Holidays in Lesvos – or Mytilini as it’s also known – are all about sitting on the shoreline at a seafood taverna listening to the waves and enjoying the traditional Greek charm at an affordable price. This is particularly rewarding at one of the cluster of resorts in the northwest of Lesvos – Molyvos, Petra and Anaxos – which benefit from spectacular sunsets across the Aegean Sea.

There’s also lots to see and do in Lesvos, especially if you like learning about the history of places you visit. From castles to natural hot springs, the attractions here are less about thrills and more about experiences. The people in Lesvos know a thing or two about how to make excellent food and drink, and as well as tasting it, you can learn how some of the world’s best ouzo and olive oil is made at distilleries and museums across the island.

A nature-lovers paradise, Lesvos is brimming with olive groves and has a large bay at the south that many rivers flow into. This means the island is unusually lush and green for such a warm country, attracting lots of rare birds to its wetlands and wildlife all over.  Despite so much to explore and see, there’s plenty of ways to do in within budget, for example, there’s regular and affordable tram and bus services operating across the island getting you where you want for less.

The resorts in Lesvos

With its laid-back vibe, sandy beach and selection of public outdoor pools, Anaxos is ideal for those wanting to relax and recharge their batteries, or top up their tan. Skala Kalloni is popular with beach lovers and windsurfing enthusiats, due to its shallow waters and gentle winds, while Molyvos boasts a fascinating historic centre, which has actually been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meanwhile Petra, with its long sandy beach and terracotta-topped dwellings, offers traditional charm and a glimpse of bygone times.

it’s very affordable and easy to travel between the resorts so you can get the full Lesvos experience even within your cheap Lesvos holiday budget.

Cheap days out in Lesvos

We all know the perfect way to have a low cost day is to enjoy the sea, sand and sun, but what else can you do in Lesvos to stay on track? Beyond the coastline there are a wealth of treasures to be explored in Lesvos including fascinating historic towns and medieval sites. Top of visitors’ to-do lists is a trip to the Petrified Forest of Lesvos, which incorporates a forest, museum and nature reserve. The Castle of Mytilene, situated between the city’s ports, is another big draw.

A favourite with hikers, Skala Kalloni is famous for its wildlife and birdwatching – a fascinating free pastime, which adds the opportunity to spot some rare species into the bargain.

Or you can take a stroll around Molyvos town centre with its cobbled streets and impressive castle while doing a spot of window-shopping along the way. In Petra there are numerous buildings of interest to look at including the poetically named Our Lady of the Sweet Kiss Church and an 18th-century mansion turned museum called Vareltzidena’s house. Nature lovers may want to visit the three small islands just off the coast that are designated nature reserves – Rabbit Island even has an observation centre, ideal for spotting a variety of rare birds and wildlife.