LesvosThe island of ouzo and olive trees

Countless beauties, dramatic sceneries, and lunar landscapes, dominated by castles, noble mansions, olive groves, and fantastic beaches: this is Lesvos, famous as the home of ouzo and a world-famous petrified forest.

As you approach Lesvos, you will be greeted by its diverse landscape and breathtaking scenery. The island is blessed with lush green mountains, fertile valleys, and a rugged coastline that stretches for miles; the perfect birthplace of Sappho and Alcaeus poets.

Start your exploration with Mytilene, the capital of Lesvos, which displays its handsome old buildings along the waterfront, crowned by the Franko-Byzantine castle rising out of pinewood on the hill behind. Wander through the narrow streets, visit the impressive Castle of Mytilene, discover the archaeological museum, which houses a collection of artifacts that span thousands of years, and venture to the ancient ruins of the Roman Aqueduct and the sanctuary of Mesa, where you can step back in time and imagine life in Ancient Greece.

From there, cross to Molyvos village to admire its unparalleled beauty with its traditional wooden houses and the castle of Myhtimna, and then head to Plomari, the “Capital of Ouzo,” to discover the numerous ouzo factories.

Visit the village of Sigri to learn about the fascinating Petrified Forest, one of the undoubted highlights of Lesvos and one of the very few places in the world where you can see trees lying where they fell millions of years ago. Take the time to visit the ‘park,’ declared a Protected Natural Monument in 1985, and the adjacent museum, where you’ll learn about the island’s intriguing geology.

The island is a heaven for birdwatchers, as more than 252 species of birds find refuge in Lesvos’ Kalloni wetlands, ranking Lesvos among Europe’s ten most important habitats for avian diversity and rarity.

Don’t miss the chance to relax at the thermal springs of Eftalous, located between the brushwood-covered rocks, geological sculptures emerging from the sea. The water from the spring emerges from underwater springs at a temperature of 43.6-46.5 degrees Celsius and is renowned for its therapeutic properties.