Limnos facts
Due to its strategic position near the Dardanelle straits and between Mount Athos and Turkey, Limnos has been since antiquity an important outpost. It has come under the rule of the Athenians, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Genoese and the Turks before it was united with the rest of Greece in 1912. During World War I, the Allies used the island as a base for the Gallipoli campaign. The island spans 477.583 km2 (184mi2), has a population of 18.104 and Myrina is its capital and main port. Moudros is the 2nd largest town on the island but places like Portiano, Kaspakas, Atsiki, Katalako, Karpassi, Kodias, with its windmills and Poliohni with an archeological site pre-dating Troy are worth seeing. Limnos is an easy going island so its main attraction are its beaches like Platy, Thanos, Gomati, Kontopouli, and Tigani.
Interesting information about Limnos can be found through the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) and Wikipedia.The island has one port:
- Myrina, which is situated on the western side of the island.
There are frequent bus schedules that connect the port with the rest of the island.
Useful info: Limnos port authority tel.: +30 22540 25660, Greek Tourist Police: +30 22710 81539 (in Chios)Travel times
Ferry from Athens to Limnos
- Conventional ferries: Min 8 hours - Max 20 hours depending on the vessel and the route.
Ferry from Thessaloniki to Limnos
Conventional ferries: approximately 8 ½ hoursLimnos ferries schedule announcement
There are four, so called, "ferry schedule seasons":
- Winter ferry season 1st of November until 31 st of March.
- Spring ferry season 1st April - beginning of June.
- Summer ferry season beginning of June - mid September.
- Autumn ferry season rest of September - 31st of October.
Ferry connections and schedules for domestic routes, like to Limnos, are usually announced by most shipping companies, a couple of weeks before the beginning of each season.
From Piraeus:
- Afternoon – Three times a week 1 conventional ferry.
Macedonia to Limnos ferry schedule frequency during summer
From Thessaloniki:
- Morning – Once a week 1 conventional ferry.
Ferry types operating routes to Limnos
Conventional car ferries
These vessels can be divided into two categories: the old ones and the modern ones.
The main differences between them are
- their cruising speed
- the quality of accommodation and services provided and
- the prices
They are usually very big vessels, which also carry vehicles. Their advantages compared to the High Speed vessels, like the catamarans, are that they are more seaworthy, offer more "relaxed" accommodation and cabins and the passengers have the possibility to sit outside and enjoy their cruise around the Greek islands.
Ferry connections to & from Limnos
- Piraeus (Athens main port) - click here for port information
- Lavrio (Athens secondary port - East Attica coast) - click here for port information
- East Macedonia & Thrace - Kavala
- Macedonia – Thessaloniki
- North Aegean – Agios Efstratios, Chios, Ikaria, Lesvos, Samos
- Dodecanese islands: Patmos
- Cyclades islands: Naxos, Paros
Note: Not all above connections operate throughout the year.
Ferry to Limnos prices
Prices quoted below concern 2017, for the most popular routes, in economy class and are indicative. Same prices apply v.v. These prices are subject to change without prior notice.
| Athens – Limnos ferries | Ferry types | |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional ferry | Hydrofoil/Catamaran* | |
| Piraeus – Limnos ferry | approx. 60€/adult | -- |
| Macedonia – Limnos ferries | ||
| Thessaloniki – Limnos ferry | approx. 30 €/adult | -- |
*Note: Hydrofoils/Catamarans usually operate between May and October.
