Limnos

Limnos

Limnos (also Lemnos) is a big island in the shape of a fish, located in the middle of North Aegean sea. Its remoteness from Athens and the other islands does not predispose many tourists to come, so for this reason Limnos is a serene place with rural landscapes, vast and empty sandy beaches and unspoiled Greek cuisine.

In the last few years the island has become popular as a windsurf and kitesurf destination. Here you can see two unique places - the Ammothines desert (one of the few deserts in Europe) and the only roofless church in Greece.

General information about Limnos

Many people believe that Limnos is a very windy island because it is а popular kitesurf spot. The truth is, however, that winds blow mainly on the east coast. The whole south and west coast are quite protected from wind and the beaches there are very calm.

The east part of Limnos is flat, while the west one is mountainous and rocky. The largest settlements are Myrina, the capital, and the port of Moudros but in the inner part of the island there are dozens of villages where people also live all year round.

The island is of volcanic origin but its soil is fertile, giving life to plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limnos is also known for the cultivation of high quality wheat used for the production of fine yellow flour and the traditional for the island pasta, called flomari. Wine and thyme honey are other popular local products.

Where to stay in Limnos?

The area around the capital Myrina is one of the preferred places for accommodation because it is close to a selection of large sandy beaches. It is a beautiful settlement dominated by a Venetian castle above the port, nicely illuminated at night. Some of the nearby beaches have developed as small resorts like Plati and Thanos, and there are three beaches inside Myrina as well.

Moudros is also popular for accommodation. It has no beaches but just within a few km you can find the sandy shallow beaches of Havouli and Fanaraki.

Which are the best beaches of Limnos?

Almost all beaches of Limnos are sandy and shallow. Except for the east beaches which are surfing spots, the rest are suitable for kids. The most popular beaches among families are Megalo Fanaraki and Mikro Fanaraki, Plati, Thanos, Evgatis and Agios Ioannis Kaspakas.

The beaches in the north part are mainly wild and without facilities. Gomati beach, which is close to the protected sand dunes, is the largest in the area and has a small beach bar and taverna operating in the summer but the entire north coast is not inhabited and has no resorts.

What to do in Limnos?

The best points of interest and sights to visit in Limnos are:

- Myrina and its castle
- Ammothines (Sand Dunes) - the desert of Limnos which is also one of the few deserts in Europe
- The old church of Panagia Kakaviotissa, a unique roofless church set in a cave on the top of a mountain
- Cape Faraklo, with peculiar limestone shapes
- The ruins of the ancient city of Hephaestia
- Aliki salt lake which gets dry in summer
- The Kavirio Temple in the northeast part
- The sea cave of Philoctetes under the Temple of Kavirio, accessible by boat
- The underground spring in the church of Zoodochos Pygi

How to get to Limnos?

Limnos can be reached by airplane and by ferry. The airport of the island serves domestic and charter flights.

By ferry Limnos can be reached as follows:
- From the port of Kavala - the ferry runs all year round and the journey lasts approximately 4 hours
- From the port of Alexandroupoli - only in summer and via Samothrace
- From the port of Thessaloniki - seasonal, once per week
- From the ports of Lavrio and Piraues - once per week

Limnos is also connected with the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria and the unknown Agios Efstratios.