Start your exciting journey from historic Myrina, the capital and port, built on the site of the ancient city. Myrina is divided into two parts, the Turkish Shore (Tourkikos Gialos) and the Greek Shore (Romeikos Gialos). Wander its passageways and admire the imposing mansions on the waterfront. Hike to the Castle that dominates the city, built in the 12th century, by emperor Komninos; there you shall enjoy a unique view. You can also visit the Archaeological Museum in the beautiful 19th-century neoclassical building, where you will see important findings from various periods.
Put your comfy shoes on and go to Ammothines (Pachies Ammoudes), considered the only European desert, stretching across 70 acres of sand dunes that resembles the Sahara. The experience will be unforgettable! You can also try sandboarding and then cool off with a swim in the nearby beach of Gomati.
Falakra is also an exotic, mysterious landscape that will fascinate you, thanks to its unique volcanic spherical formations, in yellow-red colours, with smooth texture created by the mixing of volcanic lava with the waves.
Visit the archaeological site of Hephaestia, with the famous sanctuary of the Great Goddess of Lemnos, but also the restored theatre that hosts events. At the cape of Chloe you will find the great Sanctuary of Cabeiri, dedicated to Hephaestus and looking towards the Cabeirian sanctuary of Samothrace. According to mythology, Cabeiri were the children of Hephaestus and the Cabeirian Mysteries that were performed in the sanctuary were related to nature and fertility. From there you will discover the narrow opening that leads to the cave of Philoctetes, where you can also take a swim.
Traces of a petrified forest have been found on the island. The fossils are displayed in the Town Hall of Moudros, but if you go to the village of Varos you will find a fenced fossilized trunk, which was discovered relatively recently. Don’t say no to a walk in the famous wetland, with the salty lakes of Aliki, Chortarolimni and Asprolimni, where more than 30 species of rare, protected birds find shelter. You will be impressed by the pink flamingos, the herons, little egrets, lesser kestrels or chukar partridges.
In Poliochni you will find four generations of settlements from the early Bronze Age and an organized urban city with traces of what could have been the first Parliament! Afterwards, you can swim in the nearby beach of Kokkinovrachos. It is also worth hiking to the top of Kakkavos and discovering the chapel of Panagia Kakaviotissa tucked in the rocks, a beautiful chapel, the only one in the world without a roof.
One of the most beautiful villages is Kontias tucked in a pine-covered hill, with stone mansions and half-ruined windmills. Visit the Gallery of Contemporary Balkan Art, with works of important Balkan artists who each saw Lemnos differently. There are also temporary exhibitions of Greek and foreign artists. In the lowland village of Kontopouli with its stone houses, you will find pottery and hagiography workshops. The village was a place of exile for the great Greek poet, Giannis Ritsos.