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Sightseeing in Lemnos

The heart of Lemnos beats in picturesque Myrina. The island’s capital and main port. Myrina includes two settlements, Tsas in Turkish Gialos (seashore) and Androni in Romeikos Gialos (seashore), which are separated by a peninsula. On the Turkish side - the southernmost shore in Myrina - stroll through the maze of cobblestone streets in the area of picturesque old houses and small cafés with well-tended courtyards. Romeikos Gialos has a unique air of nobility and has been declared protected with its granite and stone-paved paths and 19th century mansions with façades clad in Lemnian ash-grey that give it a unique air of nobility. These mansions were built by wealthy Lemnians who had excelled in Egypt, and most of which have now been converted into guest houses and rooms for rent. Take an afternoon stroll along Myrina’s seaside promenade and as dusk begins to fall sip a drink or enjoy some fresh fish below the illuminated Castle that towers above.

Climb to the Myrina Fortress, the largest fort in the Aegean, dating back to 1186. Built on a steep and rocky peninsular with particularly high walls on the eastern and southern side and several towers, the well-preserved Fortress is open to the public.

Visit Ancient Hephaestia, located to the north east of the island, which was the main town of ancient Lemnos, and where you can admire the fully-restored Hellenistic – Roman amphitheatre. Hephaestia was the largest city in Lemnos in antiquity. It took its name from the god Hephaestus, since according to mythology this is where he kept his workshop and where he taught Lemnians the art of metalworking. Findings from the site indicate that the area was continually inhabited from the late Bronze Age to the Byzantine era. You can get to the archaeological site by car.
Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. except Mondays.

Opposite Hephaestia is the Cabeirian Sanctuary, a complex of buildings where the famous Cabeirian mysteries were held. The Cabeiri were the sons of Hephaestus born to Cabeiro and are considered the protectors of metalworkers Below the sanctuary in the sea you can visit the famous ‘’Cave of Philoctetes’’. Mythology has it that Philoctetes had been taken there by his companions after being bitten by a snake in hopes that the Terra Lemnia (‘’Lemnian clay’’) would heal him.

History-lovers should definitely stop in at the Lemnos Archaeological Museum to view important findings from the excavations that have taken place on the island including pottery and household items used by the ancient Lemnians in their daily life, tombstones, statues, tools, coins and gold jewelry, objects from the Cabeirian Sanctuary, and much more.
Address: Romeikos Gialos, Myrina, tel.: +30 22540 22990

The Alyki Wetland of Lemnos is located in the northeast part of the island, an expanse of over 650-hectares of unique natural beauty bordered by three lakes: Alyki, Chortarolimni and Asprolimni. Many migrating birds stop off in the area for the winter including flocks of pink flamingos, which is why it is classified in the NATURA 2000 network.

The Sand Dunes of Lemnos, otherwise known as the Sahara of Greece: One of the most fascinating elements of the environment in Lemnos are the Sand dunes with their fine golden sand, which can be seen in the north-west part of the island, 3 km from the village of Katalakos. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that these sand-dunes are not in coastal areas, but in the inner part of the island. This expanse of sand with its golden dunes and low vegetation is referred to by the locals as "Thick Beaches". The area is only accessible by car up to a certain point. Afterwards you will have to continue on foot. It is said that this was the setting for some scenes from the Greek film made in 1971, ‘’A Greek woman in the harem’’.
Address: Romeikos Gialos, Myrina, tel.: +30 22540 22990

Things to do in Lemnos

Lovers of thermal baths can visit the organised spa in Therma, at the foot of Profitis Ilias mountain. The ancient spring is located at the edge of a large, geological rift in the ground where the water gushes up at 44 °C, all year round. The facilities have undergone a radical facelift and now feature individual baths and an outdoor Canadian tub where you can enjoy some hydrotherapy or a relaxing massage and other beauty treatments. The spa is open all year round from 10:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m.

Setting off from Myrina, you can venture out to neighbouring local villages such as Kontias, Kaspakas and Thanos, all of which are particularly beautiful and considered open-air museums of traditional architecture.

Wine-lovers can visit one of the island’s open wineries, to discover local labels.

Don’t miss the 14th century chapel of Panagia Kakaviotisa, built under a rocky outcrop in Thanos. The chapel was named after the mountain it lies on, Kakavo.

Beaches

Surf lovers from Greece, the Balkans and beyond, get together on Keros beach that is good for wind surfing, beach volley, and also for camping. It is a very-easily accessible, 4-kilometre-long beach on the eastern side of Lemnos, some areas of which have amenities with beach bars, sunbeds and umbrellas. With its shallow waters and sand dunes it is ideal for children, families as well as anyone who wants to try their hand at windsurfing for the first time.

In Myrina, you can swim at the beach of the settlement of Romeikos Gialos or at Richa Nera. Nearby is the pristine beach of Avlonas with clear waters and fine sand.

Two of the most popular beaches are Platy and Thanos, with volcanic rocks and turquoise waters.

Also lovely are the beaches of Agios Ioannis, Gomati, Nevgatis or Zematas, Fanaraki in Moudros with a colony of monk seals, Kokkina, Chavouli and Neftina.

In the north, you will find the beaches of Agios Ermolaos, Kotsinas and Plaka, as well as the more isolated and particularly beautiful Parthenomitos.

Food

Despite its rocky landscape, Lemnos is a fertile island, with products of exceptional quality.

Try the flomaria (local pasta), aromatic pies with greens and pumpkin, delicious Venizelika chocolate fondants, with their particular history, Samsades pastries, mouth-watering Katimeria pancakes, pure and healthy halva, and select salt-cured fish.

Lemnos is also known for its cheese, including ‘’salamoura’’ as well as kalathaki (which is aged in baskets made of green sedge grass).

Lemnos is famous for its wines, one of which is the charismatic Muscat of Alexandria grape variety grown on the island and used to make an award-winning mellow wine. A fine red variety known since antiquity as "Lemnio" and now marketed as Kalampaki was recently added to Lemnos' special wine collection.

With its unique landscape, wonderful nature, amazing flavours and centuries-old history, Lemnos is an undiscovered place, with particular value in the Aegean. Book cheap airline tickets for Lemnos with Olympic Air and get to know the island of Hephaestus with the leading Greek carrier.

Transport from the airport

You will land at Lemnos ‘’Hephaestus’’ National airport, which is located 22 km east of Myrina, the capital of Lemnos. You can get around from the airport by regional buses, or taxi from the rank outside the airport. The airport also has a car rental agency.