With 20 year’s experience on one of Greece’s most beautiful and largest islands, we’ve hand-picked the best accommodation in Lesvos, based on our extensive local knowledge, just for you.
Why book with Real Lesvos?
Customer Concierge Service – full support before you leave and after you arrive on Lesvos.
No Cancellation Fees – if the government changes their travel advice (more details here).
Only 10% deposit required for 2024, 2025 and 2026!
Payment at checkout in any of 6 currencies.
Support for local initiatives – we support local causes (more info here).
Support for local businesses – we work in partnership with local suppliers, so they want you to book through us! If you would like to become one of our partner suppliers, click here for more information.
Why do you love Lesvos?
Lesvos is my roots - like my 150-year-old olive trees - and Molyvos is my heart. Every day - winter or summer - Lesvos generously offers me smells of geranium, night flower, basil and rosemary from its courtyards. The magical sunrises, the simplicity of people, the seagulls that follow the fishing boats, the sunsets in the Aegean Sea, the crystal blue waters and the fresh sardines, along with such beautiful unexplored nature, make me feel so young at almost 60.
What is your personal family history on Lesvos or Molyvos?
My paternal family originates from Lesvos since 1740, connecting the villages of Molyvos, Sykamia, Petra, Agia Paraskevi and Vatousa, in one genealogical family tree. Even though I grew up and lived in Athens, we enjoyed Lesvos in the summer and spring, every year since my childhood. For the last seven years my husband and I have chosen to move permanently to Molyvos, for the quality of life.
Why do you support Real Lesvos?
As a local accommodation professional and an active member of the local community, I always support efforts that focus on real island life, authentic experiences and discovering the traditions of Lesvos. A company with the name "Real Lesvos" and 20 years of personal experience on the island from the owners, will receive my support!
Tell us something unique about Lesvos/Molyvos!
As the 3rd biggest island in Greece, Lesvos is vibrant all year round. As mass tourism has not yet come to Lesvos, it combines the authentic traditional life of the countryside with the comforts of modern life. After all, lately through globalization, anyone can work from anywhere.
Fast internet, security through a hospital, doctors, airport, port and well-organised state structures, led so many middle-aged or retired long-term visitor and young digital nomads to become part of the population of Lesvos.
Who wouldn't want to be a resident of a beautiful Greek island, have fun and live adventures on an island with a petrified forest, thermal hot waters, castles, culture, art and so much to discover?
Who wouldn't want to be more or less active through a friendly community, picking of olives and oil, blogs, photography, dancing, theatre, bird watching, yoga, wellness retreats and volunteering?
My Mother is from Molyvos. I was born in Kalloni but came to Molyvos as a child every day. When I got married in 2004, I moved to Molyvos.
Real Lesvos is an exciting organised effort to promote tourism on Lesvos and to give credit and respect to the business owners that they deserve.
Personally, I love Lesvos because it is such a nice place and it is our home! When you are here even in the winter it eases your mind. You definitely relax. It’s like an oasis to me.
Why do you love Lesvos?
Taxia: Other than being our homeland, it is a special place with endless opportunities for exploration: the people of Lesvos, its nature and its history and its myths.
Giannis: I love Lesvos because it is an island full of light, poetry, art and history. It makes me feel free and blessed that I live in such a place.
What is your personal family history on Lesvos?
Taxia: My family originally came from the islands of Marmara, just beneath Constantinople and they chose Lesvos as their new home. Both my mother’s side and father’s side share roots in Asia Minor but met on Lesvos. My mother’s side were a fishing family with fishing boats. My father’s side worked the earth and had livestock. My husband’s family settled in the mountainous regions of Lesvos with farm animals and fate had a way of bringing us together in Molyvos where we raised a family. We decided to reinvest into our forefathers’ land and legacy here on the mountain - back when they just had sheep and only gathered olives - we decided to make something special.
Giannis: I was born in a small village called Stipsi next to Molyvos and I grew up in nature. I learnt to love everything around me: the flowers, the trees, the animals and I was never bored. I love the sea too, and the mountain of course. Later on I finished cooking school and opened a restaurant. We always wanted create a destination for people looking to live in nature.
Why do you love and support Real Lesvos?
Taxia: I truly believe that the founder, Mark, and his family too, are people who love the island - except they profess it! We've known them all for years. We know that everything they do, they do with love and passion. We’re sure that they will also treat their land that they have come to call home, Lesvos, with the same love and passion. Real Lesvos has a heart and soul - it is not a faceless entity - it has feeling and it has character!
Giannis: Lesvos has been through many difficult situations and Real Lesvos allows people to see the beauty on offer here. I truly believe in their mission.
Tell us something unique about Lesvos:
Taxia: Aristotelis Lagoon is very interesting - not only historically but botanically too. Lesvos has very rich flora and fauna which draws visitors from all over. Most people come here for the sun and sea and eventually they start meeting the people of the island. These faithful visitors soon get to know about special places that are unknown to those just passing through, like the best places to walk, cycle and meditate. Lesvos is the island of love - most people here were (and are) artists, poets and musicians.
Giannis: Where do I begin…our healing waters? Lesvos is a place you can come to anytime of the year. Enjoy the autumn coolness when the island is less populated, or enjoy the waterfalls, snowy mountains and do mountain-shoeing in the winter. Spring time is perfect for watching birds in migration, like the flamingo, and the summer is when the island is filled with life and you can enjoy its beautiful beaches.
Lesvos is our homeland. Everyone in our family was born here. We work hard every day and we go home, drink ouzo with family or friends. We love nature: when the green dips into the blue - from the east there is green of trees and the blue of the sea in the Spring with purple and red flowers. It is very sunny all the time, it has its shady areas of course, and ouzo.
It was my great great great grandfather that started this - our history in ceramics is lost in the past. We know that the business began at least 5 generations ago. This shop used to be elsewhere but the business moved here to this building/kiln, originally built in 1937. Mantamados used to have more than 100 families that worked in ceramics - we are one of the few remaining.
Because we want to show foreigners the real Lesvos so when they visit, the local people can have a voice and their habits. It is not just about tourism - it is about the daily life of the local people.
I think the view of the stars in the night sky from Lesvos is unique. The Sigri Volcano is unique here - but to us, what makes it unique is its variety - the east is wet and green and the west is dry, volcanic and barren.
Lesvos has always survived and been self-sufficient without any external help and although we’re far apart from other lands, we’ll always be Greek - we have everything we need and, if you meet a person from Lesvos, they won’t resemble anyone you’ll meet in Greece. Everyone on this island has a relative from Asia Minor; refugees populated the island after the Destruction of Smyrna. This island has a tradition of giving to those that no longer have - nature, trees and freedom!
Our traditional music and dance are impressive. There are many dances that began here - for the people of Lesvos. The people all look different but all love strongly. Because we don’t have many tourists, the people of the island are all authentically themselves, authentically Greek. The island needs investment into its unspoilt island. We expect to receive tourists that know about our culture and who respect it. The nicest treasures of the island are secrets, all the best beaches are secret so tourists need a guide! Real Lesvos holds the key to some of these secrets…