Sykamia
Sykamia is a traditional village set above the north coast, its views stretching out toward the Aegean, with the road descending to…
Sykamia is a traditional village set above the north coast, its views stretching out toward the Aegean, with the road descending to the harbour at Skala Sykamias below. It offers a quieter, elevated counterpoint to the busier coastal villages nearby.
What to See and Do
- views over the north coast and Aegean from the village
- the descending route down to Skala Sykamias
The inland village and its literary associations
The village of Sykamia (Συκαμιά) occupies a dramatic position on the north coast of Lesvos, its stone houses terraced on the hillside with views across the narrow strait to the coast of Turkey, close enough that in good weather individual buildings are visible. It is the birthplace of Stratis Myrivilis (1890–1969), one of the greatest Greek prose writers of the 20th century. Myrivilis’s trilogy, particularly “Life in the Tomb” (a masterwork of First World War literature) and “The Mermaid Madonna” (set partly in and around this coast), brought Sykamia and the landscapes of northern Lesvos to literary immortality.
The village is a living monument to Myrivilis. His childhood home, preserved as a small museum, can be visited. The narrow lanes of Sykamia wind through old stone houses whose gardens spill bougainvillea and jasmine over whitewashed walls; the views north from the upper part of the village to Turkey are unforgettable. The combination of literary heritage, exceptional landscape, and the village’s quiet, self-possessed character makes Sykamia one of the most rewarding stops in northern Lesvos.
Where to Stay near Sykamia
Sykamia itself has little or no dedicated tourist accommodation. Most travellers base themselves in Mithymna / Molyvos, a short drive away, which has the area’s main concentration of hotels and rooms.
Pair a visit here with the harbour and Panagia Gorgona chapel at Skala Sykamias just below.
The village of Stratis Myrivilis
Sykamia was the home village of Stratis Myrivilis. The folklore museum preserves personal material connected with the writer, while the descent to Skala Sykamias opens the coastal world associated with The Mermaid Madonna.
Explore more: Literary Lesvos.