Top Five Recommended Things to See and Do in Lesvos

Lesvos is one of the most beautiful Greek islands, located in the Northern Aegean Sea just off the coast of Turkey. Those who visit Lesvos are met with an abundance of options for how to spend their holiday in Greece, from visiting gorgeous villages scattered across mountains to enjoying soothing harbours along the coast filled with local cuisine and friendly faces. Many even enjoy bird watching around the island of Lesvos due to it being situated on the migratory route. There are so many beautiful places and hidden gems on Lesvos that narrowing it down to five for this blog was nearly impossible, but here’s our list!

The stunning sights throughout Lesvos will leave you breathless and captivate your heart long after you have left the island. The Real Lesvos team still find new things to see and do after visiting the island for over 20 years.

1. The Petrified Forest

The Petrified Forest of Lesvos, Greece is a historic landmark in Lesvos dating back 20 million years and is a UNESCO Global geopark of great scientific importance. The famous attraction was initially formed by a volcanic eruption within the area of Northern Lesvos, covering a vast area with molten lava and ash. The forest trees today are petrified, essentially turned to ‘stone’, and the remaining fossilised trees are so large they reach staggering heights of 20 metres upwards and almost 3 metres in width.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Petrified Forest is how nature has impacted the forest trees through perification, which is a process whereby wood is turned to stone, ‘fossilising’ the trees. During this process, the organic components are replaced with minerals such as silicate or often quartz, yet the trees maintain their structure. It is located close to the villages of Eressos, Sigri and Antissa on the western point in Lesvos and in 1985 the area was considered as a protected natural monument.

For a small fee, visitors can journey along the trails or visit the newly developed modern museum in the heart of the beautiful, bohemian seaside village of Sigri. The Petrified Forest is a one-of-a-kind landmark excellent for soaking up some local history and learning more about Lesvos.

2. Wander the Streets of Molyvos

The cobbled streets of Molyvos are a must-see attraction during your Greek island holiday. Paved with small shops, family-run restaurants, backstreet tavernas and even a gorgeous harbour, visitors are rarely lost for things to see and do. Molyvos is the most-visited place in Lesvos and it’s not surprising. The old, narrow stone streets and red-tiled roofs make you feel as if you are visiting a bygone era and stepping back in time. The natural beauty of Molyvos is enough reason alone to visit, but beyond this, the area offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of normal day-to-day life. Why not venture up to the Byzantine Molyvos castle for a piece of local history? Followed by lunch at the harbour and a swim in the crystal clear waters at the local beach? You won’t want to leave, so stay longer and watch the sunset! It’s one of the most romantic places on the island and if you’re lucky you might see a wedding here - it also makes a magical place for your honeymoon in Greece! If you’re here in summer there’s also an open-air cinema, where it’s simply magical to watch a film with the stars above you. When planning your holiday itinerary for your Greek island holiday you won’t want to miss out on a visit to this authentic and traditional part of Lesvos. Or if you’re planning a honeymoon in Greece, Lesvos is also the perfect place.

3. Visit Plomari: The Home of Ouzo

Plomari is recognised as the Ouzo capital of Greece and is the second largest town on the island of Lesvos, with Mytilini being the largest. Situated 42 kilometres from Mytilini, on the southern coast of Lesvos, Plomari is a beautiful and soothing spot and is an ideal getaway destination in Greece. Whilst you are here, we recommend visiting one, or both, of the best tourist attractions in Lesvos - The Ouzo distilleries and museums. Soak up the culture and history as you learn about the origins of this world-famous drink!
The area is affluent with a variety of thrilling things to see and do - two Ouzo factories and museums as well as Olive Oil museums, and beautiful beaches. The fascinating architecture incorporates large-scale mansions juxtaposed with historic decaying factories. It’s a wonderfully relaxed town with a slower pace of life and friendly local people. After a long day of sightseeing and excursions, there are several inexpensive eateries and tavernas for you to enjoy a tipple of ouzo - or several if you’re feeling brave! We recommend you enjoy it like the locals - over ice with some traditional local Greek meze (small plates of food) and don’t rush… this is slow food at its best! When you visit Lesvos on your Greek island getaway we are sure you’ll want to include this destination on your list of places to visit.

4. Healing Springs of Lesvos: Thermi On Gera

The baths at Thermi are located on the idyllic Gulf of Gera and dates back to the start of the last century, with renovations over the years respecting the history and original architecture of the baths.
Many believe the baths surrounded the area of the ancient temple to Hera, providing a number of healing attributes recommended for arthritis, kidney ailments, bronchitis, illnesses of the womb, intestinal diseases, rheumatism and much more. Many of the locals are convinced the separate baths for Men and Women are the best healing springs on the island and they are certainly the largest in Lesvos. They are open all year round and there’s nothing quite like the feeling of dipping into the hot spring water and following this by plunging quickly into the cooler waters of the sea. Locals recommend alternating the hot and cold at least three times! Check out the map for other hot springs on Lesvos.

5. Relax on Petra Beach

Petra is a village in the north of the island, its old buildings and cobbled streets surround a large rock with a church on top. The Beach is long and beautiful with a wide variety of amenities that you might wish for full relaxation whilst on your Greek Island holiday. There are cafes and restaurants galore, and they even provide free parasols and loungers on the beach when you purchase a drink. Picture exquisitely clean water with sand and shingle beach as far as the eye can see. If you are looking for a peaceful beach on your Greek island-hopping holiday then Petra beach is a memorable place not to miss. You can take a boat trip over to the deserted Rabbit island, sip a Plomari ouzo or enjoy an ice cream by the traditional square and find a family-run taverna or buzzing beach bar to watch the breathtaking sunsets.

There’s so much to see and do on Lesvos - it is Greece’s third-largest island after all. For more recommendations check out our website www.reallesvos.com or drop us a message or an email - we’d love to talk all things Lesvos with you!