Lesvos/Mitilini

The volcanic activity millions of years ago granted Lesvos with numerous thermal healings springs. They have been well-known for their curative properties since antiquity.

These springs are dispersed through the island both close and far away from the capital city. Their waters present a wide range of chemical compounds (carbon, chlorine, sulfur and radioactive elements) and temperatures.

The Thermal Springs at Polichnitos

Properties of the thermal springs Polihnitou

Based on the physicochemical composition of the Thermal Waters of Polichnitos, they are classified in the group of sodium chloride springs. The water is clear, odorless and enriched with natural radon radiation of 15 - 25 MACHE units, with oxycarbonates, chlorides and sulfates of calcium, sodium with free carbon dioxide, with compounds of iron, magnesium, manganese, oxygen and traces of iodine, bromine.

These springs are recommended for alleviating chronic rheumatism, arthropathy (chronic degenerative and deforming conditions), rhizoneuritis, chronic spondylitis, lumbago, deformative and post-traumatic injuries of the skeletal system skin conditions, sciatica of the hip joint, myalgic pain, womb-related illnesses, lymphatic diseases, and general gynaecological issues.

Due to the beneficial effect of the water temperature: the chemical-osmotic effect of salts and mainly sulfur (inhibits the action of hyaluronidase which destroys bones and articular osteochondral surfaces.

Chronic diseases of the gynecological cycle. Inflammatory diseases of gynecological origin, fallopian tube dysfunction - dysmenorrhea, female sterilization, endocrine dysfunctions (due to the rejuvenating effect of radon), peripheral vascular circulatory insufficiency, gout, secondary skin diseases, extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, gastritis mainly dyspepsia, hypochlorhydria with hypotonia and gastric atony.

Thermal springs of Lesvos, Polichnitos are the hottest (up to 87.6°C) natural springs in Europe and are cosidered the best in terms of therapeutic ingredients, in combination with the temperature of the water. The springs are located 43 km from the capital city of the island, Mytilini, and are 60 meters above the sea level close to the banks of the Almyropotamos river.

The surrounding area has a lot of vibrant steaming streams and boiling ponds. The main bathhouse houses have two comfortably heated pools designated for male and female use. Additionally, the baths offer massage therapy and a cafe, serving local, natural food and beverages. It is open daily until 8 pm.

The water temperature changes depending on the season of the year ranging between 43.6° C and 46.5° C. It has common showers and seven individual baths. This hot spring region of Lesvos is really fantastic, due to its natural beauty, the sandy beaches nearby and the wide open space to the horizon. The Hot Springs of Eftalou are recommended for treatment of chronic rheumatoid disorders, arthritis, lower back pain, pelvic pains, neural pain, lymphatic system disorders, arterial hypertension, kidney stones and sand, gynecological and skin conditions.

The public may enjoy the beneficial properties of the Eftalou thermal waters from 15 June to 15 November.

The healing waters cater to numerous health issues, encompassing rheumatism, arthritis, bronchitis, kidney stones, heart attack prevention, diabetes management, neurasthenia, uterine conditions, hip joint sciatica, digestive disorders, bronchial problems, and a variety of gynaecological matters.

The thermal water spa offers a restaurant, refreshment cafeteria, and sporting installations for tennis and mini soccer.

The Hot Springs of Eftalou are located on the northern coast of Lesvos, 3.5 km from Mithymna and 65 km from the city of Mytilini. The waters flow out of the crevices in the lava at the level of the sea surface. Sea water comprises 30% of the spring water. There are many sources along the coast, 300 to 400 m away, almost all of them beneath sea surface.

Therma Thermal Spring or “Korfos Baths”

Located on the 7th km of the road Mytilene-Kalloni, in the very end of Geras’ gulf, in a charming position with magnificent view

The springs are not as metallic in content or hot, reaching 40° C. It has low content of radon. There are two common vaulted bathing compartments, one for men and one for women, where water gushes out from the marbles fountain heads, giving bathers a natural hydromassage. Both bathing compartments have their own changing rooms and showers.

