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Lesbos is the third largest of the Greek islands
Lesbos (or Lesvos as it is also called) belongs to the euphoria of the northeastern Aegean islands. The island is located in the northern corner of the Aegean sea.
Lesbos is the third largest of the Greek islands, Its area is 1630 km², and its coastline is 370 kilometers long. The island has approx. 90,000 inhabitants. Thanks to the climate and the lush soil, nature is very luxuriant with pine and oak forests, olive groves, orchards and lots of good agricultural land. The mountains provide a wonderfully hilly terrain, and the many hot springs lure with stunning, natural spas.
“You can see hundreds of river turtles in the river”
We were not impressed with the much-featured “fossilized forest” on the western part of the island. On the west coast there are long golden sandy beaches, and by the town of Skala Eresos a river flows into the sea, where you can see hundreds of river turtles in the river. They can even be hand fed if you think that would be fun.
In Eresos, the female poet Sapho was born in a distant past (year 630). Sapho was lesbian and it was definitely not recognized at that time. Saphos poems were about love for other women. Sapho later committed life suicide by throwing himself out of a cliff on the island of Lefkas. Sapho is the cause of the island’s name “Lesvos” (Lesbian) and the city is still a popular holiday destination for lesbian women.
“Molivos which is a very nice greek city”
We experienced Lesbos as a lovely island, with lots of authentic Greek charm. Here is plenty of space and there is no problem finding your own private beach if you wish. We lived in the city of Anaxos which is a small resort town not far from neighboring petra.
Anaxos was a nice place with a long sandy beach and lots of good taverns with exceptionally good food. In fact, we experienced Lesbos as one of the best islands we have visited in terms of quality of food. From Anaxos, there is a walking distance to the neighboring town of Petra. For example, you can walk along the beach. Petra is a lovely town with nice streets where several places are completely overgrown with flowering plants. Here are lots of city life and cafe life. Petra is blah. Known for its church, located a little special on a high cliff in the middle of the city. If you continue along the coastal road you reach the city of Molivos which is a very nice Greek city. The city is protected because of its beautiful old stone houses. An absolutely lovely place and probably the most photographed city on the whole island.
A small trip to the small fishing village Skala Skimeneas on the north coast is also recommended. Little nice fishing village.
“The beach is called “the red beach” because of its red rocks and red sand”
From Skala Skimeneas you can travel through several small authentic mountain villages off the coast to the east. Feel free to stop at one of them and visit the small bakery of the city, where you can only bake some bread in the old wood-burning stove. Good robust quality that can feed a whole Greek family for a week (-: Or a few hungry tourists on the beach for a day 
The trip can continue to the remote Tsonia beach. The beach is located in a large bay with almost stagnant water. The beach is also called “the red beach” because of its red rocks and red sand. On the beach there is a small primitive tavern and a little settlement. If you’re lucky to come on the days when the tour boat from Molivos is not there, it’s an amazing place. Can be highly recommended. We were there twice on our vacation and drove both times therefrom from the morning time — no tourist boats (-:
The capital of Lesbos is called Mytilini (as the island is sometimes called) and is close to the airport on the southeastern part of the island. The city is a real Greek metropolis with lots of shops. We still wonder that every third store in a Greek metropolis is a shoe shop. They must go very Greeks (-: (-: Mytilini is also a busy port city. Most recommended if you want to shop, otherwise it is a little chaotic.
On the southern part of the island is the cozy tourist town of Plomari, which we unfortunately did not visit. Plomari should also be a nice and popular place.
We would strongly recommend renting a car during the holiday, as you cannot see the little gold grains found around the island. One can possibly. Consider reserving a car for delivery at the airport, as it saves the often-expensive transfer to the travel company if there is a charter. Traveling on your own I would say car hire is a necessity as there are vast distances on the island.
If we are to make a short summary of Lesvos, it will be positive for the most part.
It is very authentic Greek.
You get amazing good food.
There is plenty of space and not too many tourists.
Many opportunities to explore exciting little towns and beaches, as well as try the ancient thermal baths.
You can find your own little beach if you wish.
There is beautiful nature. Both rugged and on the north coast lush. The center of the island is not so pretty, here is a large quarry, but also agricultural areas. On the trip to the north you will also pass the big salt lakes, where you can be lucky to see flamingos.
The beaches are good and there are many of them. However, we have seen more nice little bathing huts on other of the smaller Greek islands.
In recent years there have been problems with too many migrants who sail over to Lesvos from Turkey. There is still a large refugee camp at the capital of Mytilini, but the amount of living there is far less than the problem was the greatest in 2016. We have never experienced problems or seen migrants / refugees on the islands we have visited in recent years and have remained close to turkey It has been Samos, Kos and Kalymnos.
We will definitely return to Lesvos one day in the future.
View more photos from Lesbos on instagram #KruseTravel.dk