Villa Hydria

Villa Hydria is located between the villages of Petra and Anaxos, roughly 30 miles from Mytilene Airport, and closer to Avlaki beach. It enjoys a lovely elevated location with stunning views to Molyvos and the dazzling blue Aegean Sea. The sandy beaches of Anaxos and Petra are only a 5 minute drive from the villa. Ambelia Beach is just 1.5 miles from the villa, and Tsichranta is 2.1 miles away. The 23 beaches of Lesvos are usually small pebbled bays, some secluded even in the high season. Avlaki, Petra and Molyvos beaches offer excellent watersports and are organised with plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas. The stunning Vatera Beach is as long as many of the Cyclades islands themselves. You could almost fit any of the Cyclades islands in the Bay of Kaloni.
 
Petra is a romantic old village brimming with pretty squares, terracotta buildings and narrow cobblestone streets. Its church, Panagia Glykofilousa, stands proud at the top of the village, soaring high above the rooftops. Sightseeing and shopping merge perfectly in Petra. The streets are lined with little shops selling locally crafted wood, jewellery and art plus there is a small Ouzo distillery that has been run by the same family for generations. If you are interested in history, you might wander into Vareltzidaina’s House, the restored home of a 19th-century merchant. You will enjoy strolling along the golden sandy beach and snorkelling with colourful fish in the clear blue water.  There is a local tractor train that can take you on a hop-on-hop-off tour of Petra and Molyvos.
 
The beautiful island of Lesvos is awash with gorgeous scenery, medieval castles, ancient monuments, charming villages and plenty of museums. The most famous museum is The World of Ouzo Museum which is situated in Isidoros Arvanitis in a fabulous olive grove, just a few minutes from the village of Plomari. The distillery has been going for more than 120 years and exports its delicious ouzo to more than 30 countries around the world. Visitors can taste and buy the ouzo. Other fascinating museums include the Archaeological Museum of Mytilene, the Iakovidis Digital Museum and The Museum of the Petrified Forest which was founded in 1994 to research, promote, display, preserve and protect the unique forest. The Petrified Forest, 12 km from Sigri, is a rare natural site which was officially declared a natural monument in 1985. It was petrified because of the intense volcanic activity of the area. The Vranas Olive Press Museum in Kaloni is housed in a beautiful industrial building built by Nikolaos Vranas, the grandfather of the poet Odysseas Elytis. It operated until the early 1970’s.
 
Lesvos’ hot springs, health-inducing spas are dotted around the island. Many have been used for thousands of years for rheumatism, arthritis, gynaecological and dermatological ailments as well as kidney and gallstones, neurological ailments, bronchitis and sciatica. The main locations are Efthalia, Thermes and Gera. The island’s landscape is rugged with mountains and lush forests. If you visit the island in the spring, you will be rewarded with one of the most impressive displays of wildflowers and wild birds you will ever see. Lesvos is a major stop in the migration routes of European birds coming from Africa. Although there are many birdwatching spots around the island, the most famous is the salt lakes close to Kalloni, in the centre of the island. The island is renowned for its high-quality olive oil as well as its ouzo. Lesvos is sprinkled with many picturesque villages.

The village of Molyvos is a must-visit for its spectacular views of the Aegean Sea. An imposing medieval castle sits above the village where it used to protect the village from invasions. You can take some lovely boat excursions from Molyvos. The ancient walls of Molyvos were once besieged by Archilles himself. Other pretty villages include Mytilene, Agiossos and Skala Sikamias. The seaside town of Sigri is very popular, a remote outpost of Greek island tourism. Other attractions include the Castle of Mytilene, the Monastery of Saint Raphael, the Ipsilou Monastery, The Ancient Theatre of Lesvos and the Roman Aqueduct, which dates from the 3rd century AD. The Castle of Mytilene was originally built in medieval times but has undergone many transformations by the Genovese and the Turks.  
 
There are so many other fascinating ancient buildings, churches, monasteries and museums to visit. You really need at least two weeks to discover this amazing island fully!
 

Read more about Lesbos

The volcanic island of Lesvos (often spelled as Lesbos) offers visitors pretty villages, impressive nature, fascinating geology and gorgeous beaches as well as a fascinating history and rich island culture.

Seasonally, international flights arrive at the island’s airport around 7km south of the island’s capital city, Mytilene, or sail to Lesvos from various Greek ports including Piraeus, Athens.

Fall in love with the island beaches from the long shores of Vatera Beach with watersports, sun loungers and umbrellas to more remote spots accessible only by boat. Keen snorkellers will love the clear waters of Tsonia Beach or you may prefer to sip cocktails overlooking Paralia Tarti’s crystal-clear sea. If you can find the time, soak up the summer ambience of the lively beach at Molyvos with idyllic sunsets over the Aegean.  

The island’s nature is inspiring with ample bird-watching opportunities, especially around the salt pans of Kalloni where migratory birds stop en route from Africa to Europe. In the springtime, look out for rare sightings of birds and beautiful wild flowers as you follow a network of hiking trails across the mountains and wild forests. Cycling is another wonderful way to experience the natural beauty and authentic Greek charm of Lesvos.  

With archaeological sites and historic castles, there are many sites where you can learn all about the island’s diverse and often turbulent history. Admire the Roman aqueduct in Moria, the Byzantine castle in Molyvos and the impressive fort in in Mytilene. Visitors will also appreciate the island’s hot springs and spas, many which have been used for centuries, and Lesvos’ rich heritage in olive oil and ouzo production – a visit to The World of Ouzo Museum and distillery is an interesting detour.

Another great highlight of the island is The Petrified Forest, dating back 20 million years -the fossilised tree stumps underwent the process of petrification during the active volcanic period. Learn more about this unique natural site, at the forest’s Natural History museum around 11km from the remote fishing harbour of Sigri.