MOLYVOS (MITHIMNA)
A beautiful traditional settlement with its small picturesque harbor and the stone houses, climbed around the imposing Byzantine castle. It is a tourist destination with local and foreign visitors arriving there every year to enjoy the region’s beauties, the idyllic landscape and the restfulness which emits. During summer, the castle of Molyvos hosts many cultural events, such as the Molyvos International Music Festival and Arion International Guitar Festival. Wander in the picturesque alleys of the settlement, enjoy your dessert and coffee at the coffee shops climbed on the slope over the sea and admire the wonderful sunset. If you love outdoor activities, you have the opportunity to explore the natural beauties of the region through hiking and biking trails, horse riding or yoga. Nearby settlements to Molyvos are Vafeios, on the fringe of Mount Lepetymnos with a wonderful view, Argenos, a mountain village with the stone paved square and its traditional coffee shops and Lepetymnos found at a distance of 3 km after a beautiful route of lush vegetation. You can also enjoy your swim at the beach of Molyvos or on the sandy Psiriara, a little bit further to Petra or at the wonderful beach of Eftalou and combine thermal baths with a refreshing swim at the sea.
PETRA
Its landmark is the rock of about 40m height prevailing at the centre of the settlement. At its top the church of Panagia Glykofyloussa (Sweet-kissing Mary) is built. If you go up to the 114 steps to reach it, the view from up there will reward you. Do not miss to visit the Vareltzidaina Mansion, one of the few saved mansions of Lesvos of the late 18th early 19th c.
In Petra, you will find a variety of tourist accommodation, tavernas, cafes and a wonderful organised beach ideal for diving and swimming sports, or for coffee and relaxing next to the sea. If you want to discover the underwater beauties of the region you can dive or just make a boat ride at the nearby islets. From here you can also take a sea voyage to the Turkish coasts that are opposite.
SYKAMINIA
Sykamnia, birth pace of the famous writer Stratis Myrivilis, is a picturesque village with stone houses and stone paved alleys, overlooking the sea and the opposite coasts. Its haven is Skala Sykaminias, a pretty fishing village, at the small harbor of which you can taste delicious fish dishes. The region’s landmark is the small church of Panagia Gorgona (Virgin the Mermaid) on a rock near the sea.i
LAFIONAS – STYPSI– YPSILOMETOPO – SKOUTAROS
For those who like hiking this is a very good way to meet these villages from close, since the surrounding landscape offers beautiful hiking routes. Between two hills you will meet the village of Lafionas, while the mountain villages Stypsi and Ypsilometopo with the traditional stone houses, the stone paved alleys and the picturesque coffee shops remind the visitor villages of the mainland. Skoutaros is the biggest of these villages, it has a long tradition in music and its haven is Anaxos one of the most beautiful organised sandy beaches of the island.
