Car Hire in Mytilene

About Mytilene

Mytilene is the capital and port of the Greek island of Lesbos. It is located in the southeast of the island. It is also the capital and administrative centre of the North Aegean region. The city houses the headquarters of the University of the Aegean and is one of the two municipalities on the island of Lesvos. Lesvos is a Greek island in the northeastern Aegean Sea. Lesvos is the third largest Greek island after Crete and Euboea. Together with the islands of Chios, Ikaria, Lemnos and Samos, it forms the regional unit of the North Aegean region. This regional unit is also called Lesbos, after the largest of the five ruling islands. Although there is evidence that life on the island existed much earlier, Mytilene was founded in the 11th century BC. The island has a rich and turbulent past and is also known today as the home of the ancient Greek poet Sappho.

Mytilene is the artistic, commercial and industrial centre of Lesvos. This picturesque town has a lot to offer. It is especially known as an ideal place for a quiet holiday. A great destination for families! With its beautiful traditional architecture, narrow streets, small squares, many taverns, bars and restaurants, this place is worth a visit.

Also, there are some very good museums and galleries in Mytilene that you can visit. And of course, we can not forget the beach. To sum up, Mytilene is a great holiday destination for any kind of traveller. If you make a road trip through Lesvos, be sure to visit the capital, you will not regret it!

Basic info and car hire in Mytilene

• Location: Lesbos Island, Greece
• Population: 57,872
• Official language: Greek
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Mytilene has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate   
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Mytilene are in good condition.
• Car hire in Mytilene: The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Mytilene is at Lesbos Mytilene Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Mytilene!

 Driving in Mytilene

Renting a car in Lesvos is the best solution if you want to explore the island properly. Another advantage of having a car here is that the island is so big that sometimes when it starts raining in one place, you can get in the car and drive to another place where it is not raining. Driving on Lesvos is often referred to as one of the islands with the best driving experience. The roads are in very good condition. The scenery is beautiful, so all you have to do is follow the road signs and enjoy the drive. There are many road signs so you can hardly miss the way, but on some parts of the islands, it is better to use navigation as the signs are not that frequent.

If you want to explore the towns on the island, it's best to leave your car in one of the many parking lots around the town and explore the streets on foot. The towns are small and you do not need a car. Also, many areas are pedestrian-only.

The fines for breaking the laws and regulations are strict and expensive. Running a red light or ignoring a stop sign will cost you 700 euros. Not wearing a seat belt in a car will cost you 350 euros. Talking on a mobile phone without a hands-free kit will cost you 100 euros. Driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by a fine of between 200 and 1200 euros and a likely driving license suspension of between 10 days and six months, depending on how much the breathalyzer test reveals.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Greece is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old and with some rental companies for people over 75 years old. Young driver surcharges may apply to those under 25 with many rental companies.
• International Driving Permit:  Visitors need a valid driving license to legally drive a car in Greece. Drivers of motorcycles up to 125cc must be at least 18 years old, while drivers of mopeds (up to 50cc) must be at least 16 years old. Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. With an International Driving Permit (IDP), you can legally drive in Greece and 174 other countries and must present your valid driver's license. In the US, only two organizations issue IDPs: Automobile Association of America (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), and you can order it online if there is no office near you.
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company in case your policy does not cover you when driving in Greece). 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle (mandatory in every vehicle), headlight deflectors (for vehicles from UK. Depending on the vehicle, you may either need deflector stickers or have to manually adjust the beam), fire extinguisher (mandatory in every vehicle), first aid kit (mandatory in every vehicle), warning triangles, spare wheels are required, and hands-free devices with hearing aids if you are talking on the phone while driving. 
• Children in the car:  A suitable child seat must be fitted in the car for children under 3 years of age. Child restraint systems that comply with the ECE R44/03 standard are approved by local authorities. A suitable child seat should also be used for children between 3 and 11 years of age who are smaller than 1.35 meters. Adult seat belts are already approved for children over 12 years of age and over 1.35 meters tall. If you wish to fit a rear-facing child seat, you may do so on the condition that the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights: In poor daytime visibility, use low beam headlights. The use of high beams in cities is strictly prohibited.  
• General speed limits: Unless otherwise stated, the maximum speed on the motorway is 120 km per hour. On rural roads, you may drive 110 km/68 mi per hour. In residential areas, the speed limit is 50 km/31 mi per hour.
• Parking suggestions: Parking is prohibited in Greece: Within 5 meters (m) of intersections, within 15m of railway crossings, within 15m of bus and tram stops, within 3m of a fire hydrant, within 5m of a stop sign, or traffic light. In some streets, signs indicate which side of the street to park on. Parking fees vary from city to city, with meters usually operating between 30 minutes and two hours. In Athens, special parking areas are reserved for tourists. EU disability cards should be recognized in Greece. However, to be on the safe side, you should apply for a card from the Institute for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People in Athens or from local prefects in other provinces.

