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Skala Sykamineas on Lesvos

Skala Sykamineas (Skala Sikaminias) is one of the cutest fishing villages I have seen in Greece, and a place I think everyone travelling to Lesbos should visit. Especially if you are staying in Eftalou, Molyvos, Petra or Anaxos. The tiny village lies by the sea in northern Lesbos, and almost everything revolves around its charming little harbour with colourful fishing boats and cosy tavernas.

Skala Sykamineas is one of the cutest fishing villages I have seen in Greece.

From Molyvos it is about 14 kilometres to Skala Sykamineas if you take the coastal road. However, that road is not in very good condition, so it is better to take the main road via the village of Sykaminea, which lies about 300 metres above sea level. That route is approximately 19 kilometres. Only around 160 people live in Skala Sykamineas, but sometimes it feels as though there are more fishing boats than inhabitants. During the tourist season, excursion boats also run here from places such as Molyvos.

The harbour village of Skala Sykamineas to the left and the village of Sykaminea to the right.

The port of Skala Sykamineas on Lesvos.

There are almost more fishing boats than inhabitants in Skala Sykamineas.

Skala Sykamineas on Lesvos in Greece.

If you like colourful fishing boats, you will love Skala Sykamineas.

Skala Sykamineas is one of the cosiest fishing villages I have ever seen, and it is easy to understand why it appears on so many postcards. Around the delightful harbour there are two or three irresistible tavernas. Even if you are not hungry, it is difficult to resist sitting down at one of them, ordering something to eat or drink, and simply enjoying the tiny doll's-house harbour.

Tavernas and the Church of Panagia Gorgona in Skala Sykamineas.

Restaurants and tavernas in Skala Sykamineas.

The cosy little waterfront is lined with equally cosy tavernas.

If there is anywhere on Lesvos you should eat fresh fish and seafood, it is in Skala Sykamineas.

It is not every day you get to eat fresh fish this close to the fishing boats.

If there is one place on Lesbos where you should eat fresh fish and seafood, it is here in Skala Sykamineas. I have never seen so many fishing boats and fishermen in such a small area. Both the fishermen and their boats are also incredibly photogenic. So if you enjoy photography, you will love walking around here with your camera.

Church of the Mermaid Madonna in Skala Sikaminias, or Panagia Gorgona Church as it is also called.

The Church of the Mermaid Madonna, also known as the Church of Panagia Gorgona.

The tiny church is called Panagia Gorgona, roughly meaning the Virgin Mary the Mermaid, and it has become something of a symbol of Skala Sykamineas. The church is closely associated with the writer Stratis Myrivilis, who was born in the village of Sykaminea above the coast and wrote the novel Panagia Gorgona. According to tradition, there was once an unusual folk painting here depicting the Virgin Mary with the tail of a mermaid. The rock on which the church stands is considerably older than the church itself. It consists of lava from the Lepetymnos volcano that reached the sea around 18 million years ago.

Fishermen mending their nets in the shade of the Church of Panagia Gorgona.