There are many beaches on the island of Lesvos, of all shapes and sizes. Some are busy with activity and watersports, from jet-skis to windsurfing, while others are empty, even in the summer. This is just a small sampling. There are many more.

Skala Eressos

The best beach in Lesvos, if not all of Greece is Skala Eressos . If you have kids this is the place to be especially around sunset. Looking west is the main part of the beach. Beyond the umbrellas people bathe nude. There is also a lake full of turtles. There are restaurants, cafes, hotels, and shops and plenty of nightlife in the summer. It is located in SW Lesvos around an hour and a half from Mytilini. See More about Skala Eressos

Skala Eressos Nudist Beach

If you continue west on the beach at Skala Eressos or drive over the bridge and go past the Aeolian Village Resort you will come to the nudist area. There is a small canteen there, or at least there was last time I was there. I don't go now because I think it would be weird to swim nude with my wife and daughter but I bet other people do it. Anyway even if you are not a practiving nudist the sea is pretty amazing here.

Vatera Beach

The longest beach in Lesvos, Vatera is 7 kilometers of sand and pebbles and crystal clear water. There are tavernas, cafes, hotels and shops spread out along the coast but most of it is bring your own umbrellas and beach chairs and the beach is so long that even in August you can find an area to have to yourself. It is located in SE Lesvos about a half hour drive from Mytilini. See More about Vatera

Petra

The long sandy beach in Petra is a low key resort style beach with rental umbrellas, beach chairs, showers, changing stations and a line of restaurants, not to mention the entire village of Petra within easy walking distance. Petra is a very well run tourist town with great restaurants and nightlife and easy transportation for visiting Molyvos as well as lots of shops and an impressive monastery perched on a giant rock like a mini-Meteora.

Molyvos Delfinia Hotel Beach

There are several beaches in and around Molyvos. My favorite is the sandy beach right behind the Delfinia Hotel and Bungalows. There is a restaurant and a swimming pool too. It is a 20 minute walk from the town but if you have a car you can drive and park by the restaurant. The beach beds and umbrellas are for guests but you may be able to rent them as well. See more about Molyvos

Molyvos Town Beach

The town beach of Molyvos is a narrow strip of rocks and pebbles about a 10 minute walk from just about anywhere in town. There are restaurants, cafes and beach bars as well as a handful of hotels including the famous Olive Press Hotel. You may need water shoes here. There are other rocky beaches on the other side of Molyvos going all the way to the hot springs of Eftalou.

Golden Beach (Eftalou)

On the back side of Molyvos Castle there are a string of stony beaches right next to the road that are swimable but unspectacular leading to the Hot Springs of Eftalou with its small, extra rocky beach where there are actually pools of hot spring water. If you continue along the coast on foot or by car there is a larger beach, less rocky, called Golden Beach which is better than the others. It doesn't compare to the best beaches on Lesvos but if you are on this part of the island it is good enough and there is the popular Golden Beach Restaurant there. If you continue along the beach you come to the bathing suit optional section which is probably what draws most people to it.

Anaxos

This small beach town between Petra and the village of Skoutaros and within site of Molyvos used to be one of the package tourist centers of Lesvos with thousands of people walking the streets and filling the hotels, restaurants and beach beds. But that was 20 years ago and though the tourists have mostly gone to greener (cheaper) pastures, the hotels, restaurants, and beachbeds are still here but with a lot fewer people. See more about Anaxos

Mytilini City Beach

This is the only pay beach on Lesvos and has beach beds, umbrellas, changing rooms, a snack bar and other amenities. It is also a 10 minute walk from the center of town and a few steps away from the ferry port so if you have time before your shop leaves you can go for a swim. I prefer the concrete platform in the foreground where many of the old people do their early morning and evening banyo.

Faneromeni Big Beach

This is one of my favorite beaches and when it is super hot everywhere on the island you can come here where there is pretty much always a breeze (at least) and the sea is cold. They say it is because the wind and sea come from the Black Sea through the Dardenelles and this part of Western Lesvos is not protected from the north wind by the coast of Turkey. It can get very rough here as well, so rough you may not want to swim. There is a small eclectic cafe run by a guy named Nondas and he has put tables and chairs under the nearby trees for anyone to use. Otherwise there is nothing else here besides some farms, a river, and a small church in a cave. The town of Sigri is about 2 miles away and has a couple of the best restaurants on Lesvos. See more about Sigri

Faneromeni Small Beach

The beach at Faneromeni is cut in two by a river and a small mountain made of granite (or some rock, I don't really know rocks). The smaller beach also has 2 connected shallow tidal pools which are like a small lake and perfect if you are here with children or the sea seems too rough even for adults. To get to both beaches take the road to Sigri and turn right when you get to the sea and follow the road and then look for signs.

