Lesbos Maps

Lesbos (also called Mytilene after its capital) is the third-largest Greek island, located in the northeast Aegean Sea near the Turkish coast. The island covers 630 square miles and has a population of approximately 83,000 residents. Mytilene Town, the capital and main port, is situated on the southeast coast and features a large Byzantine-Genoese fortress that dominates the harbor, along with neoclassical mansions and a significant archaeological museum.

Lesbos was the birthplace of several notable figures from antiquity, including the lyric poet Sappho (c. 630-570 BCE), who lived in Mytilene and Eresos and whose poetry celebrating love between women gave rise to the terms "lesbian" and "sapphic." The ancient philosopher Aristotle spent time on Lesbos, conducting biological research. The island was also home to the philosopher Theophrastus and the musician Arion. The site of ancient Eresos, Sappho's birthplace, is located on the west coast near the modern village of Skala Eressos.

The island's landscape is diverse, with the volcanic mountain Lepetymnos in the north reaching 3,176 feet, extensive olive groves covering approximately 11 million trees (producing about a third of Greece's olive oil), and pine forests. The Petrified Forest of Lesbos in the west, a UNESCO Global Geopark, contains fossilized tree trunks and root systems dating to 15-20 million years ago, created by volcanic activity. Significant settlements beyond Mytilene include Molyvos (Mithymna) in the north, a scenic town with a Byzantine castle and traditional architecture, Plomari on the south coast known for ouzo production, and Agiassos, a mountain village below Mount Olympos.

Lesbos has a tradition of ouzo production, particularly in Plomari, which produces some of Greece's finest ouzo brands. The island features numerous hot springs, particularly at Polichnitos, which has one of the world's hottest thermal springs. The Church of Panagia Gorgona in Agiassos is an important pilgrimage site. The island's economy is based on agriculture, particularly olive oil, ouzo production, fishing, and tourism. In 2015-2016, Lesbos became a primary entry point for refugees and migrants crossing from Turkey, bringing international attention. The island has an international airport and extensive ferry connections to Athens and other Aegean islands.

The Facts:
Region: North Aegean.
Capital: Mytilene.
Cities and towns: Agia Paraskevi, Agiasos, Gera, Eresos-Antissa, Evergetoulas, Kalloni, Loutropoli Thermis, Mantamados, Mithymna, Mytilene, Petra, Plomari, Polichnitos.
Population: ~ 83,000.
Area: 630 sq mi (1,633 sq km).