Mytilene

Mytilene is the capital of Lesvos, an impressive city with palatial houses and plethora of Museums. Do not miss a walk in the alleys of the old Agora with the traditional shops.

Molyvos - Mythimna

Taking a stroll in the alleys of this romantic village is a must for anyone coming to Lesvos. While walking you can admire the medieval castle that lies above you, where many activities are held, while you can enjoy the sea view from below.

Petra

A small village close to Molyvos with a great sandy beach and a huge rock standing out with a small church on its top. Climbing the approximately 100 stairs is definitely no picnic, but the fantastic view is more than rewarding.

Stone Forest Park

Actually a bit far from Sigri, stranded in the middle of nowhere, lies the world famous Stone Forest of Lesvos. If you are expecting to actually see a forest, you will be disappointed. When the volcano erupted many trees were buried under the ground and after hundreds of thousands of years they were fossilized. The end result is visually very impressive, as you can see every detail of the tree turned to stone. The tallest tree-trunk is 7 meters high with a diameter of 2,5 meters, which makes for a great picture.

Stone Forest Museum

After visiting the Stone Forest, a visit to the cool air-conditioned Museum in Sigri is exactly what you need. The museum is new and well-preserved, and there you can get to learn the history behind the Stone Forest. A lot of fossils from all over Lesvos are exhibited here as well.

Archaeological Museum of Lesvos - Mytilene

Actually there are two Archaeological Museum in Mytilene, the old one and the new one, which are very close each other. The new Archaeological Museum is new and modern with a lot of space. The old one is completely different, but both of them are worth visiting. In the old Museum you can see the only aeolic chapiter that has been saved.

Folklore Museum of Lesvos - Mytilene

It is situated in the harbor, next to the taxi stop. There you will get a taste of how life was on Lesvos during the past. Make sure you call first before you go, as it may be closed most of the day.

Lesvos Museum of Industrial Olive-Oil Production

The aim of the Lesvos Industrial Olive Oil Museum is to present the industrial phase of olive oil production in Greece.

The Museum is housed in the old communal olive press of Agia Paraskevi on the island of Lesvos. The buildings and the mechanical equipment have been restored in an exemplary fashion. Thus, you can observe how the equipment functions and how the factory evolved from steam power to diesel engine operation. At the same time, you will acquaint yourselves with daily life at the «People's Machine».

In the main building, you will familiarize yourselves with the basic stages of olive-oil production: crushing the olives, compressing the olive pulp and separating the olive oil from the water. You will also see the flourmill, which functioned in a complementary manner during the summer months when the olive press was out of use.

In the old storage rooms for olives, you will discover the work cycle relating to the production of olive oil:
- The cultivation and care of the olive tree
- The production of sub-products (olive-pomace, kernel oil, soap)
- The marketing and distribution of olive oil in Greece and abroad
- Professions and activities linked to the production of olive oil.

Lastly, you will learn the history of the «People's Machine», the communal olive press of Agia Paraskevi and realize how pioneering for its times the process of communal property was and what its repercussion was on the region's social fabric and economic structures.

Young visitors will hear the factory's μπουρού whistle, calling the workmen to work. They will watch the machines in operation and will find digital productions showing the stages of olive-oil production («From the Olive to Oil» and «From Water to Water»). They will play with the multimedia application «The People's Machine», learning about the functioning of the factory's machinery. Also, they will better understand how the quality of olive oil is checked by carrying out an acidimetry experiment.

Taxiarhis Church - Mantamados

The church of Taxiarhis (Archangel Michael) in Mantamados is one of the most important attractions of Lesvos. The icon of Archangel Michael is said to have been created with mud and the blood of monks. It is also quiet unique to see the iron shoes that are brought to the Archangel by the people.

Saint Raphael's Monastery

This is one of the most important monasteries which attracts thousands of people each year.

Ypsilou Monastery

Heading east, after the intersection where you go either to Sigri or to Eressos, on the road to Sigri a very small detour is enough to reach the Holy Monastery of Ypsilos. The imposing 8th century castle-monastery is beautiful and well-kept with many flowers, and it even offers an excellent panoramic view. Inside the monastery there is also a small ecclesiastical museum where the monks will give you a tour.

Holy Monastery of Pythario

In a distinct and beautiful landscape, thanks to the small artificial lake, is the Holy Monastery of Pythario. The area around the lake is a green oasis, as the wider area is wild and barren.
The monastery hosts a folklore and a ecclesiastical collection with artifacts of unique value. The monastery is accessible by a passable dirt road but make sure i is open before coming (usually open 10:00-15:00 except Sundays), as there are no permanent monks in the monastery.

Panagia Gorgona

At Skala Sykamnias you will find a little church built on a rock by the sea. This is the church called by people Panagia Gorgona, with means Virgin Mary the Mermaid, named after one of the most important greek novels as it saw this church inspired the writer.

Karini

On the way to Agiasos, at some point, you will see Karini on your right hand. It is a beautiful verdant location with huge trees, a river with ducks, a little bridge and a tavern. The main attraction here is the huge cavity in the gigantic plane tree where Theofilos the painter used to come. It is a worthwhile experience to enter the cavity, which is much larger than you may imagine. You need to be careful because it is very easy to bypass Karini without even realizing it.