Sigri Town Beach

The sheltered beach on the back side of the village of Sigri has refreshingly cold sea, cheap sunbeds and umbrellas, a taverna, a cafe and some trees for shade. It can get pretty crowded in the summer but you can walk to the far end if that bothers you. If you are here in July/August come early in the morning or in the late afternoon. The beach has a nice view of Sigri Castle. You can park in the port and walk or you can find a spot along the road. With the new highway Sigri is much closer than it has been in the past so you can come for the day though some people prefer to spend a night or two or even more because if you love beaches there are several more in the area.  See more about Sigri

Other Sigri Beaches

If you follow the dirt road out of Sigri that goes to Eressos there are a handful of small beaches that are favorites for people who prefer to swim without bathing suits. Though not officially nudist beaches, since technically there are no official nudist beaches in Greece, you can come here and not be bothered by anyone, except possibly other nudists. They are about a 20 minute walk from the town beach but you can drive here and park on the road from which they are mostly visable.

Paralia Tsichliotas

If you continue on the road from Sigri to Eressos you will pass a small river that leads to Tsichiotas Beach which looks like a mirror image of Skala Eressos but without a town or people. This is an intimidating beach that not many people make it to, mainly because there is a gate and you have to get out of your car and open it and then close it behind you which may be intimidating for some people. But if you drive as far as you can along the river and you park your car when the road stops you will be rewarded with one of the nicest beaches on Lesvos. Like other beaches in the area many of the stoned and pebbles on the shore are pertified wood if you like beachcombing. But don't try to take it off the island. You can get in trouble. There is no water or shade on any of these beaches so bring your own.

Gavatha

This long shallow beach is perfect for families with children and is popular with the people who live in the villages of Antissa, Hidira and Vatousa. There are showers and some beach beds and umbrellas near the Tsolias Psarotaverna and Beach Bar but mostly people bring their own stuff. There are nice shade trees and benches and though the north wind can create some waves they are usually not too big. Besides Tsolias there is also the Rofos Psarotaverna in the town of Gavatha and the wonderful Liota Taverna in the nearby town of the same name. There is seaweed on the western end of the beach but not the rest of it.

Lapsarna

What used to be a long drive on a rocky dirt road to the long sandy beach of Lapsarna has now turned into a pleasurable 12 minute journey from the town of Yiota and Gavatha. The sea is shallow and there can be waves when the wind blows from the north and there is nothing in the way of beach amenities, this is a popular beach for people who don't like popular beaches. If you get hungry the taverna at Liota is close enough.

Kampo Antissa Beach

Though it often has big waves when the wind blows from the north and attracts surfers, this is one of the longest beaches and most wild on Lesvos. The west end is more rocky and the east is more sandy but beach shoes are a good idea either way. There can be rip tides here so if you are not a good swimmer or have children with you maybe come here when there is no wind. There is little to no shade so you will need an umbrella but if you continue on to the truly terrible beach at Ancient Antissa you can eat at the truly wonderful Ancient Antissa Psarotaverna. (Only open in the summer).

Kalo Limani

This small sandy beach is located below the village of Skalohori in NW Lesvos and in the summer it is full of people from the village. There is an excellent psarotaverna here which stays busy throughout the afternoon. If you want to swim here come around 10am or after 7pm.

Tavari

On the southwest side of the island below the lively village of Mesotopos is the small beach town and fishing port of Tavari. The beach is a mix of sand and pebbles and there are some beach beds and umbrellas available. There are also some very good psarotavernas on the shore including Paloukas, one of the best fish restaurants on Lesvos. Tavari, Podaras and Chroussos face south so they are cut off from the meltemi but they are also hotter than the beaches on the northwest side of Lesvos.

Paralia Podaras

This well off the beaten path beach is east of Tavari on a dirt road. There is a kantina that has great food and there is some tent activity under the trees but not much else besides a beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear sea and a handful of people. If you are lucky Christos and his dog will offer you some achinoos but if not, and the kantina is closed go have lunch at Paloukas in Tavari, or one of the other excellent psarotavernas.

Paralia Chrousos

Like Podaras this beach is reached by dirt road from Tavari. There is a small kantina here for food and drinks but you will need your own umbrella though there are some shade trees and like many beaches on Lesvos a river that ends a few feet from the sea. This beach can get busy in the summer especially on weekends.

Gera Hot Springs

Right behind the famous Thermal Springs of Gera there is a small stone beach for people who visit the spa. There are some areas where the hot spring water goes into the sea or close enough to make pools to mix with seawater. It's not a fantastic beach but few of the beaches in either of the two gulfs are. But the spa is great and being able to go swimming after a therapuetic bath is pretty nice. The Gulf of Gera is dotted with small tree shaded beaches.

Neos Kydonias

This small fishing town on the west coast about a half an hour north of Mytlini town has a very nice pebble beach, several psarotavernas known for their fresh fish, and a number of places to stay if you feel like spending more than an afternoon here.

Skala Mystegnon

This sand and pebble beach and small fishing boat harbor on the east coast of Lesvos around a half hour drive along the coast north of Mytilini has a very good psarotaverna, several actually, as well as a number of rooms and holiday homes to rent. You can get here by bus too. If you are looking for a low key beach town to get away to that won't feel like a tourist town you will probably like it here. The main village of Mystegnon is on a hill overlooking the sea.

