Skala Sykamias

Skala Sykamias is a small fishing harbour below Sykamia, known for the tiny Panagia Gorgona chapel perched on the rocks at the…

Skala Sykamias is a small fishing harbour below Sykamia, known for the tiny Panagia Gorgona chapel perched on the rocks at the harbour mouth and for its literary association with the Lesvos-born novelist Stratis Myrivilis, who used the setting in his writing. It is a genuinely atmospheric stop, small enough to feel personal, with tavernas facing the working boats.

What to See and Do

• the Panagia Gorgona chapel on the rocks at the harbour entrance
• the small working fishing harbour
• the literary atmosphere linked to novelist Stratis Myrivilis

A deeper look at Skala Sykamias

Skala Sykamias is the fishing village below Sykamia, reached by a winding road that descends steeply from the hilltop village to the sea. It is a tiny settlement of immense character: a handful of houses, a small harbour with coloured caiques, two or three fish tavernas, and (most famously) the chapel of Panagia Gorgona (the Mermaid Madonna), a small whitewashed chapel built on a projecting rock at the water’s edge, visible from the approach road.

The villages around Mount Lepetymnos connect the medieval coast with a steep agricultural interior. Stone houses, terraces and views toward the northern Aegean give the area a character distinct from the resort shoreline.

How to include it in a journey

Combine the village with Molyvos, Skala Sykamias or Eftalou. The terrain is hilly, so allow time for bends, short walks and viewpoint stops rather than planning by distance alone.

Practical approach

• Park without blocking homes, farm access or village traffic
• Use cafés and shops as local businesses, not guaranteed tourist facilities
• Check opening hours and road access when travelling for a specific site
• Carry water and avoid leaving waste in rural or coastal areas

Come for an early dinner at one of the harbour tavernas to watch the fishing boats return.