What to see in Mytilene

Renting a car in Mytilene opens up a wide range of possibilities for you to visit the island of Lesvos. There are many wonderful places to see and things to do in Mytilene. One of the most important landmarks of Mytilene is the Mytilene Castle. This majestic architectural masterpiece is a window into the past. It is believed to have been built on an ancient acropolis. From the castle, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the sea. As Lesvos is also full of mythology, you can explore some temples on the island. For example, the temple of Aphrodite. It is not fully preserved, but you can enjoy the tranquilly in this area of the temple and see some remains of the once active temple.

Another interesting place in the city is the Theophilos Museum, which houses a large collection of artwork by one of the most famous Greek painters. Another museum worth visiting is the New Archaeological Museum of Mytilene. If you have time, also visit the Theriade Library and the Museum of Modern Art.

Other interesting places in Mytilene: Agalma Eleftherias, the Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Yeni Tzami (Mosque), Ktima Oinoforos, the Monastery of the Commander of Lesbos...

Drive your rental car beyond Mytilene

When you are on Lesbos you have the opportunity to explore the area surrounding the island. There are four other islands in this regional unit: Chios, Ikaria, Lemnos and Samos. Some of them are connected to Lesbos by ferries, others only by boats. You can take a guided tour to some of the nearby islands. The tours are well organized and you can usually have lunch on the boat as well. You can learn all sorts of interesting facts and myths on these tours. You can explore the islands that are connected by ferry by car. Lesbos is the largest island in this area, so you will spend most of your time exploring Lesbos.

But of course, Greece is so much more than just islands. There are so many fantastic places in this country that you will simply enjoy a trip through Greece. The roads are mostly in very good condition, so you will have to think carefully about which parts of the country you want to explore.

Greece or many would say the cradle of western civilization, is the southernmost country in the Balkan Peninsula. This perfectly situated country of over 2000 islands, around 170 of which are inhabited, has access to the whole world via the sea and also has a beautiful inland area full of mountains and volcanic soil, a rich culture, many historical and religious sites, delicious food and genuinely nice people - a place that every person should visit at least once in their lifetime. There are so many different things to see and do here that you are sure to find something for yourself.

If you are planning a vacation to Greece, you should make a good plan. A rental car is the best solution if you want to explore the country to see different places, try different foods and meet different people from different parts of Greece. First, you need to decide if you want to explore the islands or if you are more interested in the interior. For both options, there are plenty of activities you can do and plenty of sights you can visit.

Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the cities you should visit if you are planning a road trip through Greece. Athens is something very different from Lesbos, but no less interesting and exciting. Greece is a country that is a mixture of Europe, the Balkans, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa and is the legacy of classical Greece, the Byzantine Empire and almost four centuries of Ottoman rule. All this gives the country a great religious, cultural, architectural and also political background that contributes to the diversity of the country.

The size of the country is equal to that of Britain and it is divided into six main regions: Central Greece: the Píndos Mountains, North-Eastern Greece: Makedonía and Thráki, Eastern Greece: Thessalía and Attikí, Southern Greece: the Pelopónnisos, Western Greece: Ípeiros and Akarnanía, The Islands of Greece. Each of these regions has something to offer you. It is best to rent a car and explore region by region. You will need time to explore this country well, so it may be best to explore the regions one by one. The roads in Greece are in good condition, the people are friendly, the country is beautiful, the food is delicious and the sights are breathtaking, so all you have to do is buckle up and drive safely.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Mytilene

Lesvos, like many other Greek islands, is known for its great and unique cuisine. The great gastronomic expertise here has resulted in a local olive oil that is considered the best in the country. The land here is very fertile, so there is a great supply of local vegetables, fruits and herbs. Fish and seafood are also an important part of the cuisine here. But of course, there is also a lot of meat, especially lamb.

Besides olive oil, the island is also known for its various cheeses (feta, cheese, oil cheese), wine and honey. All three ingredients are frequently used in local cuisine.

Some traditional dishes: scallop pilaf, stuffed octopus, anchovies salted with oil and vinegar, Lesbos octopus, lamb with yoghurt, liver with oregano, sponge with zucchini...

Best restaurant in Mytilene

Antonis Ouzeri

Kafeneion O Ermis

Kalnterimi

Paratairon

Nan

Dolce Vita