Wanderer Issue 5 - Summer 2024 :: LESVOS EDITION

WELCOME TO OUR FAVOURITE GREEK ISLAND!

CONTENTS

PAGE 7

LESVOS, MY HEART

From north to south, east to west, the tourism on Lesvos continually grows every year with something for every traveller.

PAGE 18

WANDERER TOP FAVES

FYH’s top favourites around the islandhotels, tavernas, artisans, museums & galleries, beaches & historical sites.

PAGE 9

ISLAND DESTINATIONS

Mytilene, Plomari, Kalloni, Eressos, Sigri, Antissa, Petra, Molyvos, Mandamados and others.

PAGE 89

GET LOCAL SPOTLIGHTS & FEATURES

Interviews with local shop owners from Mytilene & Plomari...their stories, tips, favorite places on Lesvos and why.

PANAGIA KRIFTI

EPANO SKALA MYTILENE

LESVOS, MY HEART

Lesvos - the third largest Greek island in the North Aegean Sea, home to almost 100,000 beautiful people and one of my favourite summer destinations!

The growing popularity of Lesvos as a Greek island destination has been on a steady incline and there’s no question why.

From its beautiful landscapes of sea & mountains, quaint villages & authentic Greek culture, unique cuisine & to artists of all kinds, Lesvos will satisfy any curious traveller and there is literally something for everyone and something new for you to do every single day!

Lesvos has it all - for every traveller, any age.

With an international airport, ports for ferries from Athens and as well as ferry to the Turkish coastal town of Ayvalik year-round, Lesvos is growing from a summer destination to a destination for all seasons.

Welcome to Lesvos - the Greek island I call home. Come visit us!

Tracey Heppner Wanderer-in-Chief

PAGE SEVEN | WANDERER

ISLAND DESTINATIONS

Lesvos is FILLED with destinations for you to explore. You could see and do something different every day of your vacation here.

Let’s start from the south and work our way clockwise around this gorgeous island!

