The Basics
| Transportation | Air, ferry, hydrofoil |
|---|---|
| Main Attractions | Local wine and honey, theraputic waters |
| Food | Many good choices |
| Accommodations | Many good choices |
Limnos Characteristics
Limnos is different in
appearance from the other islands of its group. With 478 sq. km of land mass
and 260 km of coast, it's a very gentle and only moderately hilly island. It's lush in spring and tinder dry in the summer. This island is a well kept secret with about 16,000 friendly inhabitants.
Although Limnos is off the beaten track, it's easy enough to reach and is very manageable. It's one of the few Greek islands able to support a herd of deer.
The harbor near the mouth of the Dardanelles has made Limnos an island of strategic importance and there have been many military uses of this location.
Island Features
The island is known for its wonderful honey,
wildflowers, herd of deer and therapeutic hot springs. There are also many goats.
This was the holy island of the smithy god Hephaistos (Vulcan). Its volcanic past is evident today in its astringent hot springs and the sulphuric Limnian earth, which is reputed to heal wounds and cure stomach aches.
Limnos is dotted with lovely golden
wheat fields and many goats. Limnos, has
been known for its wine production since ancient times.
Limnos posseses beautiful sandy beaches. The island is almost cut in half by the beautiful Bay of Moudros. Many flamingos feed in its eastern lakes.
Towns
Myrina is the capital and main harbor. It is the only town of any size. It is sometimes called Kastro, and has a castle built over a rocky promontory over its sandy shore.
The town is distinctly Limnian, although you can see Turkish and Thracian styled features. The kastro is not well preserved, but a walk up to it provides a good view. The kastro divides the waterfront into a Turkish harbor on the south where the commercial port is. To the north is the main long sandy beach called Romaikos. Much of the night life takes place along this section of the waterfront.
The north port includes the pretty beach Akti Myrina, which is where the Amazons of Limnos tossed their husbands into the sea. Off Romaikos Beach you can see the superb collection at the Archaeology Museum.
Around Myrina
North of Myrina the beaches are rather pebbly, but good for children, especially at Riha Nera. Two other good beaches are Avlonas and Ag. Ioannis. North of Ag. Ioannis a rough track leads to a three-pronged promentory which is the best sunset watching spot on the island.
The beaches south of Myrina are more popular. The bays below Platis and Thanos are especially nice. Kontias, a lively red-tiled village further on, has a good beach. Kontias is also well-known for its ouzo. There's a Myceaean tower further south, as well as the sandy beach at Evgati.
The best beach is at Nea Koutalis. There's a Nautical Tradition Museum nearby.
The second largest town, with a military influence very evident, is Moudros. There are 800 graves in the British Commonwealth war cemetery at Moudros. Both the military and civilian airports are located in this area.
Northeast of the airport on Pournias Bay is the walled medieval capital of Kotsinas. The church here is Zoodochos Pigi, surrounded by a sleepy village. The wetlands nearby are full of pink flamingoes in winter. Many other birds migrate here and the area was made a conservation area a few years ago.
Across Tigani Bay, Chloi (or Kavirio) is the site of the sanctuary of the Underworld dieties. The foundations and some Doric columns from the sanctuary remain and are open for tours.
The most important archaeological site is Poliochne. Seven layers of civilization have been uncovered here. The oldest predates the Egyptian dynasties. Parts of all seven layers can be seen. The site was leveled by an earthquake in 2100 BC and was never rebuilt.
Drinking and Dining
The best choices are in Myrina, where you will find traditional cafes and taverna along the waterfront. There are decent eateries in the smaller villages as well, but not as many choices.
Accommodations
See our greece hotels for a complete look at accommodations available on this island.
History
Limmos' earliest inhabitants date from 4000 BC and were the most advanced Neolithic civilization of the Aegean. Some think that they were the first to colonize ancient Troy. They were non Greek and no one is really sure where they came from. During the Persian war, the Limnians captured some Athenian women and had children by them. When the children began putting on airs, the Limnians slaughtered them, giving rise the the phrase Limnian deeds, which means something especially atrocious. The gods punished them by making the woman and animals barren, and the only cure was to surrender their independence to Athens.
The Venetians took Limnos in the 13th Century. Later the Turks held the island. During the Gallipoli campaign, Moudros Bay was the Allied naval base.
Hints from Harry
Bus service is not up to par on Limnos. Try renting a car or motorcycle instead. See more pictures of Limnos.
Maps
Click the map below to see a larger version (use the Back button to return to this page).
The Complete Details
| Transportation Facts |
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| Island Resources |
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