Molivos

Everything you need to know about Lesvos

 

Searching for a holiday that’s got sunshine, idyllic beaches, amazing sights and seriously tasty cuisine? Look no further than Lesvos.

A fascinating ancient past comes to life between shimmering golden beaches and breathtaking olive tree-studded landscapes across the Greek isles. Team this with a peppering of the country’s famous blues and whites, heavenly fare and stunning historic sights, and you’ve got yourself a holiday to remember.

Fancy jetting off on a Lesvos holiday? Here’s what you’ve got to look forward to…

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The best of the beaches

If you love nothing more than spending your days lazing on a golden beach and soaking up the sunshine, then you’ve come up trumps stumbling upon Lesvos. This beach-ringed island has a sandy spot for all, from pretty Petra Beach in the north to the darker sands of Vatera Beach in the south.

You’ve got the choice of quiet, relatively undiscovered coves where you can while away an afternoon in total peace and quiet or more popular spots filled with loungers, lined with bars and restaurants and offering up a great array of water sports. The shores here are a mix of sand, pebble and shingle.

Try: Skala Eressos Beach

This beauty holds the much-coveted Blue Flag status and is not to be missed. It’s backed by a lush green valley, so your sunbathing setting couldn’t get more serene if it tried!

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A treasure trove of ancient sights

Looking to delve deeper into Lesvos’ past? You can see everything from the intriguing remains of a Roman aqueduct to pretty and peaceful monasteries that are hidden away in the hills. The island is also famed for being the home of 7th-century poet, Sappho, who wrote whimsical poems, hymns and love stories based here. She wasn’t the only writer to have walked this land though, as famous fable-writer, Aesop, was also born here. You could spend some time retracing their steps and learning about the backstories behind their popular works.

Visit: Molivos

This is where you’ll find one of the island’s highlights, Molivos Castle. It sits atop a hill surrounded by terracotta-topped houses and is one of the best-preserved fortresses across the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean. To get there, there are lots of steps involved – 246 to be precise. You’ll certainly be rewarded with spectacular sea views when you reach the top.

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Mouth-watering cuisine

You’ve got traditional fish tavernas out towards the coast serving up fresh catches alongside family-run eateries at the heart of the villages, using generations-old recipes that never fail to impress. Menus are filled with renowned Greek delights, including souvlaki, gyros and feta-filled salads drizzled in olive oil. Got room for dessert? Don’t miss out on a giant slab of syrupy baklava and ice cream.

Must-do: An ouzo factory and museum

It’s not all about the delicious food here either. Lesvos is known as the island of ouzo due to the farmers on the island producing around half of the world’s ouzo supply – impressive or what? Sample a tipple after your meal or really get to know this fiery spirit on a visit to one of the many ouzo museums and factories here.

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Magnificent flora and fauna

Between extensive olive groves, pine-studded forests and lilac-tinged orchids, the island of Lesvos is something of a botanical paradise. There are so many hiking trails across the island that it’s easy to immerse yourself in this beautiful landscape.

The Petrified Forest of Lesvos is quite a contrast. After a volcanic eruption nearly 20 million years ago, the whole island was blanketed in ash and lava. The trees that remained eventually turned from wood to stone, a process called petrification. It’s a real treat to see the ones that are still left standing today!

Try: Birdwatching at Kalloni Salt Pans

It’s a birdwatcher's paradise here, especially in spring. There will be plenty of different species to spy all year round, but the autumn and spring migrations are normally favoured by bird fanatics. Head to the Salt Pans this time of year and you’ll witness a real spectacle.

Posted: 1st Nov 2019. Updated: 24th Apr 2023.

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