PLOMARI

Location: South Lesvos

Highlights: Panagia Krifti, Ouzo

Distillery Museums, Watersports

Beaches: Agios Isidoros

Location: West Lesvos

Highlights: Hot Springs

Beaches: Nyfida, Skala Polichnitos, Vatera

ISLAND DESTINATIONS

AGIASOS

Location: South Lesvos

Highlights: Traditional Village,

KALLONI

Location: West Lesvos, Kalloni Bay

Highlights: Sardine Festival, Salt Pans, Birdwatching

Beaches: Skala Kallonis, Mentoussi

ISLAND DESTINATIONS

MESOTOPOS

Location: North West Lesvos

Highlights: Women’s Co-operative, Traditional Village

Beaches: Tavari, Podaras,

ERESOS

Location: North West Lesvos

Highlights: Hammam/Spa, Watersports, Hiking

Beaches: Skala Eresos

ISLAND DESTINATIONS

SIGRI

Location: North West Lesvos

Highlights: Petrified Forest & Museum, Water Sports, Ypsilou Monastery

Beaches: Fanoremis, Sigri

PAGE TWELVE | WANDERER

Gallery, Vareltzidaina Mansion Museum

Beaches: Petra, Anaxos

PAGE THIRTEEN | WANDERER

ISLAND DESTINATIONS

MOLY

Location: West L

Highlights: Castle, Hilltop V

Ottoman Baths, Wom

Coope

Beaches: Molyvos, E

PAGE FOURTEEN | WANDERER

Stratios Museum, Panagora Church

Beaches: Kagia

ISLAND DESTINATIONS

MANDAMADOS

Location: West Lesvos

Highlights: Traditional Ceramics, Cheese factory, Taxiarches Church

Beaches: Chrissi Ammous, Asproprotamos, Agios Stefanos, T k ki

Location: North of Mytilene

Highlights: Byzantine Church, Tower houses, Old Thermal Springs

Beaches: Kanoni, Petalidi, Skala

Neon Kidonon, Skala Mistegnon, Xampelia

ISLAND DESTINATIONS

MYTILENE

Location: South Lesvos, Capital

Highlights: Archeaological Museum, Agora, Castle, Theofilos & Teriade Museum

Beaches: Tsamakia, Charamida, Kratigos, Agios Ermogenis

GERA BAY

Location: Mytilene, South Lesvos

Highlights: Olive Oil Museum, Windmill, 1922 Refugee Memorial Museum

Beaches: Evriaki, Tarti

WANDERER TOP FAVES

We have foraged our island to meet all the most wonderful people who have businesses, curate museums, make local fare, host amazing experiences...the very people who make this beautiful island what it is today and why you choose to make it your holiday destination.

We have curated this “WANDERER TOP FAVES” of Lesvos. Most of the faves listed have been personally experienced by us at Follow Your Heart Travel or come highly recommended by our local partners. They truely make up a wide section from each region of the island and we are proud of each one listed.

We hope you enjoy (and try!) our list. PAGE EIGHTEEN | WANDERER

WANDERER TOP FAVES HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS

From around the island, we have a selected group of accommodations that will ensure your experience is nothing less than wonderful!

Plomari Sofi Mar

Elies Residence

Mytilene

LITTLE BIRD, BIRDS BAY

WANDERER TOP FAVES HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS

Thermi

Votsala Hotel

Mytilene Villa Melani

Tsonia Armonia Houses

Ktima Kiourelioti

Skala Sikamenia

Villa Molyvos Castle

Molyvos

WANDERER TOP FAVES HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS

Eresos The Eressian

Skala Eresos

Lithos Villas

WANDERER TOP FAVES BEACHES

s of various kinds - sandy, pebbly, rocky and home eaches...find your favourite this summer.

Mytilene Petalidi

WANDERER TOP FAVES BEACHES

TWENTY

West Lesvos Anaxos

West Lesvos Faneromenis

WANDERER TOP FAVES BEACHES

West Lesvos Tavari

West Lesvos Mentoussi

West Lesvos Nyfida

WANDERER TOP FAVES BEACHES

Plomari Agios Isidoros

Plomari Krifti

Plomari

Plomari

Plomari Tarsanas

WANDERER TOP FAVES

TAVERNAS - KAFENEIOS - SWEETS - BARS

Lesvos is known all around Greece as one of the best places for local Greek cuisine. There are local dishes as well as nationally loved dishes available throughout the island We have some of our favourite coffee shops or kafeneios listed too throughout the island as well as some great bars with cocktails. Our wandering bellies have found some of the best on the island for you to try on your next trip here!

