Where are the most islands in Europe? In Greece there are apparently no fewer than 1,200, some say up to 6,000 specimens of all sizes, scattered along the coasts. And a total of 227 are inhabited all year round, with most of them also seeing an influx of tourists during the summer season.
Of course, everyone knows or has heard of Crete (the largest island), Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu and Rhodes, which are the most famous and visited. Aside from that, we have to add a whole bunch of others that are less “known” (although…) that deserve just as much, if not more, a visit…
Today we continue to the northeast of the Aegean to the island of Lesbos.
The island of the ancient poet Sappho
This is the third largest island in Greece near Turkey, also known by the name of its capital Mytilini. But also today in a completely different area with its refugee camps.
Lesbos, the island of the ancient poet Sappho, still offers its visitors a good mix of genres, both cultural and natural. You can admire its historical remains and its rich architectural heritage, especially in the capital, and discover its small mountains, its pine forests and its olive fields, its hot springs, its beaches and even its petrified forest.
These six must-see places on Lesbos
The Petrified Forest
These are 15,000 hectares in the west of the island where we can see many trunks of sequoias and other trees that were petrified after a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. The place is somewhat reminiscent of the Petrified Forest site in Arizona.
Molyvos
Built on a hill between the sea and the imposing walled fortress, this village is one of the most charming on the island. In addition, the panorama of the surrounding area from above is really magnificent.
Iera Moni Limonos Monastery
Somewhat lost in nature, not far from the town of Kalloni, this 16th century monastery consists of a group of small chapels and churches scattered around the main building.
Mount Olympus
Together with its counterpart Lepetymnos, Mount Olympus is the highest point on the island of Lesbos. Both are at an altitude of 968 meters and are destinations for hiking enthusiasts, offering a beautiful panorama for some and hot springs to discover for others.
Mytilene
Mytilene, the capital and largest city of Lesbos with 30,000 inhabitants, has an interesting architecture with its alleys dating back to the Byzantine period, its beautiful residences, the cathedral, the bell tower of the church of Aghios Athanassios, the various mosques and the Ruins of its imposing castle that dominates the city or its museums, including the archaeological museum, which remains the most interesting.
Petra
This village in the north of Lesbos is worth a detour for its cobbled streets and beautiful houses, including Vareltzidena, which remains a fine example of a huge Ottoman-era building. And then in Petra there is also the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is perched on a rock and offers a wonderful view of the city and the neighboring beaches.
The Northeast Aegean Islands
These islands between Greece and the coasts of northwestern Turkey are not necessarily among the most visited in the country. This is perhaps why they remain more authentic and each have their own peculiarities and character.
Of the dozens of islands and islets that make up this part of the Greek islands, we generally keep the eight main islands: the imposing Chios, the Fourni archipelago, Ikaria (huge but sparsely populated), Lemnos, Lesbos (third largest island in the archipelago ). country and close to Turkey), Samos (quite touristy) and Samothrace and Thassos, which are the furthest north.
> Info: www.lesvos.com