Mytilene

Lesvos is the third largest island in Greece

Lesvos in the North Aegean is the third largest island in Greece, but until recently relatively unknown to foreign tourists.

It's a prosperous and fertile island, rich in oil from countless olive trees, and famous for its ouzo distilleries, which has never needed to entice visitors to boost the economy.

The only real holiday resort lies up in the north-west corner, a couple of hours drive from the capital Mytilene, centred upon the picture postcard village of Molyvos. The ruins of a Genoese castle crown the top of a hill, with stunning views across to the Turkish mainland, watching over the village houses built of natural local stone with red-tiled roofs, as they tumble down the narrow cobbled streets to a tiny fishing harbour with waterside restaurants and cafés. In the evening the castle is often illuminated, and the lights of the village bars and tavernas are reflected in the calm waters. It's easy to see why Greek poets, artists and film stars love the place!