What to see in Lesbo?
Lesbos Island is large and there are many things to see, making it suitable for a long stay. I recommend it to those who, besides the sea, love nature, beautiful villages, and traditions. Below are the main things to see.
Mitilene
In ancient times, Mitilene was a very modern, prosperous, intellectual city (with Sappho, Aesop, and Alcaeus), and a great maritime power. Currently, it has a beautiful promenade from which you can see the coast of Asia Minor and a Genoese castle, also in a panoramic position, containing the ruins of the Turkish city that once stood within its walls. The imposing church of Agios Therapon houses the Byzantine Museum. The city is shaped like an amphitheater descending towards the sea.
Ancient Theater of Mitilene
A beautiful theater, among the most prestigious in classical Greece, which could accommodate 15,000 people and had perfect acoustics. Located in the upper part of the city, it offers a beautiful panorama.
Archaeological Museum of Mitilene
It contains a rich collection of ancient statuettes and lamps, as well as mosaics and capitals.
Folklore Museum of Mitilene
Located on the pier, it contains an interesting collection of local folklore objects, as well as some pieces of "petrified trunks" from the famous petrified forest of the island.
Methymna (Molivo)
It was the most important city after Mitilene, situated on a hill with a mighty Genoese castle and a splendid panorama of the mountains of Troy. Now it is a picturesque seaside resort with colorful houses, a beautiful fishing port, and a beautiful sandy beach. The town is considered a national monument and is a meeting place for artists from all over the world.
Haghiassos
A beautiful village at the foot of Mount Olympus, characterized by houses with wooden flowered balconies and an oriental charm. In the village, you can admire the church of Panagia with a miraculous silver icon. During the holidays, in Haghiassos, it is possible to listen to the ancient samptouri, the traditional organ of the island.
Mount Olympus
A climb to this mountain offers a breathtaking panorama.
Ruins of Pirra
Destroyed in 231 BC, to admire it you need to rent a boat because the ruins are currently at the bottom of the sea.
Petrified Forest
In the area between Eressos, Sigri, and Antissa, strange petrified trunks have been found that reach up to 10 meters in height and more than 3 meters in diameter. The area is completely arid and the trunks are not easy to find. They are not real tree trunks but rock formations created by volcanic action.
Eressos
It is said that this village was the homeland of Sappho. Its position is dominant over a beautiful sandy beach and nearby are the ruins of three early Christian basilicas.
Antissa
A very large and very beautiful village, spread out on the slopes of a mountain.
Varia
The birthplace of the painter Theofilos, where many of his paintings are exhibited.
Moria
A village located near Mitilene with a Roman aqueduct consisting of 12 arches that brought water from Mount Olympus to Mitilene.
Plomari
A village famous for the production of the best ouzo in Greece. You can visit the distilleries.
Skala Sykamias
A very picturesque fishing port.
Lutra Thermis
A thermal resort known since ancient times.
Petra
A beautiful fishing port that takes its name from a huge rock that stands near a beautiful sandy beach. At the top of the rock, the church of Panagia Glikofilousa was built, accessible by a staircase of 114 steps and very panoramic.
Monastery of Limonos
With an ethnological museum and a library, it has beautiful frescoes and rare folk art objects.
Gulf of Yera
An idyllic and picturesque very deep gulf, green, similar to a lake, and ideal for walks. At the entrance of the gulf, there is the monastery of Aghios Ermoghenis in a beautiful setting.
Cave of Agia Marina
A beautiful cave with formations, located just south of Mitilene.
Bull Festival
Celebrated in Aghia Paraskevi (and in Mantamados) towards the end of May, it has very ancient roots. The festival includes the killing of several bulls, a large banquet, and equestrian competitions.
Feast of Aghia Panagia
It takes place in Haghiassos in mid-August and lasts three days.