Mytilene Umami

Mytilene

Mezedopoleio 28

Mytilene Alley Dog

Mytilene Zaxaroplastis

Mytilene Ermis Kafeneio

Mytilene Bobiras

WANDERER TOP FAVES

TAVERNAS - KAFENEIOS - SWEETS - BARS

Mytilene Refenes

Mytilene Sykeli

Mytilene

Mousiko Kafeneio Mytilene

Moth Bar

Mytilene Ta Glyka tis Elenis

WANDERER TOP FAVES

TAVERNAS - KAFENEIOS - SWEETS - BARS

Mytilene Felouk

Taxiarches/Varia Antonis Ouzeri

Taxiarches/Varia Vagies

Mytilene Loksa

Mytilene

Whiskey Ginger

Mytilene Fisheye Bar

WANDERER TOP FAVES

TAVERNAS - KAFENEIOS - SWEETS - BARS

Ipios

Selli Coffee Bar Kafeneion Synan

Skala Mistegna Rabbit Hole

Skala Sikamenia Anemeosa Taverna

Skala Sikamenia I Mouria tou Mirivili

WANDERER TOP FAVES

TAVERNAS - KAFENEIOS - SWEETS - BARS

Skala Lepetymnos

Liguria Paradise

Molyvos

Tropicana Platanos

Molyvos

Baboukos Taverna

Molyvos Congas Beach Bar

Petra Plateia Cafe Bar

WANDERER TOP FAVES

TAVERNAS - KAFENEIOS - SWEETS - BARS

Skalachori Taverna Platanos

Avlaki Caravan by the Sea

Vatoussa Ta Chania

Kalo Limani

Kalo Limani Fish Taverna

Ancient Antissa I Archaia Antissa

Sigri Calma Cafe

TAVERNA APOLAFSI, PLOMARI

WANDERER TOP FAVES

TAVERNAS - KAFENEIOS - SWEETS - BARS

Sigri Remezzo Eressos SAM

Skala Eressos

Skala Eressos Parasol

Skala Eressos Ohana

Skala Eressos Soulatso

WANDERER TOP FAVES

TAVERNAS - KAFENEIOS - SWEETS - BARS

Skala Eressos

Tavari

Pinas Minas

Skala Eressos

Yalos

Tavari Paloukos

Kalloni To Kadro

Agia Paraskevi

Canberra Taverna

WANDERER TOP FAVES

TAVERNAS - KAFENEIOS - SWEETS - BARS

Kalloni To Kouki kai to Revithi

Agiasos To Stavri

Agiasos

Anapsiktirio Taxiarchoula

Agiasos Cafe Xoboli

Skala Polichnitos Stratos & Toula Taverna

CARAVAN BY THE SEA, AVLAKI

WANDERER TOP FAVES

TAVERNAS - KAFENEIOS - SWEETS - BARS

Agiasos

Theofilos Kafeneio

Kirini

Kira Rinis Cafe

Evriaki

Limanaki of Evriaki

Gera Avlonas Garden

Perama Baroque Coffee Lounge

WANDERER TOP FAVES

TAVERNAS - KAFENEIOS - SWEETS - BARS

Plagia

Psistaria Ouzeri

Plomari

Serafino Cafe Bar

Plageia To Kafeneon

Plomari Hope Coffee Lounge

Plomari Taverna Apolafsi

Melinta Maria Taverna

PLOMARI

WANDERER TOP FAVES OUTDOOR

ACTIVITIES

Lesvos has such a diverse landscape - from the sea to mountains There are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors in many different forms - try one!

Mytilene

WANDERER TOP FAVES

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Plomari

Lesvos RIDE

Kalloni

A i l ’ L Fi hi T

PAGE FIFTY | WANDERER

Kalloni Lesvos Bird Watching

Perama

Sigri

E. AEGEAN FOLK ART SHOP, SIGRI

WANDERER TOP FAVES SHOPS & ARTISANS

Locally made products from spices to ceramics, shops that curate the most wonderful items such as cosmetics or clothing - whatever your shopping, we have some favourite spots we like to take our guests when they visit to ensure quality and service.

