Pasiphae Hotel - Skala Kalloni

About the Area

On Lesvos you still find the genuine, friendly atmosphere, unspoiled nature and unexploited historical and cultural sites so rare in modern Europe.

The location of the hotel in Google maps.

Hotel Pasiphae is located right in the heart of Lesvos, in Skala Kallonis by the large Gulf of Kalloni. In the local area is much to see, but here is also good to simply be.

Skala Kallonis: Village and Beach

From the hotel it is only 300 m to the beach, and further on you find the charming fishing village of Skala Kallonis, the name meaning "the harbor that belongs to the village (Kalloni)".

Here you meet honest and including people in the mini markets, souvenir shops, cafés, in the square and while tasting the local and traditional food in one of the many good taverns. The village is known for its variety of fresh seafood directly from the Gulf, the famous and unique sardines in particular.

Skala Kallonis is one of the sunniest places in Greece, and the local sandy beaches are shallow and family friendly, with quiet as well as more crowded places for you to relax and enjoy the Aegean sea and sun. Some water sport activities are available most of the season.

Walking on the beaches of Skala Kallonis you follow in the footsteps of philosopher Aristotle and his colleague, the Lesvos-born Theophrastus from Eressos, and many are those finding inspiration here.

During Greek-Orthodox Easter, the most important of events in Greece, Skala Kallonis is an exciting place to be. Here are both typical traditions as well as some very local ones, such as the huge bonfire in the square and symbolic burning of Judas the night before Resurrection.

Some taverns and mini-markets are open all year, but from early May the villages comes to life after the quiet winter. In the busy and hot high season in July/August, the beaches, cafés, shops and taverns are filled with cheerful Greek and international holiday-makers.

Saint Anna and the local church dedicated to her is celebrated on 25th of July, a joyful occasion taking place both inside and outside of church, and a weekend in early August Skala Kallonis is host to the famous "Festival of the Sardine": filling the square with people and the festive smell of barbequed sardines, local ouzo and hot sweets, the sound of live Greek music, and busy sellers in the outdoor marked-stands.

In the summer Skala Kallonis has several cafes situated at the beach away from the busy streets, serving snacks, coffees and drinks comfortably shaded from the sun. Most of them keep open during the evening and night, offering a relaxed nightlife for locals and visitors.

Kalloni Town: Centre and Crossroad

From the hotel you can either take the main road or pass through the picturesque villages of Kerámi, Papianá and Arianá if you want to visit the busy town of Kalloni, 4 km from the hotel.

As an important crossroad on the island, all main roads go through this town, making areas and sights on Lesvos within easy reach from Hotel Pasiphae.

Kalloni means "beautiful", maybe telling us what the first settlers thought about the area they chose to live in. The Municipality of Kalloni, now consisting of 8 settlements, has been inhabited since antiquity mainly because of the special marine flora in the Gulf of Kalloni and the fertile surrounding plains, up until today defining lifestyle and economy in the area.

Kalloni is the second most important town on the island after the capital Mitilini, and with its cafes, shopping opportunities and public services the needs of inhabitants and visitors are satisfied all year around.

Here you find a good medical centre, the police station, taxi station, the area’s main bus-stop, petrol station, car rental, post-office, travel agencies, pharmacies, super markets, banks, ATMs, schools, electronics, souvenirs, fruits and vegetables and nice places to just sit and watch traffic and life.

Shops are normally open until 13.30, and on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays open again from 17.30 to 20.30. (Opening and closing hours can vary between shops).

Things to Do and See Locally.

With the flatlands surrounding the Gulf of Kalloni, the area offers many possibilities for exploration by walking or bicycling, and several books are available with suggestions to routes.

The Kalloni area, with its salt-pans, wetlands, pools and rivers, is one of the most popular destinations for bird watching, especially during the spring migration season.

Moni Limonos (1526) is the main monastery of Lesvos. With its history, museum, unique documents and icons, size, surroundings and current religious use, this monastery offers an interesting meeting with the Greek Orthodoxy.

