Lesvos Beyond The Shore : A Local's Guide to the Island's Most Beloved Swims

📍 15 Minutes from Mytilene : 1. Agios Ermogenis Beach Why go? A small, lovely beach featuring a blue & white church on the one side of the cliff. Avoid visiting during weekends or Monday and Wednesday as the shops are closed and locals go swimming - it gets too crowded and the water is not crystal clear anymore. Vibe: Serene, family-friendly, with turquoise water. Local tip: Travel to the church, light a candle and take some stunning photos. At the back of the church there are some stairs (this is the best spot for photos) 2. Charamida Beach Why go? Vibe: Relaxed Local secret: Try to go swimming at the end of the beach, past the 2 canteens where there is a changing room and a shower. The sea there is perfect! You can have your coffee or drink from the canteen that's close to this spot. How to reach them: Drive/Bus Parking: Free and there is a large area where you can park. If you take the bus you will have to walk 2-3 min as it leaves you on the main road where the 1st canteen is located.

In the East part of the island you can find many spots for swimming. One of them is Agios Isidoros in Plomari. Great turquoise waters and many beach bars where you can get food and drinks. Be careful, especially if you have kids, the water gets deep very quickly!!! Another one, after Plomari is Melinda but Agios Isidoros is much better if you ask me.

On the Southern part of the island, closer to the Golf of Kalloni, you can find Vatera - a beach that never ends. The waters there are also deep and kind of cold.

You can't leave the island without traveling to Eresos, or specifically Sakala Eresou. The vibe, the people, the waters and the experience is one of a kind. You can walk barefoot with your swimsuit all day and night. You didn't have to drive anywhere, all restaurants and cafes are within 5min walk, you park your car and you forget it until you leave the place.

Let's talk about the North side of the island, where the winds hit that part of the island 80% of the time and you mostly never go swimming there because of that. But if you do end up on this side, make sure to check these places. 1. If you are going to Petra / Molyvos, you should stop for a quick dive in Anaxos. Incredible beach (if it's not windy), with both locals and tourists. You can find sunbeds and umbrellas, most of them are free of charge but you need to get a coffee or something from the shop. 2. Another beach that seems to came out of a fairytale (completely different from the rest of the Island's beaches) is Chrysi Ammos. It's well hidden, and there are no shops, shade or sunbeds (you go at your own risk, but go prepared). Shallow waters and very warm compared to the rest of the island. Navigation is not easy and the road is a dirt road, not ideal for a small car.