Lesvos Mytilini Airport Mini Guide
Tell me why I should book a holiday to Lesvos?
It’s a large and beautiful island with its own water supply making the countryside greener that in other Aegean islands. Lesvos is just off the coast of Turkey and you can take day trips to the mainland for something different. In the cooler months there are great walks to be had in the forests of the island and it’s blessed with long sandy beaches. It has a fair bit of history to explore too with castles and evidence of the Ottoman occupation seen in many parts.
How do I get there?
Lesvos has its own airport, Mytilene International Airport, although many tourists come in by ferry. The airport is at the southern tip of the island, five miles from the main town of the same name. There are regular summer tourist charters from the UK and Europe but in winter you’ll need to take a connecting flight from
Athens,
Crete or Cyprus to get there. Transfers to resorts are efficient and quick, even to the more remote northern parts.
What’s the airport like?
It used to be very small when it first opened in the sixties but the arrival of charter flights in the 80s saw an expansion in its facilities. Today it is still small when contrasted with the number of tourists that arrive here and has only adequate facilities for an international airport. The terminal building is built almost on the water’s edge and you get a fantastic view of the island’s coast as you approach.
What can I expect when I arrive?
After disembarking you may have to walk to the terminal building which isn’t much of a problem as it’s only a short distance. Passport control can be a little slow but you’re still through in time for the luggage carousel to begin. After exiting customs you’ll find an information desk in the arrivals hall should you need advice on airport matters. There are also two tourist information desks which can help with onward travel and accommodation. If you’ve pre-booked your hire car, you’ll find the company’s desks easily enough, just to the side of the exit door. If choosing public transport for your onward journey you can buy bus tickets and get a timetable and routes at the information desk or tourist desks. The journey takes less than an hour, even to the furthest resorts whilst taxis are always on hand should you prefer that mode of transport. There are no banking facilities at the airport so make sure you have euros before you arrive.
What about facilities when I leave?
After check in you’ll find some small shops selling newspapers, magazines and packaged snacks and drinks and another selling local products which include quite a range of ouzo and ouzo related gifts. There’s a small restaurant serving basic hot and cold food together with beer, wine and soft drinks. After security you’ll find a reasonably well stocked duty free shop and a small bar serving cold snacks and drinks. As a mainly holiday destination, there’s no Wi-Fi at the airport.