Myrina, Lemnos – Exploring Lemnos (Limnos) Island from Myrina

Lemnos (or Limnos) is another overlooked Greek island in the North Aegean, but larger and more accessible than Samothraki island. Myrina, the harbor and also the capital of Lemnos, is the place to stay while exploring this remote island.

About Lemnos and its Capital – Myrina

According to Greek mythology, Lemnos is also where Zeus exiled his son Hephaestus. The god of fire and iron must have felt at home on this volcanic island. Legend says he built his workshop here and later taught the natives the art of crafting iron.

Lemnos (or Limnos) has a 3000 years long history. The capital, Myrina was already inhabited around 1000 BC. It changed rulers many times. Athenians, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, then Turks conquered the island.

Modern Myrina is standing exactly where the ancient town was. It covers two seashores, separated by a high peninsula. Both shores are full of restaurants where you can try fresh seafood and traditional Greek dishes.

The town has traditional two-story houses and narrow streets shaded by colorful bougainvillea flowers.

How to get to Myrina, Lemnos

You can get to Myrina, Lemnos from Thessaloniki on a domestic flight (about 45 minutes) or by ferry from Kavala (about 3 hours). There is also an option to cross by ferry from Piraeus (Athens), but the ride takes more than 16 hours.

Though Myrina is perfectly walkable, you will need a car to explore the rest of this beautiful island. There are a couple of car rental offices right by Myrina port.

Exploring Lemnos from Myrina

Though it’s not as famous as Santorini, Mykonos, or Milos island, Lemnos has a diverse landscape and a lot to offer. Here are a few ideas:

Myrina Castle

An acropolis stood on the high rock separating the two seashores of Myrina since ancient times. Byzantines built a medieval castle on the same spot, and later Venetians rebuilt the castle to its current form.

Today, the castle is free to visit, and it is also home to deers that locals feed. Sometimes, a few deers come down to the port, which is quite a rare thing to see.

Explore the streets in Myrina

The city is quiet in the morning but very lively in the evening. Walk on Kida street and browse through the crafts shops. You will also find a couple of great breakfast places in this area.

The area around Kida street reminded me of the atmosphere of Plaka in Athens.

Have dinner by the sea

Choose one of the many restaurants by the sea for dinner. In fact, you can choose a different restaurant for each night you spend on the island. There are many taverns in the area by the fishermen’s port and also on the promenade on the other side of the castle.

Explore the sandy beaches

Sandy beaches stretch around Lemnos for many kilometers. The water is crystal clear, and the weather is great for at least 6 months every year. However, the season doesn’t really start until the middle of June. The beaches are never packed on this remote island, so it’s a great option to enjoy the beach with some degree of social distancing.

Explore the traditional Lemnos villages

The prettiest village in Lemnos is Nea Koutali, by Moudros bay. The village is about 17 km from Myrina. The stone houses are beautiful here, with their red tile roofs.

Water sports

Explore the bays around Myrina from a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard and find the hidden beaches along the coast and some amazing views.

Catch an amazing sunset over Mount Athos

Mount Athos is always visible from the Myrina side of Lemnos Island. On a clear day, you can catch a beautiful sunset over this spiritual place.

There are many other things to discover on this beautiful island: thermal waters, sand dunes, wetlands, and also archaeological finds. This is just an introduction to a beautiful place where you can spend a lazy vacation or an active exploring one as well.

Where to stay in Myrina

Archontiko Hotel is perfectly located in the center of Myrina, a traditional hotel featuring all modern comforts.

Amigdalies is a good apartment option if you prefer this type of accommodation. It is also within walking distance to the port and town center.

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Have you ever been to a Greek island? Which is your favorite? Tell me all about it in the comments below.