Mytilene Evelyn Spices

Mytilene Book and Art/ KIDS

Mytilene Ergani Ceramics

Mytilene Malama Jewelry

Mytilene MIMOSA Cosmetics

Mytilene Tzorvadellis Jewlery

WANDERER TOP FAVES

SHOPS & ARTISANS

Mytilene Azul

PAGE FIFTY FOUR | WANDERER

Mytilene Papalines

Mytilene Lebades Lesvos

Mytilene Terirem

Mytilene Olisticon

WANDERER TOP FAVES SHOPS & ARTISANS

My Galan

Pamfila Olive Wood House

Kedro Chileli

Mandamados Apis Fabrica

Mytilene Kava Kelari

Mandamados

WANDERER TOP FAVES SHOPS & ARTISANS

Mandamados

Petra Sodia

Skala Sikamenia Niki Art Shop

Mystelkelli Dairy

Dimitris Stamatis Ceramics

Filia Filia Rose

WANDERER TOP FAVES

SHOPS & ARTISANS

Sigri E. Aegean Folk Art Shop

Sigri Sigri Brewery

Skala Eressos Strongbeads

Skala Eresos Motivos Ceramics

Skala Eressos Magdalani Ceramic Studio Kalloni Northern Aegean Flavours

WANDERER TOP FAVES

SHOPS & ARTISANS

Plomari Aegean Treasures

asos arelia Cerem

Trigonas Mia Elia

WANDERER TOP FAVES

CULTURAL / REGLIGIOUS / ANCIENT SITES

With ancient ruins, museums & galleries and dozens of points of interest, Lesvos has no end of cultural & religious things to explore, discover and appreciate. The island also hosts a variety of different festivals throughout the summer!

Mytilene Fortress Castle

Mytilene Theofilos Museum

Mytilene EVA Distillery & Ouzo Museum

WANDERER TOP FAVES

CULTURAL / RELIGIOUS / ANCIENT SIT

Mytilene Archealogical Museum

Mytilene Byzantine Museum

Mytilene

CULTURAL / REGLIGIOUS / ANCIENT SITES

Loutropoli Thermis St Raphael Monastery

ROMAN AQUEDUCTS, MORIA

WANDERER TOP FAVES

CULTURAL / REGLIGIOUS / ANCIENT SITES

Mandamados Agios Fanourios

Loutropoli Thermi

Komi

Tzortis Olive Oil Company

Nea Kidonis Windmill

WANDERER TOP FAVES

CULTURAL / RELIGIOUS / ANCIENT SITES

Mandamados Church of Taxiarches

Palios Ancient Tombs

WANDERER TOP FAVES

CULTURAL / RELIGIOUS / ANCIENT SITES

Vareltzidaina Mansion

Petra

Klapados

WANDERER TOP FAVES

CULTURAL / REGLIGIOUS / ANCIENT SITES

WANDERER TOP FAVES

CULTURAL / REGLIGIOUS ANCIENT SITES

Sigri

Sigri Olive Mill

Skala Eresos Archaeological Museum

WANDERER TOP FAVES

CULTURAL / RELIGIOUS / ANCIENT SITES

Parakoila Ottoman Mosque Minoret

Agia Paraskevi

MYTILENE CASTLE FORTRESS

WANDERER TOP FAVES

CULTURAL / REGLIGIOUS ANCIENT SITES

Papados

Vrana Olive Oil Museum

Papados Tepes Family Farm

WANDERER TOP FAVES

CULTURAL / RELIGIOUS / ANCIENT SITES

Mesagros

Agiasos Panagia Church

Skala Loutra Museum - Refugee Memory 1922

WANDERER TOP FAVES

FESTIVALS

Lesvos is home to many festivals throughout the summer months and during the year

Be sure to locate one while you are here and experience our island in new ways.

Eresos

Queer Festival :: May 28-June 1

Island-wide

Lesvos Food Fest :: July 9-14

Mytilene & Plomari Ouzo Fest :: July Kalloni Sardine Festival ::1st week August

Molyvos

Arion Guitar Festival :: Aug 1-4

Molyvos

Molyvos Music Festival :: Aug 9-19

FESTIVALS WANDERER TOP FAVES

Anemotia Viticulture Festival - August

Eressos

Women’s Festival :: Sept 10-20

Island-wide

Elia Confest :: Annually

Island-Wide

Euphoria Festival :: Sept 5-8

Mytiline

Lesviako Kalokairi :: June-Sept

EFTALOU HOT SPRINGS

WANDERER TOP FAVES WELLNESS

It has been know since the beginning of time that Lesvos has a spiritual and physiological presence that attracts many around the world. From the thermal hot springs to the yoga retreats and spas, your spiritual and emotional well being will be looked after when you holiday on the island.

