Essential information for Lesvos

Key facts

Capital City: Mytilene

Population: Approx. 90,000

Religion: Greek Orthodox

Language: Greek

Currency: Euro

Time Difference: GMT +2hr

Flight duration: 4 hours from London Heathrow to Mytilene International Airport

Health and safety

As with any holiday, you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself and your family on your trip. It’s also a good idea to apply for a free European Health Insurance Card EHIC before leaving the UK as this entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Greek nationals. It won’t, however, cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment.

If you’re booking a Greek island holiday specifically to take part in sports or watersports, including hiking, you should make sure your insurance covers this. See our holiday extras page for more information, and for the latest health and safety information visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/health.

Passports and visas

British citizens don’t need a visa to enter Greece but must have a valid passport. By law, you must carry your passport with you and may need to show it when paying by credit card. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit this page.

Getting around

Mytilene International Airport is the only commercial airport on the island of Lesvos, and is the primary point of entry for visitors starting their cheap package holidays to Greece. The two most popular coastal spots on the island are Molyvos and Petra, both of which will take just over an hour to reach. The quickest way is straight through the island, but slightly lengthier coastal routes offer the best views. It’s also possible to fly to Thessaloniki International Airport on the mainland and take a ferry to Lesvos.

Once you’ve touched down in Lesvos, you may wish to hire a car if you want to travel between towns and explore the sites on your own time. There are public buses that connect major towns and allow for cheaper travel. If you’re only planning to travel on rare occasions, you can hail a taxi or get your hotel to book one for you.

Advice for travellers with children

Because Lesvos doesn’t have many purpose-built tourist destinations, it doesn’t have the waterparks and mini golf courses found on other Greek islands. Instead, it’s sprinkled with history museums, olive oil mills and archaeological sites that’ll keep inquisitive kids occupied.

There are beaches that can be enjoyed by everyone, and most hotels and restaurants are built for holiday-goers of all ages, with plenty of activities to keep everyone amused.

Electricity

Connector type: Round, two-pin plugs

Voltage info: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz

Emergency information

Call 112 for all emergencies and the operator will put you through to the police, fire brigade or ambulance service. The line is operated in five languages including English.

British Consulate

There is no British Consulate on the island of Lesvos, the closest offices are in Athens. They can be reached by telephone Monday to Friday, from 8am to 3pm.

Address: 1, Ploutarchou str, 10675, Athens, Greece

Email: information.athens@fco.gov.uk

Telephone: (+30) 210 7272 600

Hospitals

Mytilene General Hospital

Mytilene 811 00, Mytilene, Greece

Telephone: (+30) 699 366 9811