Lesvos: Things to see!

Lesvos has been blessed with many superb beaches.  Just a few worth mentioning include Skala Eressos and Vatera on the south coast; Molyvos, Petra, and Eftalou, with its hot springs, on the north coast; and Sigri to the west, Antissa and Gavatha on the northwest coast.  If time permits, you can also explore Golden Beach, Anaxos, and the quiet and secluded Baloutsas Beach.  Mytiline Beach is the only one on the island that charges an entrance fee.

 

Suffer from any diseases or painful ailments?  Want to be cured?  Then you MUST visit the Spas and Thermal Mineral Baths of Lesvos!

 

Cure chronic rheumatism, arthritis, skin diseases, sciatica of the hip joint, illnesses of the uterus and general gynecological diseases, as well as lymphatic problems, neuralgia, hypertension, and kidney and gall stones. 

 

Polychnitou:  Staying in Vatera, you can easily come here daily.  Polychnitou is a healing spring.  The hottest in all in Europe.  There are 5 mineral springs here, but only 3 are used —one by the municipality with one privately owned bath.  The baths are surrounded by stone ruins and running streams.  There are 2 pools, male and female, in the main bath house.  Nearby you can also visit the hot springs of Lisvori which help to heal rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, gynecological problems, as well as dermatological ailments. 

 

Eftalou:  Near Molyvos, with newly renovated bath houses with both communal and private tubs available.  Here you can also sit by the shore where the hot mineral water seeps down through the rocks into small pools mixing with the sea water, for a truly unforgettable Aedipsos-like experience.  This Hot Spring area is not recommended for those who are handicapped or have difficulty walking, due to the fact that the road leading to the entrance is truly difficult to navigate.

 

Skala Thermi:  These baths have been in use since ancient times.  They offer the same therapeutic benefits as the other baths, but have also been known to help chronic bronchial problems, including the pharynx and Eustachian tubes, when inhaled.  The mineral properties found at Skala Thermi will also help those with circulatory problems and paralysis, as well as cardiac problems such as hardening of the arteries.  You should also visit the ancient baths, now closed to the public. 

 

Thermi on Yera:  Largest on the island and recently renovated to their original design.  They are on the Gulf of Yera, and it is believed the ancient Queen of the gods, Hera, had a Temple in her honor built at this site.  These baths also offer assistance in all ailments mentioned above, as well as for intestinal diseases and sugar diabetes.  There are separate baths for men and women here, and you can enjoy swimming in a very large old marble bathtub …very relaxing indeed!

 

Cold Water Springs:  Karini - Near Agiassos.  Should not be missed for its cold clean water that rises up from the ground and into a stone pool, which then empties into a stream that waters the valley below.  

 

Of the many museums on the island, the following are definitely worth a visit:

 

Theophilos Museum

Teriade Library and Museum of Modern Art

Archaeological Museum of Mytilini

The Ecclesiastical-Byzantine Museum

The Folk Art Museum

The Old Lesvos House

The Museum of Costume and Embroidery of Lesvos

The Gogo Museum of Vatoussa

The Archaeological Museums of Eressos

Museum of Natural History.

Barbayannis Ouzo Museum—in the village of Plomari, where the famous Plomari Ouzo comes from. 

The Petrified Forest and the Natural History Museum:  One of the newest and one of the best museums on the island. 

 

 

Historical castles and ancient sites abound on the island.  Our list below mentions the most interesting areas to explore: 

 

The Castle at Molyvos

The Castle on the north side of Mytiline

The Roman Aqueduct at Moria

The Christian Temple of Chalinados

The Bridge at Kremasti

The Ancient Theater in Mytiline

The Yeni Mosque

Ancient Antissa; Sigri; Klopedi, and Messa

The Church of Saint Andrew

Ancient Pyrra, one of the five ancient cities of Lesvos.  Remains from an early earthquake can still be seen here.

 

Just a few of the many Monasteries and churches that we think are worth noting include Glykofylousa Panagia (The Virgin Mary of the Sweet Kiss); the Leimonos Monastery; the Monastery of Agiou Raphael; the Church of the Panagia; the Ypsilou Monastery, near the Petrified Forest; the Perivoli Monastery; Pithari; the Church of Saint Andrew; the Cathedral of Saint Athanasios; Saint Therapon, the largest church in Mytiline; and Panagia Tis Gorgonas or Panagia Ton Psaradon.