Lemnos

Lemnos is one of the prettiest islands in the far northern corner of the Aegean Sea. It’s an off-the-beaten-path destination for nature exploration and relaxing holidays. 

On our travel guide, you can find useful information about beaches, attractions and ferry schedules to Lemnos. Book your ferry tickets to Lemnos online on Ferryhopper!

Myrina, the beautiful capital of Lemnos

Vacation in Lemnos

Lemnos (or Limnos) is a beautiful island with distinct topography. The volcanic past of the island has blessed Lemnos with amazing landscapes, where you can enjoy peaceful holidays in nature. 

The island is famous for its golden sand beaches, traditional villages, salt lakes, caves, natural reserves, impressive rock formations, and sand dunes! If you love hiking, Lemnos is the perfect destination.

Moreover, Lemnos is a lively island with a vibrant nightlife. There are many laid-back entertainment options, as well as loud clubs and bars.

How to get to Lemnos

You can travel to Lemnos from mainland Greece, and specifically from the ports of Piraeus and Lavrio in Athens, as well as Kavala in Northern Greece.

The best way to reach Lemnos from Athens is from the port of Lavrio. If you’re in Northern Greece, you can travel by ferry from Kavala to Lemnos throughout the year. This is the fastest ferry crossing to Lemnos. 

Find more information about ferry routes and schedules to Lemnos below.

Moreover, there’s an international airport in Lemnos, located about 22 km away from Myrina, the capital and main port of Lemnos.

The ruins of the Sanctuary of Kabeiroi in Lemnos

What to do in Lemnos

Lemnos is an exciting destination, where you can combine cultural sightseeing with amazing beaches, impressive sceneries and fun nights! 

There are remote and popular beaches of exquisite beauty, many archaeological sites of great historical interest, as well as rare natural sites. Visit natural reserves, mingle with locals at the quaint villages and try delicious local products.

Beaches in Lemnos

You can swim in many amazing beaches along the coast of Lemnos. There are large beaches, secluded coves and remote bays with clear blue waters. Most beaches offer visitor amenities and are great for families, couples, as well as groups of friends! 

Here are 9 amazing beaches on the island:

1. Mikro Fanaraki: with shallow crystal-clear waters, this small sandy beach is one of the best in Lemnos. It’s easily accessible by car and there is plenty of parking space, as well as sun loungers, umbrellas and a beach bar. The famous Cave of the Seal is at walking distance from the beach.
2. Plati: it’s one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in Lemnos. This 700 m sandy beach has shallow emerald green waters. With many visitor amenities and a kids’ playground, Plati is ideal for families. 
3. Keros: Keros is the ultimate island beach! The sand dunes and pine tree forest create an amazing scenery. There are umbrellas, sun loungers, beach bars, and a beach volley court. You can go camping in the forest or try windsurfing in safety, as the waters are shallow despite the wind.
4. Gomati: it’s a golden sand beach with dreamy crystal-clear waters. There is a taverna, a beach bar, umbrellas, and sun loungers. It’s also popular with campers.
5. Kokkina (Fakos): this beach is great if you’re looking for peace and seclusion. You can get there via a dirt road, followed by a short hike. There are red rocks surrounding the coast and the beach is covered with thin white sand and white pebbles. Make sure you bring snacks, water and an umbrella, as there are no visitor amenities.
6. Diapori: Diapori is a large sandy beach of exceptional beauty. There are umbrellas, sun loungers and a traditional Greek restaurant on the east side of the beach. The area is great for hiking on beautiful trails.
7. Thanos: the large sandy beach is one of the most popular in Lemnos. There are umbrellas, sun loungers, tavernas, cafés, a beach volley court, and water sports centers.
8. Zematas: located 40 km northeast of Myrina, this is a popular white-sand beach with clear shallow waters and some trees for shade. The salt lakes of Aliki and Hortarolimni can be found nearby. 
9. Neftina: it is considered the best beach in Lemnos. Neftina has thin white sand, heavenly waters and trees. The small stream emptying into the sea creates an amazing scenery. Bear in mind there are large waves when the wind blows from the north.

The Cave of the Seal by the beach of Mikro Fanaraki

Sightseeing in Lemnos

The island has been inhabited since Prehistory and it’s a paradise of archaeological sites and monuments. At the same time, there are amazing natural sites due to the interesting topography of the island.

If you are wondering what to see in Lemnos, we suggest you visit:

• The Castle of Myrina
• The Archaeological site of Poliochni, dating back to 4,000 BCE
• The stone-built houses in the villages of Lemnos
• The Aliki Salt Lagoon
• The sand dunes (Pachies Ammoudies) on the north part of the island
• The Archaeological site and the ancient theater of Ifestia
• The Sanctuary of Cabeiri (Kabeirioi) 
• The Church of Panagia Kakaviotissa
• The Cave of Philoctetes
• The Cave of the Seal
• The Faraklo Geological Park
• The Archaeological Museum of Lemnos
• The Folklore Museum in Portianos

Tip: you may spot wild deer at the Castle of Myrina!

The impressive Myrina Castle by the port

Activities in Lemnos

The island of Lemnos is also a great destination for surf lovers and sports enthusiasts. Here you can find the top 10 activities to do in Lemnos:

1. Go windsurfing at the popular beaches of Keros and Kotsinas
2. Explore the ruins of Hephaestia and visit the Sanctuary of the Cabeiri (Kabeirioi)         
3. Go flamingo watching in the lake of Alyki
4. Taste the delicious local cheeses such as kalathaki limnou and feta cheese
5. Visit the lunar landscape of the Faraklo lava formations
6. Go wine tasting to try Limnio and Muscat of Alexandria local varieties
7. Take a boat tour to the nearby island of Samothrace
8. Go sandboarding on the dunes of Ammothines
9. Take the hiking trails leading to the Castle of Myrina or the Petrified Forest
10. Try scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters around Lemnos

Nightlife in Lemnos

Can you have fun at night in Lemnos? Definitely! There are many options for entertainment on the island. Most cafés, bars, restaurants, and clubs are in Myrina, but there are kafeneia and cute bars all over the island. 