The annual celebration before and on 14th October attracts locals and pilgrims, combining religion inside with shopping outside.

In the valley below the monastery, father Nikodemos has allowed Norwegian based Metochi Study Centre (1993) and Xristos Research Centre (2001) to have their academic activities. Starting from Metochi is also the old and picturesque footpath up to Limonos.

The holy Monastery of Panayias Myrsiniotissas was in 1530 unique in Greece as a school for women. Nuns still live in this beautiful monastery that it is open to visitors, but only women can enter the main areas.

Ancient Pyrra, a city now sunken in the sea due to an earthquake, was the centre of the large district of Pyrra, one of the ancient cities on Lesvos. Even without visible ruins today, it does not take much imagination to picture the wealthy settlement once located here.

This is also a good starting point for following in the footsteps of philosopher Aristotle and his colleague Theophrastos: born in Eressos on Lesvos and in newer research recognised as an important thinker and the first botanist. It was around the large and rich Gulf of Kalloni Theophrastos chose to do his work, and the Gulf still has a very impressive marine flora.

In Messa the newly opened museum presents the ruins of the once impressing ancient temple standing here. In the temple Lesviots dedicated altars to Zeus, Hera and to "Kemelion, Omophage Dionysos"; the so-called Lesvian Triad. In a period with conflicts and competition between the ancient cities on Lesvos, the temple was erected in Messon; in the centre of the island.

For hundreds of years this was a unifying and important place for worshipping, conflict-solving and exchange of ideas and thoughts. First excavated in 1885-1886, this is today one of the most important monuments on Lesvos. In addition to the museum, visitors can wander though the archeological area, reach the small amphitheater and get a close view of both the temple and the post-Byzantine church of Taxiarchis build in the middle of the ruins.

The Salt-works of Kalloni are amongst the largest in Greece and have been operating since at least 480 BC, still shipping salt that returns as table salt to the Lesviots. Most of the season you will see flamingos rest and eat in the shallow water with the white mountains of salt as a background.

Halfway between Kalloni and Molivos is the starting point of the ecological route leading up to Klapados, the village where the last battle between Turks and Greeks was fought in 1912, marking the end to over 450 years of Ottoman rule and the final Greek liberation.

Further north on the island are many interesting and attractive destinations:

The quiet mountain-village of Stipsi is widely known for its high-quality olive oil, the beach in Anaxos is popular, Petra has its characteristic Maria-church, the long sandy beach, shops and nightlife.

The magnificent town Molivos (Official name: Mithymna) has the Genovese Gateluzzi castle overlooking the many charming alleys, shops, the harbour and the flourishing cultural-life. Further north, Eftalou has in addition to good taverns and the pebble beach, possibilities for relaxation and well-being in the natural and therapeutic hot spring.

In Skala Sikamnia you can visit the Church of Mermaid Madonna on the cliff, made famous by Lesviot writer Stratis Mirvillis. From this area you can also start your walk or jeep-drive up to Lepetimnos and Lesvos’ highest mountain Vigla (968 mao), from where you on a clear day have a 360 degree view of the island.

The village Agia Paraskevi northeast of Kalloni is known for its preserved customs and traditions, and organises the "Festival of the Bull" normally in early July; one of the most famous festivals on Lesvos.

Up from Agia Paraskevi is the monastery Klopedi, and further up in the mountains a gravel road takes you to the ruins of the ancient Apollo temple. Though only partial excavated it is telling the tale of Lesvos’ prominent position in classical times. If you do not want to walk, you can rent a jeep to reach Klopedi, as well as the ruins of the early church of Chalinados.

For more information about places or themes, see also Special Interests

To Hotel Pasiphae:
Airport, Mitilini: 48 km
Harbour and Capital: 42 km
Kalloni Town: 4 km
Skala Kallonis Village: 400 m
Skala Kallonis Beach: 300 m