Hotels

Restored mansions, village houses, sophisticated hotels, and budget accommodations are all options on the Northern Aegean islands. Reserve early for boutique hotels in high season, especially in Pythagorio on Samos and Molyvos on Lesvos. Hotels are usually small, and bar a few exceptions on Samos and Lesvos, there are few large resorts. On Lesvos, stay in Mytilini for cosmopolitan city life, in Molyvos for its dramatic medieval beauty, or in Skala Eresou for its laid-back beach style. On Chios avoid staying in the main town unless your stop is brief, as it lacks the charm of other island port cities—instead opt to stay in the outlying Kambos District or the picturesque mastic village of Mesta instead. Vathi (aka "Samos Town") is a good central option in Samos, and Pythagorio and Kokkari are more resort-like.