GreekMYTILINI
Mytilini is the capital of Lesvos. It is located at the southeast of the island, opposite to the coasts of Asia Minor. The church of Agios Therapon projects imposingly in its centre and its castle dominates on a hill over the port. During your visit you will find out that it is a vibrant city not only during summer, but also in winter, since it is the seat of the University of the Aegean hosting a great student community. Stroll around the seafront, visit the main traditional market at Ermou street, taste small bites of traditional dishes at the ouzo-tavernas found hidden in the nearby alleys, enjoy your coffee in Sappho square and live a nightlife experience in the bars found at the seafront or the paved alleys behind it such as the area of Ladadika and Komninaki str. Mytilini has a special architectural wealth proving its bright past. Neoclassical mansions and buildings combining baroque, renaissance, neo-gothic, neoclassic and belle époque features are found all over the city, as well as at the area of Akleidiou and Sourada in the road to airport. To the same direction you will find the settlements Agia Marina, Kagiani with the imposing temple of Taxiarhes with the wonderful view to the opposite Asia Minor coasts and Vareia. Two great museums are found in an olive grove at Vareia, the Museum of Theophilos with paintings of the folk painter Theophilos and the Library-Museum of Stratis Eleftheriades Teriade where works of very famous Greek and foreign painters are housed. Do not miss to visit them. In the city of Mytilini, besides the main port of the island, you will also find an organized marina offering haven to sailboats throughout the year.
LOUTRA – ALYFANTA
To the side of the Gulf of Gera, 3 km far from Mytilini, you will find the small settlement of Alyfanta, while the picturesque settlement Loutra is amphitheatrically built near the gulf’s mouth. It is located 8 km far from Mytilini and its haven is Skala of Loutra where you can enjoy delicious fish dishes near the sea.
PANAGIOUDA – PAMFILA – MORIA – AFALONAS
Panagiouda is located 6 km from Mytilini and has a picturesque harbor where you can enjoy your coffee or a meal of traditional delicacies and fresh fish. Its church, dedicated to Virgin Mary (Panagia) – where the village’s name comes from – is the typical feature of the settlement. At a small distance you will find another settlement, Pamfila. In that region, there are small beaches with shallow waters ideal for families, such as Vigla and Niselia. The village Afalonas climbed up on a small hill over Panagiouda offers a wonderful view. It neighbours with Moria where you can visit a very important archaeological site, the Roman Aqueduct. There, you will see a part of the arches of this impressive construction which in the past carried water from Agiasos to Mytilini.
LOUTROPOLI OF THERMI – PYRGOI OF THERMI
After Pamfila, at the coastal road, you will meet the region of Thermi with Pyrgoi of Thermi, the beach of Thermi and Loutropoli of Thermi. Thermi took its name after the thermal springs of the area, while Pyrgoi of Thermi after the tower (pyrgos) houses built there as summer domiciles of wealthy families of the past. The broader region has been developed as a summer settlement with tourist accommodation facilities. Enjoy your coffee or meal at the cafés and tavernas next to the sea or at the traditional coffee shops of the picturesque village. Relax in the organized sandy beach Kanoni. Visit the prehistoric settlement of Thermi or make a stroll at the green hill of Karyes where one of the most known pilgrimages on the island is located, the Monastery of Saints Raphael, Nikolaos and Eirini.
MISTEGNA – NEES KYDONIES – KOMI – PIGI
Passing Loutropoli of Thermi and keeping on at the coastal road, you will find a small bay with the beautiful beach Petalidi, ideal for families as well as young people. If you continue your way, the main road will drive you to Mistegna and Nees Kydonies with their havens (skala) where you can enjoy your swim and taste amazing fish tidbits. About 14 km from Thermi, towards the inland, the small picturesque villages of Pigi and Komi are found, well-known for the Feast of Tavros, taking place there every summer.
MANTAMADOS – AGIOS STEFANOS
Mantamados is one of the most interesting villages of eastern Lesvos regarding its architecture and famous for its Monastery of Archangel Michael (Taxiarchis), one of the major pilgrimages on the island. After your visit to the church of Taxiatchis, have a coffee and taste traditional loukoumades (fried dough balls with syrup) at the cafeteria in the courtyard of the monastery. Visit also some of the pottery workshops of the village as it has a long tradition in this art. Every summer the Panlesvian Ceramics Exhibition takes place at the village’s restored olive press of 19th c. operating as a cultural centre. The adjacent coastal settlement of Agios Stefanos has also long tradition in pottery, especially in artisans called tsoukalades who made a special kind of clay pots (tsoukalia). In the area there are beautiful beaches for those who seek calmness and relaxation such as the beach of Aspropotamos and Chryssi Ammos.
KLEIO – KAPI – PELOPI
Passing Mantamados, if you keep on north, you will find the mountain village of Kapi, where a small road leads to its picturesque haven, Geni Limani, a pretty settlement where apart from swimming at the crystal clear waters, you can also enjoy fresh fish at its fish tavernas. Leaving Kapi, to the west you will come across the picturesque mountain village of Pelopi, while continuing to the main road you will arrive at Kleio. It is built at an altitude of 350 m. and is surrounded by verdant hills. It is worth visiting its picturesque square with the plane trees and rest under their shade enjoying your coffee. A road from Kleio will drive you to its haven the beautiful beach of Tsonia with the reddish sand, the fish taverns next to the sea and its small harbor.