You can enjoy delicious cocktails in a lounge atmosphere, dance till midnight at one of the dance clubs and enjoy mouthwatering dishes at one of the family-friendly restaurants.

One of the liveliest areas of the island is Romeikos Gialos beach in Myrina, while Moudros and Plati are great for night walks, food and drinks by the sea.

Food in Lemnos

Lemnos is a food lover’s paradise! Gastronomy tourism is big on the island and you can see for yourself by visiting one of the restaurants and traditional tavernas. 

Try fresh fish, mouthwatering stews and more local delicacies. There are also wineries and artisanal cheese factories, where you can taste superb-quality products and learn about local production. 

Here are some of our favorite dishes and products of Lemnos:

• kouneli stifado (rabbit stew)
• kokoras stifado (rooster stew)
• fresh fish and seafood
• kalathaki (soft white cheese)
• flomaria (traditional pasta)
• feta cheese
• thyme honey
• spoon sweets
• tarhana
• barley rusks

Villages in Lemnos

Myrina, the capital of Lemnos, is on the western coast of the island and it’s home to the port. The village of Myrina is a beautiful destination with many visitor amenities and quaint corners. 

There are many more villages on the island, where you can admire the traditional architecture and catch a glimpse of the local island life. Ferryhopper suggests that you visit the following villages in Lemnos:

• Myrina
• Kontopouli
• Plaka
• Romanou
• Kontias
• Atsiki
• Fisini
• Katalakko

“Ammothines”, impressive sand dunes in the island of Lemnos

Useful information about Lemnos

In Myrina, Moudros and other villages on the island, there are many visitor amenities, including shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, and ATMs. There’s also a hospital in Myrina and many gas stations all over the island. 

The port of Lemnos is on the western coast, in the village of Myrina. It is a 25-minute drive from the port to the international airport of Lemnos.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Lemnos

Find some useful phone numbers for your trip to Lemnos below:

• Port Authority of Lemnos: +302254022225
• General Hospital of Lemnos: +302254350400
• Police Station of Myrina: +302254022200
• Public bus service (KTEL) of Lemnos: +302254022464
• European Emergency Number: 112

Transportation in Lemnos

We recommend that you bring your own vehicle or rent one there, to better explore and enjoy the beauties of Lemnos. No worries if you’re not driving though! 

The public bus network of the island is well-developed, as there are buses from Myrina and the port to all major villages and beaches in Lemnos, as well as to the airport.

Ports in Lemnos

Lemnos has one main port, which is also the island’s capital. Myrina serves all ferry routes from mainland Greece and other Aegean islands. You can easily walk to the port from the village of Myrina and there are public buses from the most popular villages on the island. 

The port is well-developed and there are many traveler amenities in the area. You can find hotels, grocery stores, car rentals, restaurants, cafés, and a parking lot.

Island hopping from Lemnos

From the beautiful island of Lemnos, you can catch a ferry to more amazing destinations in the Aegean Sea. There are regular ferry routes to the Cyclades and the North Aegean Sea. 

If you’re thinking of going island hopping in Greece, there are direct ferries from Lemnos to the following islands:

• Agios Efstratios
• Lesvos
• Ikaria
• Samos
• Mykonos
• Syros
• Fournoi
• Chios

On Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries, you can see all ferry routes and schedules from the port of Lemnos to plan the perfect island-hopping adventure in the Aegean Sea!

Hiking through the beautiful mountainous landscape in Lemnos

Lemnos ferry: schedules and tickets

Lemnos is in the Northeast Aegean Sea, close to the islands of Agios Efstratios, Lesbos, Thassos, and Samothraki. There are frequent ferry routes from mainland Greece to Lemnos year-round. 

Ferries traveling to Lemnos depart from the ports of Piraeus and Lavrio in Athens, as well as Kavala in Northern Greece. The routes are normally operated by Blue Star Ferries and Seajets. 

Here, you can discover everything you might need on ferry connections to Lemnos: 

• Ferry Piraeus - Lemnos: the ferry crossing from Piraeus to Lemnos is available throughout the year. There are 2 weekly sailings and the journey duration is an average of 20 hours depending on the itinerary.
• Ferry Lavrio - Lemnos: there are 2-4 weekly Lavrio to Lemnos ferry routes. The route is active all year round and it’s the fastest ferry route from Athens to Lemnos, with a duration of 9.5 hours on average.
• Ferry Kavala - Lemnos: there are year-round ferry routes from Kavala to Lemnos. It’s the easiest way to reach the island from the northern part of Greece. There are 1-2 daily crossings during summer and 3-4 weekly ferry routes off-season. The trip duration is approximately 4-4.5 hours.

Tip: the route from Athens to Lemnos is quite long, so it’s a great idea to book a cabin or a numbered seat and enjoy the crossing in comfort.

Intricate rock formations in Faraklo, Lesvos

Where to book ferry tickets to Lemnos online

Can’t wait to discover the magical natural sites and beaches of Lemnos? Book cheap ferry tickets on Ferryhopper easily and quickly! Find all the information you need about ferry schedules and vacations in Lemnos, to easily plan your trip.