Petra in Lesvos

The very pleasant tourist resort of Petra is located about 5 kilometres south of Molyvos, and about 3 kilometres east of Anaxos. I like Petra. Very much. It's a popular - and quite a big - package destination, yet I do not feel so.

The bay where Molyvos is located. Petra is behind the peninsula on the left.

The beautiful beach is broad and runs along almost the entire bay. The beach is lined with tavernas, bars and cafes. Behind the waterfront, you will find narrow alleys perfect for strolling, and you will find almost all kind of shopping you can imagine, everything from souvenir shops to shops selling local products, as well as rustic tavernas, pubs, gyro places and cosy cafes.

The beach of Petra in one direction.

The beach of Petra in the other direction.

The road between Molyvos and Anaxos goes through Petra.

Petra is a mishmash of old and new, of tourism and Greek everyday life, all intertwined in a very pleasant way. I can't say why exactly, but when I think of Petra, I see a bag of candy's in front of me, and since I'm very fond candy's, that's a good rating. :-)

Don't do like us and drive into Petra's alleys.

Ett av flera kaféer ovanför stranden i Petra.

One of the better tavernas is the Women's Co-operative of Petra which serves delicious Greek food. If you walk further into the alleys, the touristy Petra ends and the older districts begins. The houses are very beautiful, some of them are partly built in wood and several of them still have their old wooden balconies.

The old neighborhoods of Petra.

Some of the houses in the old districts are partly built of wood.

One of many beautiful wooden balconies in Petra.

When you have travelled in Greece a few times, you begin to recognize some of the names of some places. Most often, these names have a meaning, here are some examples: Skala (port), Psili Amos (fine sand) Akrotiri (peninsula), Paraskevi (Friday), Agia Anna (Holy Anna) and Faros (lighthouse).

The village of Petra as seen from rock Petra which has given the village its name.

Petra is also such a name, it means rock in Greek and of course there is a rock in the centre of the village, it is visible from far away and can not be missed. At the top of the rock there is a church called Glykfylousa Panagia. It is reached via 114 steps. The church does not differ much from other churches, but the view of Petra and the sea is formidable and worth every step.

Glykfylousa Panagia church in Petra.

According to a legend, a boat anchored outside Petra during a storm in the 16th century. On board there was an icon of Virgin Mary. The morning after it was discovered that the icon was missing. They searched and searched, but no icon could be found. In the evening they saw a strange light on the top of the rock. The captain climbed up and found the missing icon. He brought it back to the boat.

The courtyard of Glykfylousa Panagia church.

The next morning was the icon missing again. And guess what, it was back on top of the rock. Then they decided to build a church on the rock and keep the icon there. Ever since that day, the icon lives in the church on the rock of Petra. I have read exactly the same story many times, so many that I can not help smiling when I hear them being told. The same story is told about the icon in the Mamma-Mia Church in Skopelos.

Should you be tired of sunbathing on the beach, there are travel agencies that organize excursions, including day trips to Turkey, Jeep safaris, bus tours around Western Lesvos, boat excursions with BBQ, as well as sunset tours by boat, including to Skala Sikaminias. There is also a small lake with tame water turtles near Petra that is worth seeing.

The lake with tame water turtles near Petra.

ACCOMMODATION IN PETRA

Although Petra is a package resort, there are many accommodation options for those travelling independently. And a good thing is that many places are family-owned, as Niki Studios is a good example of.

Book Niki Studios here »

Book Annamaria Studios & Apartments here »

Book Little Bird Lesvos here »

Book other hotels in Petra here »

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU ARE IN PETRA

Don't miss Molyvos, which you can read about here »

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