Limnos is one of the Greek North Eastern Aegean Islands located midway between the Athos Peninsula on mainland Greece and the west coast of Turkey near the Straits of the Dardanelles.
The island's strategic location means it has long been an important military base and it's still home to a large air force contingent. The islanders' reliance on the military rather than foreign visitors as a source of income, coupled with the relative remoteness of Limnos, have enabled the island to remain virtually unscathed by mass tourism. But increasing numbers of foreign holidaymakers are now arriving on Limnos attracted by the tranquility of the place, its many fine beaches and important archaeological sites.
During high season there are regular Olympic Airways flights connecting Limnos with Athens , Thessaloniki and Lesvos . The new civilian airport is 19 kilometres east of the capital Myrina and shares a runway with the island's air force base. There are regular ferry services to and from the mainland ports of Kavala, Rafina, Piraeus , Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis. Hydrofoil services to the mainland via Samothraki are less frequent and tend to be unreliable.
If you're coming by boat you'll arrive at Myrina on the west coast - a bustling port town dominated by the ruins of a 13 th century Venetian castle. The town may not be one of the prettiest in the Aegean but it retains its essentially Greek character without the proliferation of tourist trappings which have dented the charm of so many island capitals. Old fashioned "kafeneia" bars line the cobbled streets along with whitewashed stone houses, imposing Turkish mansions and back street shops selling local produce such as island wine and herbal honey. Limnos is a volcanic island and the richness of its soil allows for the production of some excellent wines, particularly dry white, rose and retsina.
Limnos Beaches
Limnos has numerous sandy, uncrowded beaches which are among the best in the Aegean. Most of the beache s are gently shelving with warm shallow water making them ideal for families. Various watersports including windsurfing and water ski-ing are available at the most popular seaside spots but with the benefit of your own transport you won't have any trouble finding a deserted beach even in high season.
The main town beach in the capital Myrina is Romaikos Yialos - a long stretch of sand well served with bars, tavernas and other tourist facilities. It starts beyond the castle to the north of the port. One of the most popular beaches on the island is Riha Nera, just over the headland from Romaikos Yialos. The beach offers watersports in the summer months and lives up to its name which means "shallow water", so it's safe for youngsters.
The less crowded beach of Avlonas lies beyond Riha Nera, facing two islets. It's largely unspoilt if you don't count the luxurious Porto Marina Palace holiday complex at its southern end.
Agios Ioannis beach, six kilometres north along the coast from Myrina, has an unusual seasonal taverna with tables surrounded by huge volcanic rocks. The first main beach south of the capital is the 700-metre sandy stretch at Platy which offers bars, tavernas, self-catering studios and watersports.
Aound Cape Tigani in the south west corner of Limnos there's scenic Paralia Thanous which is one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on the island. You reach it via a 1.5 kilometre paved road leading down from the pretty village of Thanos. The beach is flanked by strange-looking volcanic rocks and on a clear day you can see as far as the remote island of Agios Efstratios.
Limnos Night Life
Limnos may not have the hottest nightlife in the Aegean but the island offers many excellent restaurants, plenty of lively bars and some late night dance spots on the outskirts of the capital. Like most Greek islanders, the locals love their festivals so don't miss the chance to join in a traditional knees-up in honour of one of the island's patron saints.
If you're a fish fan you'll think you've died and gone to heaven when you arrive on the island which is famous for the high standard of its seafood tavernas. Limnos' location at the mouth of the Dardanelles puts it in the path of many migratory fish which get snapped up by local boats and served beautifully fresh at the numerous seafood tavernas in the capital and villages around the island.
There's a cluster of good fish tavernas around the port in Myrina including To Limanaki where you pick your meal straight from the tank. A cheaper but popular alternative in town is O Platanos which draws crowds of locals and visitors alike on summer evenings. You'll find it on a charming small square beneath two huge plane trees halfway along Kyda, the main thoroughfare.
