This Greek island is known for ancient olive groves, hot mineral springs, and the hometown of poet Sappho. Local ouzo distilleries welcome visitors year-round.
Lesbos, Greece's third-largest island, lies in the northeastern Aegean Sea, just 6 miles from Turkey's coast. Walk through streets lined with 20-million-year-old petrified trees, climb to the Byzantine castle in Mytilene, or watch flamingos gather in the Kalloni Gulf wetlands. Between olive groves and small villages, you'll find Roman aqueducts, working ouzo distilleries, and mineral springs where locals have bathed for centuries.
Getting to Lesbos
You can reach Lesbos through Mytilene International Airport, which has daily flights from Athens and Thessaloniki, plus seasonal routes from several European cities. Daily ferries depart from Piraeus port in Athens, taking approximately 12 hours to reach the island. During summer, you can also take a ferry from Ayvalık, Turkey.
Moving Around the Island
Public buses connect major towns but run on irregular schedules. Renting a car gives you freedom to explore the 350-kilometer coastline and inland villages. You'll find rental agencies at the airport and in Mytilene town.
Exploring Mytilene Town
Mytilene curves around a natural harbor, with its Byzantine castle dominating the northern end. Inside St Therapontas Orthodox cathedral, you'll see a unique combination of Baroque, Rococo, and Gothic architecture. Walk along Ermou, the market street behind the waterfront, to find local shops and cafes.
The Village of Molyvos
Stone houses with wooden balconies line the narrow streets of Molyvos in the island's northwest. These paths wind uphill to a medieval castle built during the Byzantine period. The fortress walls overlook both the village's red-tiled roofs and the Mediterranean Sea.
Natural Sites
Near Sigri, volcanic activity created the Petrified Forest 15-20 million years ago - you can walk among fossilized tree trunks scattered across the landscape. The island's hot springs contain mineral-rich waters, while the Kalloni Gulf wetlands fill with migrating birds, including flamingos from autumn through spring.
Local Products
Eleven million olive trees grow across Lesbos's hills, producing olive oil throughout the year. In Plomari, distillers make ouzo using traditional copper stills and agricultural alcohol, following strict production rules. Visit pottery workshops in Agiasos and Mandamados to see local artisans creating ceramics - each village maintains its own distinct patterns and techniques.
