Mytilene (Μυτιλήνη; also written Mitilini) is the main port and capital of Lesvos.
Mytilene is an early Greek city, probably inhabited since the 10th century BC. Ancient Mytilene was an islet, just to the east off the coast of Lesvos, where now the medieval castle stands, separated from the larger island by the channel of Euripus, which connected the north harbour (also called the "old harbour") and the south harbour (now called the "new harbour"). The channel was later filled, thereby joining the islet to the larger island. The south harbour is the main harbour, protected by a long pier; it has an outer part containing the marina and commercial port on one side and the ferry port at the other side, with in between an almost circular small inner harbour whose waterfront is formed by P. Kountouriotou street (Π. Κουντουριώτου).
See Lesvos.
Mytilene is not very large (about 30,000 inhabitants) and lies partly on a flat ground although the western side of town is on a hill that rises to the ancient theatre; a good way to explore the city is by walking. Rent a car from Economy car hires, P. kountouriotou 87 Mytilene, +302251037875 . Hire a car from Lesvos rent a car, kountouriotou 87 Mytilene, +302251037337
Information can be obtained from the municipal Tourist Information Office, Sappho Square (also known as Sapfous Square, at the north side – the middle section – of the inner harbour), +30 22510 44165.
Castle of Mytilene, 39.111946°, 26.562085°. The medieval (Genovese) castle. 2021-09-11
The "old" Archaeological Museum, located at Argiri Eftalioti street 7, close to the statue of liberty at the main harbour. (The museum is temporarily closed but the New Museum a short distance away up the hill is open.) Open 08:30–15:30, closed Mondays.
Archaeological Museum of Mytilene, Skra 26, Mitilini 811 00, 39.1061°, 26.5601°, +302251040223, efales@culture.gr. W-M 08:30-15:30. €4 2021-07-02
Saint Therapon, 39.105145°, 26.554815°. 2021-09-11
Yeni Mosque, 39.110417°, 26.557833°. 2021-09-11
Çarşı Hamam, 39.110417°, 26.557139°. 2021-09-11
Several taverns can be found on the pedestrian-only pier at the far south side of the inner south harbour (as it were the continuation of Kountouriotou street lining the inner harbour, officially called Christouyennon 1944 street). Another row of taverns is found at the north harbour, lining the stretch of Navmachios Ellis boulevard between Ermou and Mikras Asias streets.
An excellent and inexpensive taverna near the North Harbour at the end of Ermou Street is To Kastro; George, the owner, is a talented magician as well as a pleasant host and speaks some English.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division