Mytilene

The Glow House at MIMOSA

Mytilene Th H S i & S

Mytilene

Eutopia Yoga & Tai Chi

WANDERER TOP FAVES

WELLNESS

Mandamados

Shi t ith El i

Polichnitos

Hippocrates Hot Springs & Spa

Eressos

Eressian Hammam & Spa

PAGE EIGHTY SIX | WANDERER

MYTILENE PORT

GET LOCAL SPOTLIGHT:

Mytiline

The capital of Lesvos island, Mytiline’s city port is bustling with a local agora full of all sorts of shops, cafes and tavernas, specialty shops & artisans. It is also home to many ancient ruins such as the Fortress Castle, the ancient Roman mosaics, an old Ottoman h

The shopping hours for the city centre are every morning from Monday to Saturday and in the later afternoon/early evenings on Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays..

Parking is located on the street at the harbour (you will need to buy a parking card at a kiosk) or the port parking at the south side of the city centre. Enjoy the summer nightlife in Ladadika, the heart of the city centre!

GET LOCAL

SPOTLIGHT:

Plomari

Located on the south west corner of the island, this beautiful seaside village comes alive in summertime! From the seaside fish tavernas to the plateia cafes, you will find many places to sit and watch life pass you by.

Just north of Plomari is Melinta, a tiny village with a huge rock where parties go through the night during the summer months - it’s the place to hang out!

Find yourself on a boat trip to Panagia Krifti where you can swim in the sea in thermal springs, tasting ouzo at one of distilleries or laying around the blue flag beach of Agios Isidoros...your summer will be nothing less than fabulous!

PLOMARI

GET LOCAL FEATURED

This WANDERER Lesvos Edition we are featuring 4 of our favourite locals from Mytilene & Plomari. Read about their favourite places on the island to relax, play and recommend.

-Tell us about your business and what does it offer our guests and locals?

The MIMØΣΑ project started in 2019 by Mario and I (Stratis). It is a curated selection of niche, clean skincare brands and wellness products from all over the world. We are inspired by the natural wealth of Lesvos. We chose this island particularly for its healing energy and its unique natural beauty. Sometimes "rough" and sometimes "soft", like our skin.

Our store is at Alkaiou St #4, in the center market of Mytilene. It is a must-stop-by if you are looking for a good sunscreen, to pamper yourself with exquisite vegan cosmetics, be surprised by extraordinary wellness products or even enjoy a relaxing moment of Ayurveda facial treatment in the upper floor, our Glow House on the second floor.

-Where are your favourite places to relax/play on Lesvos?

Both of us love to explore the west part of the island (Sigri, Eresos and Plomari). Volcanic landscapes with awesome views and long beaches… especially in summertime. In winter, we love to visit small mountain villages for a long walk with the dog to the olive groves.

-What do you love most about the island?

The dramatic changes of the natural landscapes: forestry and dense vegetation, olive groves and chestnut forests, alternate with highlands and desert landscapes beautifully. It is a unique place to discover and stay, of course. PAGE NINETY TWO | WANDERER

GET LOCAL FEATURED

-How did you decide to open your Mezedopoleio on the island? Opening Mezedopoleio 28 on Lesvos was a no brainer for us as one half of our family was born here. So it made sense to fulfil our dream of having our very own restaurant right here on the island, and I mean.. just look around: the island is packed full of beautiful natural wonders, crystal clear blue waters and amazing food! Who wouldn’t want to live here!?

-What is a quality of Lesvos that you love?

There are so many qualities of Lesvos it’s hard to pinpoint just one or two, but the people that can be found here make the island special. There are so many different communities and cultures consisting of people from all over the world that bring a wonder of food and flavours to the island and of course let’s not forget the delights of the traditional Greek cuisine that can be found on every street from centuries old family run tavernas.

-Where do you go to enjoy the island during summer?

During the summer months we don’t have too much free time as we are very busy bringing our own flavours and ideas to our menus for the good people of Mytilene to enjoy.

