Vatera - Popular Resort with an Impressive 9 Kilometers Beach

Set at a distance of just 5 kilometers from Polichnitos, the beachside resort of Vatera is one of the most popular tourist attractions on Lesvos. Vatera is an area of outstanding natural beauty that invites visitors to explore it on foot and lulls their senses with its seemingly endless shoreline.  

At an impressive 9 kilometers in length and between 10 and 30 meters wide, the beach at Vatera is the largest and longest on island Lesvos. Large numbers of visitors come here each summer to enjoy the amazing shoreline, unrestricted views to Chios and Psara and the spectacular nature of the area.

 
Vatera boasts an organized pebble beach where visitors can enjoy watersports and relish the lively atmosphere of a variety of bars, tavernas and cafes. A Blue Flag beach, Vatera is renowned for the purity and coolness of its waters. Take a pick among the many beachside cafes and tavernas, enjoy amazing views to the islets opposite the shore and immerse yourself in the sunny ambience of this popular seaside resort.

A small hired boat can take you from Vatera beach to the temple of Panagia Krifti in the nearby beach of Melinda.      

Vatera shipwreck is a must if you are partial to diving (please note that the site is recommended to CMAS** / AOW divers). The underwater site has an average depth of 27 meters and visibility is good.

Vatera is famed for its rich fauna and flora. Palaiolithic fossils of large vertebrates and extinct plant and animal species have been found under sedimentary rocks in the area and are housed in the Natural History Collection of nearby Vrysa. The estuaries of rivers Almiropotamos (also spelled Alpyropotamos or Almeropotamos) and Vourkos are a habitat for a variety of plant, bird and animal species, making them a firm favorite with birdwatchers and lovers of nature.

The resort is surrounded by pine trees, green hills and modest farm holdings and bordered by the long pebbled shore. If you’re in the area and enjoy walking, a visit to the nearby Gatelouzian tower will provide you with ample opportunity to discover vistas with views to the sea and adjoining hills.

The cape of Agios Fokas is located at a short distance from Vatera beach. The small fishing port is surrounded by rugged rocks and overlooked by the chapel of Saint Fokas, the patron saint of Byzantine sailors. There are a couple of fish tavernas where visitors to the area can take a respite and enjoy a meal of fresh fish or taste numerous traditional Greek dishes. Above the port you will find the ruins of an ancient temple of Dionysos dating back to the 1st century BC.

If you’re keen to venture away from the Vatera crowds into a dramatic natural setting, continue your walk to the Agios Fokas beach. The remote beach is wonderfully secluded and a favourite spot from which to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Bring your snorkeling equipment and admire the rich seabed, but be aware of sharp-edged rocks and sea-urchins.

Vatera is justifiably popular with visitors from Greece and abroad. The beauty of the natural landscape has facilitated development in the area, which includes a multitude of cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels and rental apartments and guarantees a trouble-free stay in one of the handsomest regions on the island of Sappho. Visit Vatera and immerse yourself in the splendor of its unique natural setting.