3. biggest island of Greece is waiting to be discovered. It takes 8-10 hours from Greece with ferry but there is an airport in Mytilene so you can choose a flight from Athens or some other points of europe. Also it is much more easier o reach the island from Turkey- Ayvalık port with ferry. With fast ferries return 35 euro and it takes 35 min. You can prefer ferries with cars or not. If you prefer Turyol Tourism you can buy a ticket return 30 euro and there is a discount 5 euro on the internet. This company brings you to the island in 1.5 hour. Summertime there are ferries both in the morning and evenning. We preffered not to bring our car with us because of the time killing paper work and oppotunity to rent a car in the island. IGFA was our choice and we were satisfied by the service.
Plan your Mytilene trip including stay at least 2 days because there are lots to see. You can pick a nice hotel for 50 euro per day.
Pamfila
There are couple of main routes in Mytilene. We don’t recommend to leave these roads because the others can be very rocky and deserted. We followed the northern road from the capital Mytilene and stopped at Olivewood House which sells interesting staff made with olive trees.
On the way to Thermi from Pamfila you will see people swimming just next to toad. Join them! This a perfect place for a break and there is also shower at this stop, don’T miss it:)
Skamia
While you are getting close to Molyvos, you will see a village named Skamia on the hills. There is a tavern called Rematia with a wonderful view. (Phone: 2253055342) Even if you are hot hungry, drink something or eat a Greek salad in here.
Molyvos
It is one of the most touristic cities of island. Molyvos has a nice see but the most beautiful thing that this city will serve you is a sunset at the Molyvos castle . View is amazing and there are lovely cafes on the top. Remember that if you want to visit the inside of castle you should go there btw 8.30 pm- 3 pm exept from monday.
While walking down from castle to the port for dinner, hang around in the old markets and buy a mastic liqueur.
Petra
Petra is the other touristi city but a cute seaside village at the same time. Petra and Molyvos is 10 min far from each other with car so you can stay at one of them and visit the other easily. However our recomendation is spending more time in Molyvos.
Kalloni
Kalloni is in the southern part of the island and there was a surpise waiting for us! We saw 2 dolphins jumping in the see:) Kalloni is located in a gulf so the see has no waves at all. However because of the same reason the water is not so clear when you compare to the other seaside cities of Mytilene.
Like other spots of the island Kalloni has organised beaches with free entrence and free sunbeds. They just want you to order some drinks or foon in return. We really loved this system it was really friendly. We prefered element beach bar. To have an idea about prices: a cup of coffee is 2euro and a beer 3 euro. If you prefer beer try the famous Greek brand Mythos 🙂
Plomari
Plomari is the the4 last point in the south of island. While you are on the road to here, you can visit Uzo factory.
Plomari is a perfect place to watch the sunset but if you want to swim you have to try Agios Isidoros 5 min away from the center.
Mytilene
Mytilene is the capital of the island and it is a developed city. 2 missions in here is visiting the castle and a dinner in of the taverns. (If you prefer a tavern with live music you will have much more fun)
Castle: Up to a point, you can walk through the walls of castle for free but to be able to see the top the fee is 2 euro. It is guaranteed that you will capture the best photos of the city from the top of the castle. We also saw some concert preperations and it can be very interesting to join an event in the walls of this castle.
Interesting Fact:
You will see small churches on the road with flowers, candles and pictures in it. This is a tradition of Greece and they are made for the peope who died in a car accident at that point. We recognised that in Mytilene because many people died in the accidents because some of the the roads are very crooked. After learning that we started to drive more carefully.
Bonus Trip: Oliveoil Factory Museum Trip
There are some oliveoil factories in the island but we have chosen the one “Vrana” in Papados. It is opened in 1887 and not active anymore. However you can visit all the factory and get information about how was the production in the past. It will be a nice cultural trip and you will enjoy to try some local oliveoil after the tour and you may buy abottle if you want.
You can watch a short video that we prepared from here to have an idea about Mytilene. Enjoy! 🙂