Eftalou Thermal Spring

Guests can indulge in a revitalising swim in the sea or unwind along the coast, where the thermal mineral water merges with the seewater as it seeps through the rocks. A well-tended pathway connects the bathhouse and the adjacent beach. The contemporary baths are fitted with tubs and taps, enabling bathers to regulate the water temperature to their preference. On the other hand, the traditional bathhouse houses an age-old tub akin to a small pool, filled with intensely hot water that isn’t commonly bearable to dip into for longer than 20 seconds.

These springs are high in sodium chloride content known for its therapevtical properties. The water’s temperature flowing on the land is approximately 45° C while the temperature of the water flowing under sea water being mixed with the sea water, reaches 30° C.

The thermal springs of Kryfti took its name from the small church of Panagia I Kryfti (“The Hidden Mother Virgin”). They are located in the southern part of the island, almost adjacent to the sea. The surrounding sea water is relatively warm, due to the effect of the springs.

Visitors will come across a stone building containing some rooms inhabited by boats, some others that once functioned as vestries. From these rooms, stairs lead to a coast, where a crack reveals the entrance to a small cave. Inside there a little lake filled with hot water. Many visitors arrive by boat, stopping several meters away and swimming or using a smaller boat to reach the shore. Alternatively, you can access the location by land, with a 57-kilometre journey from Mytilini Town and from Melinda, the nearest settlement.

Thermal Spring of Kryfti

Impressive are also the colors of the neighboring rocks through which the springs emerge as they appear yellowish and red, due to the precipitation of iron oxides, such as limonite and hematite. The creation of the Kryfti hot springs is connected to the presence of a large fault which shows a jump of tens of meters. The surface water penetrates deep into the interior of the earth, heats up and then, finding a way out through the great rift in the area, emerges to the surface as hot springs, having been enriched during its journey with various chemical elements that give them their valuable healing properties.

These springs are located on the northern coast of the island, to the east of Molyvos, close to the Eftalou spring. The thermal spring of Argenos is close to the shore, and effluences pour out onto land and into the sea. The water flows out onto the beach at temperatures between 65 and 86° C. This is a spring with sodium chloride content, with a constant ratio of sulfur to chlorine, with comparable values with seawater and the Polichnitos thermal waters. Furthermore, the Argenos thermal waters have a relatively low content in carbon composite and magnesium and increased content in calcium and sulfuric compounds in comparison with the thermal water at Polichnitos.

The hot spring of Argenos, known as “Megala Therma” is coastal, while there are springs both on land and in the sea.

Thermal Spring Argenou

Thermal springs Skala Thermi

Once believed to be the spring of the goddess Artemis, Thermi has a modern double-domed bath house built in front of the ancient ones which are now closed to the public.

The springs are recommended for rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, neuralgia, kidney and gall gravel, gynecological complaints, hypertension, circulatory problems, liver diseases, lymphatism, spleen enlargement, cirrhosis, paralysis, periostitis, rachitis and hardening of the arteries. The mineral waters are also inhaled for chronic bronchial catarrh, catarrh of the pharynx and the eustachian tubes. The temperature is around 40°C.

Lisvouri Thermal springa

The waters of this springs are iron stained and contain chlorine and natrium. They are hot – around 70C and are said to help cure rheumatism, arthritis, gynaecological and dermatological infections.

They are known locally as Agios Ioannis, with springs on both banks of the river and in exceptionally beautiful countryside about three kilometres from the village of Lisvouri.

The springs are in two separate buildings, only one of which is open and there are nine rooms as well as a public domed semi-circular bathing pool.

Behind the relatively new bath house with its individual bathtubs, are the ancient baths which is now closed to the public. The beach town of Skala Thermi itself has many large cafes in front of the sea and two excellent fish tavernas.