Mytilene

Mytilene (or Mytilini) is a city on the island of Lesbos, Greece in the north Aegean Sea.

For great views over the city, head to the ruins of Mytilene's castle, perched on a steep hill north of the city.

The marketplace is one of the busiest in Greece, with many shops and cafes. The streets are closed to traffic while the stores are open.

The Matis Ouzo factory is located in the marketplace, where it has been for over 100 years.

There are several churches here including the Cathedral of Saint Athanasios, built at the end of the 16th Century and has a secret underground tomb. The largest church in Mytilini is Saint Therapon, built in 1860, which is just behind the harbour road in the market. Nearby is the Church of Saint Theodore, a triple-aisled basilica and the church of Saint Nicholas, a converted mosque.

Local museums include the Theophilos and Teriade Museums and the Archaeological Museum, in the neighbourhood between the ferry port and Mytilini Castle.

The area between the waterfront and the castle is a mixture of old Turkish houses and mansions. Below the Statue of Liberty is a swimming area of concrete platforms where the sea is clean and deep and cool.

Below the castle and the pine forest lies the town beach. There is another concrete swimming platform below the lighthouse just beyond the beach.

Local dishes include 'paidaikia' (lambchops), 'brizoles' (beef and pork steaks) and 'loukaniko' (sausage). Fast food places on the harbour road serve gyro and souvlakia and cafes on the waterfront serve sandwiches, pastas and international dishes.

Cruise ships anchor outside the harbour and tenders bring passengers ashore.

Local buses run from the port area.

Taxis are reasonably priced and should use meters.