Central and Southern Lesvos

A beautiful, very green side of the island. Olive groves and pines, chestnut, apple and nut trees alternate harmoniously, on the slopes, hillocks and shady valleys. The natural beauty of this port of the island is exceptional, especially during Spring where the trees and flowers are blossoming. With the NW exit as the starting point about 15 km before you reach the intersection which indicates to Yera and Plomari or straight ahead towards Agiassos and Kalloni. Take the road to Yera and enjoy the view of the Gulf as you drive on. You’ll reach the picturesque town of Plomari (40 km) and the charming beach of Aghios Isidoros just outside the town. This area has great tourist development. Modern hotels, quaint coffee shops and original bars along the seafront, create a pleasant environment. Plomari is reknown for its ouzo and this is why it should always accompany your appetizers (mezes).

To the west of Plomari lie “Ammoudeli” and “Melinda” beach, which are excellent for bathing and enjoying a good meal.A fantastic road (10 km) takes you from Plomari to Megalochori - a beautiful mountainous village, which is rightly named “Switzerland” of Lesbos. A further 14 Km of dirt road links Megalochori to Agiassos. It’s worth taking this road full of pines, chestnut, apple, cherry and sour cherry trees whether in Summer or Winter to experience the variety of nature on the island.

The most popular way to get to Agiassos is via the main road artery from Mytilene to the centre of the island, passing through Keramia.

Agiassos is one of the most beautiful, mountainous traditional towns on Lesbos, built on the NE foot of Olympus mountain amidst lush vegetation. Narrow roads, steep cobbled roads. Simple houses which remind you of the by-gone days, with their wooden balconies decorated with a multitude of potted flowers. The town is renown for its Festival of Panaghia (Virgin Mary) on August 15^th. So, if fate should bring you to Mytilene on the eve of the festival, try participating in the local customs. Pilgrims arrive in Agiassos by all means of transport. Indeed many arrive from Mytilene or other villages on foot, enjoying the beautiful nights of August along the way.

A pleasant itinerary would be to set off from Mytilene via the Town’s NW exit. At the intersection take the road pointing to Agiassos. Make a stop at Karini, amidst lush vegetation. Enjoy your coffee under the centurian plane trees with their characteristic hollows. Refresh yourself with the icy cold waters of the area and continue on your way to worship to famous Panaghia of Agiassos.

After that, go back a few kilometres to the crossroads which leads to Polichnitos. Don’t forget to make a stop at the quaint coffee shop in the valley of Aghios (St) Dimitrios and ask for a taste of the traditional pumpkin “kolokithaki” or apple “milaraki” sweet. From this point onward the scenery changes. Pine trees replace olive trees. It’s a pleasant, refreshing trip, and once you cross Lake Minor and Lake Major (nowadays dry) and Vasilika, you’ll reach Polichnitos with its beautiful countryside and seaside looking on to the Gulf of Kalloni. The Gulf is approx. 4 miles and its length is 12 miles. Its anchovies are renown for their sweetness. The Gulf of Kalloni has fine quality shellfish such as “clams”, “cockles” “Noah’s Arcs”. However, the Gulf has been in follows, as a presentative measure taken to protect these species. Nifida and Skala Polichnitos are beautiful beaches which are suitable for swimming and an enjoyable meal. The beaches of Thermes, Piges Polichnitou and Pigi Lisvoriou are also lovely.

From Polichnitos continue on the road to Vrisa until you reach Vatera, with its spotlessly clean sand. Vatera has many summer homes, permanent residences, villas and hotels. Vegetable gardens, vineyards and fruit trees lend a heavenly look to the area. The chapel of Aghios (St) Fokas is located on the west side of the sandy beach. This is where the ancient port lies, the bottom of which is paved with slabs. The central aisle of a palaiochristian Basilica was discovered at the site where the chapel of Aghios Fokas stands today. Marble architectural fixtures of a temple dedicated to Dionysos were found in the walls of the Basilica. Today, there is a small fishing port and quaint coffee shops with fresh fish served daily at the Aghios Fokas location.

The coasts of this side of the island are beautiful, full of craggy rocks as well as spotless sandy beaches. If you have a boat, you’ll enjoy sailing through areas such as Drota - a fishing village with an excellent beach. Make sure you don’t pass by “Kryfi Panaghia” (i.e. Hidden Virgin Mary) without realising it, as it’s very well sheltered.