But when we do get a little respite, we love to spend the day and drive up to the north of the island and visit the city of Molyvos with it’s beautiful scenery and amazing places to eat. Then go across to eEresos and enjoy its wonderful beaches and finally we drive a little further up and enjoy some dinner at our favourite restaurant in Sigri.

GET LOCAL FEATURED

-What kind of business do you have

My shop is known its local products and many local herbs. I carry organic products from island and Greece, such as aronia, lavanya herb, kayanari from Agiasos, local wild mint and many others. I also specialise in local olives, organic small farm olive oils, marmalades, cosmetics and soaps, sauces, pastas, preserves, and even some local liquors.

Come visit me! I have a small shop with big selection of interesting products that are not always easy to find.

-Where are some of your favourite places on the island?

Some of my favourite places are: Molyvos as I grew up there; Eftalou and the positive vibes; Skala Eressos

for the relaxing pace and atmosphere; Agiasos for its traditional past you can walk around in; chrousos because of nice place camping by the sea.

-Why do you love our island?

I love Lesvos because it’s still very authentic and I feel it’s my home. I grew up many years in Athens but always enjoyed and wanted to be back here on holidays…I especially longed for it in spring.

It has a very unique light and sun unlike anywhere I have been. The day seems to be “longer” than in other places.

Its natural beauty is vast - every corner of the island you can see so much beautiful landscapes. Also the people - they are real and friendly and not looking at you for what they can get from you. They make it wonderful to live here.

PAGE NINETY SIX | WANDERER

GET LOCAL FEATURED

-What kind of business do you have and why should everyone use it?

Seafari Adventures is located in Plomari Lesvos. We organize private tours all around the island. We promote the pure authentic side of our island, we choose the best of the best in order to fulfil the 5 senses of our guests for their holidays. No matter what your hobbies/interests are, we have activities and tours for all the tastes. We organize private boat trips with experienced skipper; we rent boats without licence; we do guided MTB E-bike trips based on our cycling experiences; we also do tours with our SUVs on the mountains and to some of the most nice places around Lesvos. And of course we couldn’t miss authentic traditional cooking lessons and Olive oil Soap making workshops. We are ready to create the best memories for you in Lesvos.

-Where are some of your favourite places on the island? Of course we do have some favourite places. Obviously we will start with the beautiful Plomari Village, an amphitheatrical beauty! Very famous for Ouzo & very beautiful beaches like Agios Isidoros, Melinda & Panagia Krifti. We also love Mytilene (the capital of Lesvos). Mytilene is beautiful all year round. The stunning castle and the museums of Theofilos & Teriade and the little shops all around Ladadika area where you can enjoy a nice coffee or a very tasty meal make it unique. Moreover we are also in love with Sigri and the unique Petrified Forest Museum, with Eresos village and the sandy beach with the relaxing vibe and all the bars and the restaurants next to the beach, and the famous Petra & Molyvos villages with the traditional alleys full of blooming flowers and little souvenir shops.

-Why do you love our island?

LESVOS is the 3rd biggest island in Greece and it’s unique the way it is, not crowded and authentic! We love it because it is our island - the one we grew up on and have lived our whole life. It’s our home and our home is the most beautiful one.

YOU

ARE WELCOME

TO OUR ISLAND!

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of WANDERER MAGAZINE. We have thoroughly enjoyed putting it together for you.

We hope you use this as a guide to begin your discover of Lesvos. There is so much more to discover and uncover during your time on the island - let this be a sort of spring board for you to start from.

Please share this with friends and family and anyone who is coming to our island. We welcome everyone to find their favourite spots throughout Lesvos.

Kalo Taxidi or “Good Holiday” on our favourite Greek island!

LESVOS NORTH AEGEAN Paradise

12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS

a curated island holiday by

GET LOCAL FEATURED

Interested in getting featured in our next edition? Contact us and let’s chat!

If you are interested in more information about Lesvos or want to be involved in any future issues of WANDERER, please use any of the below to contact us: