Making the most of Mitilini Lesbos
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Mytilene, or Mitilini, is arranged around the harbour, where tenders bring passengers ashore. Duty-free shopping is available.
Carry the printable map ashore.
Extensive castle ruins occupy a steep hill north of Mitilini, offering rewarding exploration and fine city and sea views from the ramparts. Justinian founded the kastro in the 6th century A.D.; the Genoese restored and extended it in 1737.
During their occupation, the Turks also renovated the fortress and constructed substantial additions. Fragments of marble columns embedded at several points in its walls are blocks the Genoese removed from a 7th-century-B.C. Temple of Apollo.
Find the underground cistern at the castle precinct's northern end. Domed vaults reflected in the pool below make this echoing chamber a beautiful space. During summer, the castle occasionally becomes a performing-arts centre.
Getting around
The town's finest sight is the fortress overlooking the harbour, approximately a 15-minute uphill walk from the tender landing, although the incline is not steep. Its extensive ruins have informative signs throughout, and admission costs a few Euros.
Local buses travel the principal roads and depart from the port.
Purchase bus tickets over the counter at local coffee shops or small deli shops. Mitilini, the major city, contains the principal bus stop and information station.
Taxis are inexpensive and most use meters, although they drive extremely fast. Mitilini-based cabs are yellow and generally turbo Opels. Those based elsewhere are grey-coloured, rarely use a meter and mainly charge fixed fares for journeys between places outside Mitilini, at around 1 Euro per km.
Nearby places
Molivos, or Molyvos, was ancient Methymna and is known for Gattilusi Castle and its fully preserved traditional architecture.
Food and shopping
Walk along Ermou, the principal shopping street connecting south port with north port. At its southern end, pass the fish market selling sardines, mullet and octopus. Narrow side streets contain antique shops and old mansions. The Agora, or main market, stands at Ermou's end near the north harbour.
Money
The local currency is the Euro.
Opening Hours and
Public services open Monday to Friday between 8.00am and 2.00pm. Shops and specialist retailers trade Monday to Friday from 9am to 1.30pm, reopening from 5pm to 9pm; Saturday hours are 9am to 2pm. Supermarkets operate Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm, and Saturdays, 9am to 6pm. Most tourist and convenience shops have no set hours and usually stay open from dawn until long after midnight in the summer season.