals tend to turn them into sweets depending on the season.

The Island has a interesting night life, and you will find several bars and clubs in Lesvos, in Skala and in Mythimna. There are proposals for all tastes and for all ages. There are bars playing Greek and foreign music where you can enjoy your cocktail in the late afternoon and night clubs with live music that promise unforgettable nights. On the island, of course, there are also clubs that offer a fast pace and entense entertainment where you can dance and party until the early hours. Also during the summer, Skala Eressos gathers crowds as the village has several bars next to the beach.

The telephone code of the island is 22510. Mytilini has its own airport "Odysseas Elytis" which is 8 kilometres from the centre of the island. Access to and from the airport is quite easy by local bus and by the taxis operating on the island. On the island there is also a port, which is one of the largest ports in the Aegean Sea and offers connections to several cities either as commercial or passenger routes.