Lesvos

The green island of Lesvos is the third largest island in Greece. It is unaffected by the mass tourism that has turned other islands into amusement parks, Lesvos is the perfect place to visit for people who want to experience the real Greece. For the Greek Island traveler who is worried about not having enough to do, Lesvos is the perfect destination. Lesvos is easily reachable by ferry or jet and the cost of a holiday there is a fraction of the cost of the more popular Greek islands and mainland destinations. Despite tourism, the inhabitants of the island of Lesvos have kept their tradition and customs. Lesvos is famous for its excellent ouzo and for being the birthplace of the female poet Sappho.

Things to see

Lesvos is a large island with lots to see. The island of Lesvos is blessed with significant beaches, traditional villages, more and special varieties of birds and wildflowers, medieval castles, museums, monasteries, hotels, restaurants etc. Fine examples of traditional architecture, Venetian and Byzantine architecture can be admired in the majority of the villages of Lesvos.

Many of the old Monasteries of Lesvos are still in use. Some have become destinations for pilgrimages while others carry on the spiritual tradions of long ago. A modern day phenomenon is the developing Monastery of Agiou Raphael in Thermi. People come from all over Greece to the shrine of the Newly Sanctified Martyrs of Raphael, the Father Superior of the destroyed monastery, of Nikolas, the deacon, and the young Irene, all three of whom died as martyrs at the hands of the Turks in 1463. In Mandamados at theChurch of Taxiarches , the miracle working saint of the island is woshipped. The carved icon was made by a monk using mud and the blood of his fallen comrades after being miraculously saved by Saracen pirates. In Agiassos the Virgin Mary is venerated and everything revolves around the miracle working icon of the Blessed Virgin Vrefokratousa and the Church of the Panagia. During a two week period leading up to the 15th of August, which is the Holy Day of the Virgin Mary, pilgrims begin flocking to the town not only from Lesvos but all over Greece, slowly building up to a carnival-like atmosphere, peaking on the eve of the feast day. There is another festival on September 14th commemorating the day when the Holy cross which Mytilinians brought back from Jerusalem after it was consecrated on Golgotha.

The coastline is full of bays nestling long sandy or pebbled beaches, and small coves forming calm and picturesque swimming places. You are surely to be mesmerised by the crystalline sea and the clear blue skies in Lesvos. Some of the most significant beaches are Anaxos, Eftalou, Molyvos, Melinta, Vatera etc.

The Petrified Forest of Lesvos: The exceptional palaeontological and geological value of the Petrified forest of Lesbos has considered as a unique natural monument. Remains of fossil plants, which form the famous «Petrified forest of Lesvos», declared as Protected Natural Monument, have been found in many localities on the western part of Lesvos island.

When to come

The climate and the weather of Lesvos belong to the category of the Mediterranean climate, i.e. subtropical dry. Basic peculiarities of the Mediterranean climate are wet winters and warm, dry summers with a high percentage of sunshine. In some Mediterranean areas, the sea has a relevant influence and becomes stronger whether when cold marine streams are present: the consequence is that there are occasionally chilly summers. However, in the Mediterranean basin, the general lack of such streams generates higher temperatures. Spring and summer are the best seasons for coming in Lesvos where many events take place and an alternative kind of tourism, bird-watching is flourishing.