What to see in Lesbos Island, the homeland of Sappho

Maybe it's because looking at it you can still hear ancient verses echoing, maybe it's because its history is incredible and lost in the mists of time, maybe it's because we can admire the remains of that past, maybe it's because the landscapes are breathtaking and the culture alive, but the island of Lesbos is truly one of those destinations not to be missed in Greece. Because here you can truly experience a dream vacation.

There are so many things to do and see , including breathtaking beaches, artistic, architectural and landscape beauties and experiences worth living.

Everything you need to know about Lesvos Island to plan your next memorable vacation.

Where is Lesbos Island: useful information

Among the largest islands in Greece , Lesbos is located in the northeastern Aegean Sea, near Turkey . It is large , the third largest in this European country, and has a very long coastline, which extends for about 459 kilometers.

It is very easy to reach both by plane, with internal flights from different locations in Greece, and by ship. And it can undoubtedly become an incredible stop if you decide to plan a vacation in Greece. For many different reasons.

Starting from culture , in fact this land gave birth to the poetess Sappho and the poet Alcaeus, both fundamental representatives of archaic Greek lyric poetry. Then it passed under the dominion of the Byzantine Empire, with various vicissitudes, until the Genoese dominion and then to the Ottoman one. Signs of this long history can be admired on its territory.

Beaches to reach on the island of Lesbos

The entire coast of the island of Lesbos is characterized by numerous beaches (which in Greece are crazy ) that have different characteristics: from the large sandy ones to the small coves to be discovered, all perfect for spending an incredible day and with the sensation of being in a real earthly paradise.

Among the most famous is the beach of Skala Eressou : with coarse-grained sand, it is full of services and very large, the ideal place to dedicate yourself to water sports. Also superb is the beach of Agios Isidoros, with its wonderful water: it is located near the village of Plomari . Or Vatera, which extends for eight kilometers and is sandy, convenient because it is located only 55 kilometers from Mytilini, the capital of the island. Or – again – the beach of Petra, sandy and with crystal clear waters: it is located along the northern coast of the island.

Finally, Kaya beach , still in the northern area: it is not equipped, but there are services such as showers, changing rooms and toilets and bins. It is very clean and is one of those that is worth reaching and experiencing for an unforgettable day.

What to see: the treasures of the island of Lesbos

This Greek island hides many treasures, starting from its urban centers that preserve architecture that traces its ancient and varied history . Like the capital Mytilini , where you can admire – for example – the Byzantine castle built on ancient ruins, or the ancient theater that can be traced back to the Hellenistic era. Its riches are many and include museums, churches, a mosque and the old city.

Among the towns that are worth visiting are Molyvos, with its Genoese fortress , and the village of Eressou. The poetess Sappho and Theophrastus were born in the latter; to discover it, just head to the south-western coast of the island.

Among the other attractions not to be missed is, without a doubt , the Roman aqueduct of Moria : just 6 kilometers from the island's capital, it seems to date back to the end of the 2nd century. It is imposing and is a wonderful remnant of a distant past, as well as being a remarkable engineering feat.

Then there is the Monastery of Limonos , Orthodox, which seems to have been founded in 1526 on the ruins of a previous religious building from the Byzantine era. It includes – among other things – the monks' cells, an oil mill, the ecclesiastical museum and about 42 chapels. There are also valuable frescoes.

On the western side of the island of Lesbos, there is a place that – at first glance – could seem like magic. It is the Petrified Forest : it extends over an area of ​​about 15 thousand acres and here you can admire petrified trunks. It is a very important and extremely fascinating geological monument. In particular, the Sigri park is worth mentioning, which extends over an area of ​​about 30 hectares.

What to do on the island

There is no shortage of things to do on the Greek island , in addition to visiting the beaches unbeatable activity in Greece , the cities and its many wonders, in fact you can plan different activities . Like those related to wellness, in fact here there is no shortage of thermal springs with variety of water and temperature. It is worth discovering them, for example reaching those of Argenos along the coast, or going to Kryfti in the southern part of the island.

And then this place is the ideal place for hiking, biking, bird watching and tasting the incredible tastes of Greek cuisine . Among the local products we can mention Ouzo, wine, olive oil but also fish and cheese.

In short, a place for everyone: families, singles, for those looking for an authentic place rich in culture, but also for those who do not disdain a liveliness that conquers.

The island of Lesbos is one of the unmissable destinations for a holiday in Greece featuring a dream sea, beaches for all tastes and a culture that has its roots in ancient history.