Myrina: Castle, History and Beaches

Myrina is the capital of Lemnos and combines a long history of settlement with a distinctive castle. Two nearby beaches are also a defining part of the town: Romeikos Gialos and Riha Nera are Myrina’s two closest beaches and can be reached on foot. The town therefore brings together history, archaeological traces and easy access to the coast.

Town History, the Castle and Early Traces

Antiquities found in Myrina point to settlement dating back to before the Bronze Age. The town’s founding is dated to the 12th or 13th century BC. Its history therefore reaches far back before the present-day castle, which was built in 1186 by Andronikos I Komnenos.

The castle rises on a rocky, steep peninsula of volcanic origin and is one of the largest castles in the Aegean. It covers an area of 144 stremmata. It was considered the strongest fortress on Lemnos; for this reason, Myrina bore the name Kastro from the late Byzantine period until 1955. Dapia on Tsas Hill is also one of the town’s sights.

Outside the castle walls are the remains of a Neolithic settlement, including a pottery workshop and sections of wall. The early traces of settlement and the later fortress make the different historical layers of Myrina tangible.

Archaeology and a Museum Visit

The Archaeological Museum of Lemnos is located in Myrina. It is housed in a two-storey 19th-century building that initially served as a Turkish government building. The permanent exhibition opened in August 2025 and displays finds from Poliochni, Myrina, Koukonisi, Kaveirio and Ouriakos, along with private donations and a notable sculpture collection.

Limnos: Landscapes, History and Traditions

On Limnos, the landscape extends beyond Myrina. Near Katalakkos lie the Ammothines, a 70-stremmata area of sand dunes inland and away from the coast. This contrast between inland dunes and Myrina’s beaches offers a distinct difference for anyone considering a variety of landscapes when planning a trip. Falakra also reveals a geological side of Limnos: it has volcanic formations attributed to the meeting of lava and sea.

Every spring and autumn, thousands of migratory birds use a stopover on Lemnos during their long journeys between Europe, Asia and Africa. The two seasons offer nature enthusiasts a clear seasonal guide. If you would like to plan your travel dates around this, you can include spring and autumn in your considerations.

The history of Limnos also offers further perspectives: Poliochni is an Early Bronze Age settlement with early forms of social and urban organisation. The Treaty of Moudros between Turkey and the Allies was signed in Moudros in 1918. In Nea Koutali, the Museum of Maritime Tradition and Sponge Fishing opened on 1 July 2006.

The horse races in Kalliopi are among the recurring traditions: they take place every year on the feast of Saint George. If this event is important to your travel plans, check the date for your chosen year before booking.

The regional cuisine also gives the island its own distinctive character. Lemnos is known for its Kalathaki and Melichloro cheeses, made from sheep’s and goat’s milk. The wines produced on Lemnos include the red varieties Limnio, also known as Kalambaki, and Muscat of Alexandria.

If inland landscapes, seasonal migratory-bird stopovers or regional traditions are also part of the trip you have in mind, include the other Limnos themes in your choice of location.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kalliopi, Angariones, Kaspakas, Agios Efstratios, Város, Thanos, Kaminia, Kontias.

Return to the main travel overview: Limnos.