Tsonia

This red sand beach in the northeastern part of Lesvos is a long way from anywhere except maybe Skala Sikaminias or Mandamados and the last part of the trip is on a small winding road. But it is worth it to swim in the clear seas and to eat at H Folia tou Koukou (The Cuckoos Nest) one of the best psarotavernas on Lesvos. If it is too crowded just go to the Blue Sea Taverna a few steps away.

Agios Ermogenis

This is one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere with a pine forest that goes right down to the sea, crystal clear water, and a nice little taverna. The catch is that it is very small and it is one of the most popular beaches for people from Mytilini town and in the summer unless you come here very early in the morning (like right after you get off the ferry like we used to do) it probably won't be your favorite beach. But if you come in the off season on a weekday there is a chance you may have it mostly to yourself and in my opinion it is worth a shot. Just drive from Mytilini towards the airport and keep on going until you see the signs for it.

Charamida Beach

This pebble beach is just before Ag Ermogenis if you are coming from Mytilini and it has plenty of room, lots of parking, beach beds and umbrellas and trees for shade if you don't feel like wasting your money. There are a couple beach bars with food and a taverna nearby. If Ag Ermogenis is too crowded just come here. It is also known as Karpoozi (watermelon) Beach because of the cafe of that name.

Paralia Aspropotamos

Below the town of Mantamados, famous for it's pottery and miracle working icon is Paralia Aspropotamos, a long stretch of sand with few amenities with the exception of the very beginning where there is a cafe with beach beds and umbrellas and a couple of nearby tavernas. We only found this beach because we came to buy pottery and stopped for lunch at the excellent family owned Teloneio. A nice day trip from Mytilini would be to come here for lunch, a swim and to check out the nearby Montamados pottery shops.

Plomari

I have not been here in years but it is a beauiful beach right at the edge of the city and continues down the coast to Ag Isidoros past hotels, beach bars, restaurants and old factories. Crystal clear sea is great for snorkeling and beyond the sand is a rocky shelf which fish love. Lots of things to see and do in Plomari which is the ouzo capital of Lesvos if not the world. See more about Plomari

Ag Isidoros

This is a continuation of the beach that begins at Plomari but with more hotels, restaurants, beach bars and sea activities. It can get very crowded here in the summer, especially on weekends, but if you are staying in or around Plomari these are probably the beaches where you will be swimming.

Tarti

One of the most popular beaches in Lesvos, Tarti is located on the SE coast sort of between the entrance to the Gulf of Gera and the town of Plomari. There are a couple tavernas on the beach and more nearby and a few scattered rooms and holiday homes to stay. There are beachbeds and umbrellas and some water sports. There are several other nice beaches nearby if it is too crowded like Tsilia, Tsafi and Ligonari

Nifida

The Gulf of Kaloni is like a shallow sea, separate from the Aegean, where the best sardines in Greece come from. It is mostly shallow and the win and waves churn up the sand and for some people it is not the crystal clear seas they hoped to find. But there are days when the sea is perfect and there are plenty of reasons to visit these beaches. Nifida for example has the Grigoris Psarotaverna, maybe the best seafood restaurant on Lesvos and swimming here either before or after a meal is as pleasurable as anywhere when the winds and waves have taken a holiday. If you are staying in Vatera this is a great spot to come for a change of scenary.

Skala Kaloni

Most likely if you are swimming in Kaloni it is because you are staying in Kaloni. The town was known as a center for low budget package tourists from the UK and also because of the birdwatchers who appear in the early spring because it is a major stop for migrating birds going between Africa and Europe. The sea is shallow and sandy, you can walk out 100 feet and it is still up to your ankles but if you have small children that is a good thing. There are great seafood restaurants and cafes on the beach and much of the island's sardine fishing fleet is based here. I would not come here for a swim unless I was eating sardines and drinking ouzo and the call of the sea became too much for me. But if you are staying in one of the many hotels in Skala Kaloni then this is your beach and if you happen to be a low budget package tourist from the UK it is probably just fine. More about Skala Kaloni

Ancient Phyrra/Achladeri

I have gone to this beach dozens of times and passed it maybe 100 times and never seen anyone swimming here. Ever. So why even mention it? Because this is the site of Ancient Phyrra and if you have a mask and snorkel and flippers you can swim through the streets of the submerged city. The beach is rocky and not very nice and if the wind has been blowing towards it maybe not clean enough to inspire you to explore it. But if you have a passion for archaeology you probably won't be able to resist. And Nondas Psarotaverna is one of the best fish restaurants on Lesvos so there is that too. It is located in the Gulf of Kaloni on the road from Kaloni to Polychnitou.

Mytilini Airport Beaches

How many places in the world can you get off your 737 jet, walk through the terminal, cross the street and go swimming at a beach? The beaches by the airport outside Mytilini town makes any flight delays bearable or even desirable. OK, they are not the best beaches in Lesvos but they are good enough to serve their purpose and the people who live nearby like them just fine.

There are plenty more beaches but you get the idea. If you are the type who thinks he might get bored going to the same beach every day then Lesvos is for you.

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