Island Info

Lesvos is a Greek island located in the northeastern Aegean Sea, facing the Turkish coast (Gulf of Edremit) from the north and east.

It has an area of 1,632 km2 (630 sq mi) with 320 kilometres (almost 200 miles) of coastline, making it the third largest Greek island. Its population is approximately 90,000, a third of which lives in its capital, Mytilene, in the southeastern part of the island. The remaining population is distributed in small towns and picturesque villages, the largest of which are Kalloni, Gera Villages, Plomari, Agiassos, Eresos, and Molyvos (the ancient Mythymna).

The island's volcanic origin is manifested in several hot springs and two gulfs. The world's second largest Petrified Forest of Sequoia is located in the western part of the island. The old tower houses of Mytilene, a reminder of the prosperity of its inhabitants during the 19th and 20th century, should not be missed.

HOW TO GET HERE

By Boat

The harbor, one of the largest of the Aegean, has daily ferry connections with Piraeus via Chios island as well as connections with Thessaloniki, Limnos and Kavala. Also small boats are operating to Ayvalik and Dikili on the Turkish coast.

By plane

The international airport of Mytilene 'Odysseus Elytis' has daily connections to Athens and Thessaloniki. There are also charter flights from several European capitals during high season.

For further information please visit:

https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/north-aegean-islands/lesvos/

Chios is the fifth largest of the Greek Islands situated in the Aegean Sea, seven kilometers (five miles) off the Asia Minor coast.

Its population is approximately 55,000. The island is noted for its strong merchant shipping community, its unique mastic gum and its medieval villages. The 11th century monastery of "Nea Moni", a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located on the island. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Chios.

HOW TO GET HERE

By Boat

The harbor has daily ferry connections with Piraeus and Mytilene. Also small boats are operating to Cesme on the Turkish coast.

By plane

Chios airport is connected to Athens, Thessaloniki and Mytilene.

For further information please visit:

https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/north-aegean-islands/chios/

Samos is a Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea, south of Chios, north of Patmos and the Dodecanese, and off the coast of Asia Minor.

Its population is approximately 45,000. In ancient times Samos was a particularly rich and powerful city-state. Samos is home to Pythagoreion and the Heraion of Samos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the Eupalinian aqueduct, a marvel of ancient engineering. Samos is the birthplace of the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, after whom the Pythagorean theorem is named.

HOW TO GET HERE

By Boat

The principal port of Samos is at Vathi, also called Samos while the other two ports are Karlovassi and Pithagorio. Ferries from Piraeus and Cyclades usually stop at both Vathi and Karlovassi.

Hydrofoils to the Dodecanese islands depart regularly from Vathi and Pithagorio

It is also connected with all the islands of the North Aegean and the Dodecanese islands once a week through the shipping route from Alexandroupoli to Rhodes.

Finally, Samos is connected on a daily basis with the port of Kousadasi in Turkey.

By plane

There are daily flights to and from Athens.

For further information please visit:

https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/north-aegean-islands/samos/

Syros, with 20,000 inhabitants, has the largest population of all the Cyclades islands. It covers an area of 84 square kilometers.

The island’s capital is Ermoupolis, which is also the administrative seat of the Cyclades and home to a range of public services such as courts, fire department, chamber of commerce, customs, tax service, and regional subdivisions of the state agriculture, forestry, education, fishing, and commerce departments.

Ermoupolis covers an area of nearly 1,000 acres and has a population of 13,000; its area include the Manna district.

The vibrant town of Ano Syros has a total population of 1,700 that’s engaged primarily in trade, agriculture, stockbreeding, bee-keeping, tourism, and the merchant marine.  

The main villages of the island are Galissas, Chroussa, Poseidonia, Vari and Foinikas. Poseidonia is marked by stately mansions built in the 19th century as the summer homes of the rich merchants who comprised Greece’s first urban class.

HOW TO GET HERE

By Boat

The port of Syros is connected daily with Piraeus, the rest of the Cyclades and the Dodecanese with coastal ferry routes.

By Plan

The airport of Syros "Dimitrios Vikelas" offers flights to Syros with regular air routes from Athens and Thessaloniki.

For further information please visit:

https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/cyclades/syros/

Rhodes is a Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007.

The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Rhodes, which is located at the northern tip of the island. Outside the city of Rhodes, the island is dotted with small villages and beach resorts, among them Faliraki, Lindos, Kremasti, Haraki, Pefkos, Archangelos, Afantou, Koskinou, Embona (Attavyros), Paradisi, and Trianta (Ialysos).

Historically, Rhodes was famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

HOW TO GET HERE

By Boat

Rhodes is a major port with sea links not only to Athens, Crete, and the islands of the Aegean, but also to Cyprus, Turkey, and Israel.

In late spring and summer, there's daily hydrofoil or catamaran service from Mandraki Harbor to Kos, Tilos, Nissiros and Simi, and less predictable service to many destinations, including Kalimnos, Leros, Patmos, Kastellorizo, and Samos.

By plane

There are domestic flights to and from Athens, Crete (Iraklion), Karpathos (Kasos), Kastellorizo, Mykonos, Santorini, and Thessaloniki.

For further information please visit:

https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/dodecanese/rhodes/

Lemnos is the 8th largest island in Greece, situated in the northern part of the Aegean Sea, with a population of around 17,000 inhabitants.

The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Myrina. Although the island is mostly flat (hence its more than 30 sand beaches), the west, and especially the northwest part, is rough and mountainous. The main towns are Myrina, on the western coast, and Moudros on the eastern shore of a large bay in the middle of the island.

Lemnos is well known for its wine, honey and cheese.

HOW TO GET HERE

By Boat

There are frequent connections with Piraeus and Lavrio. Lemnos can also be reached from Thessaloniki, Kavala and Alexandroupolis. During the summer there are also boats to and from Kimi. The island is also connected to Agios Efstratios, Samothrace, Mytilene, Chios, Samos, Kos and Rhodes.

By Plane

Lemnos airport 'Hephaestus' has the longest runway in Greece and is one of the biggest airports in the Aegean. There are daily connections to Athens Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos'. There are also flights to Thessaloniki, Chios, Samos and Rhodes. During the summer there are also charter flights from European capitals.

For further information please visit:

https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/north-aegean-islands/limnos/