Lesvos Sights & Attractions

The Castle of Molyvos stands on top of a hill with pine trees and offers a gorgeous view of the area. This is a strong castle with many signs, coat of arms and other distinctive elements.

The Castle of Mytilene was originally built in the Medieval times but it has undergone many transformations by the Genovese and the Turks. This is one of the strongest castles in the Eastern Mediterranean.

This forest, 12 km from Sigri, is a rare natural site and was petrified because of the intense volcanic activity of the area. In 1985, it was officially declared a natural monument.

The Museum of the Petrified Forest was founded in 1994. Its mission is the research, promotion, display, preservation, protection, and all other suitable exploitation of the unique forest.

The World of Ouzo Museum of Isidoros Arvanitis is located in a wonderful olive grove just a few minutes from the village of Plomari. This distillery, with more than 120 years of function, has a long tradition in ouzo production and exports its ouzo to 30 countries around the world.

This museum actually works as a distillery and presents the process of producing ouzo, a traditional beverage of Lesvos. You can also taste and buy ouzo there, the traditional beverage of Lesvos.

The Archaeological Museum of Mytilene is housed in two buildings, close one to the other. It hosts findings from excavations performed all over the island, such as small statues, Prehistoric items, parts of ancient temples, coins, jewelry, and others.

On the northern side of Mytilene, amidst pine trees, there is the Ancient Theatre of Lesvos. Originally built in the Hellenistic times, this theatre has undergone many reformations throughout its operation.

The island of Lesvos has about 200 caves and many of them are still unexplored. These caves are strongly associated with the Neolithic times and indications show that they were used as places of worship.

Vranas Olive Press Museum is a beautiful industrial building of unique architectural value. It was built By Nikolaos Vranas, the grandfather of the poet Odysseas Elytis, and it operated until the early 1970s

This monastery was founded in 1523 and was used as a spiritual center during the Ottoman occupation. The large halls of the monastery have been turned into an interesting museum, housing various treasures and marvels. The monastery also houses a rich library with more than 15,000 documents and 450 manuscripts that date from the 9th and 19th century. Women are not allowed to enter the monastery.

This Roman Aqueduct dates from the 3rd century AD and constitutes one of the first big technical accomplishments of the late Roman architecture. It opened as an archaeological site in 1995.

There are 3 hot springs in Lesvos: Efthalia, Thermes and Gera.

This Byzantine Monastery of Ipsilou was founded in the 9th century AD to honor Saint John the Theologian. It is located on the way from Andissa to Sigri, at an altitude of 511 m.

This monastery is said to be miracle-working and hosts the skull of Agios Raphael. It was built on the site of two previous monasteries and this is a sacred place of pilgrimage. Saint Raphael is the protector of the island.

Birdwatching is very popular on Lesvos. Although there are many birdwatching spots all around the island, the most famous is the salt lakes close to Kalloni, in the center of the island.

Yeni Mosque is an important historical monument of the 19th century that is located in the district of Epano Skala, Mytilene Town. This is the largest Muslim mosque in Mytilene.

The Georgios Iakovidis Digital Museum is the first fully equipped digital art museum in Greece located at the painter's birthplace in the mountainous village of Chidira Lesvos. Ever since its opening in 2008, the museum has become an important attraction for the region.

At the port of Sigri, there is a Castle constructed by the Turks in 1757 to protect the village from pirates. This castle is small, square in shape and has typical Arabic architecture.

Valide Tzami mosque was built in 1615 and is located at the fascinating port city of Mytilene, which is the capital of Lesvos Island.

This museum was founded in 1965 by Stratis Eleftheriades. It houses 86 paintings by Theophilos, a local folk painting, that belonged to his personal collection.

Makara is an important archeological site can be found in Apothikes. It took it name from Makareas, the first ruler of ancient Lesbos.

The Municipal Art Gallery is housed in an old typical mansion that belonged to Halim Bey. The gallery hosts one a valuable art collection.

The sanctuary is dedicated to Zeus. It was located close to the north border of the territory of the town of Ancient Pyrra.

Located in the village of Agia Paraskevi, central Lesvos, the Museum of Industrial Olive Oil Production is housed in an old communal olive press. It aims to present the technological development in olive oil production along centuries.

This monastery is located in Madamados, northern Lesvos. It was built in 1700, restored in 1879, and it is dedicated to the saint patron of Lesvos. The tradition says that the icon of Taxiarhes in this church was made of clay and the blood of some monks, slaughtered by pirates in the Medieval times.

This church is dedicated to Saint John the Healer. It is located in the center of Mytilene, the capital of Lesvos. The church is a three-aisled basilica with an impressive architecture of Neoclassical and Renaissance elements. The church was built in the 19th century and has beautiful icons.

The beautiful church of Saint Athanasios is located right in the center of the town of Mytilene and has a remarkable structure. It dates from the 17th century and the bell tower has Gothic elements. This is the Cathedral of Mytilene.