Petra holidays

When to go to Petra

Perched on Lesbos' northern coast overlooking the Aegean Sea, Petra benefits from a temperate Mediterranean climate.

Summer is peak season and it can get very hot, often hitting and exceeding 30C. It's also when the island celebrates the Festival of the Virgin Mary (August 15) and hotels and guesthouses can get booked up quickly.

Spring is one of the nicest times to visit Greece. Not just for the pleasant temperatures – sitting between 15C and 19 – and the reasonable hotel rates, but to also experience the way the country celebrates Easter. In Petra, there are colourful parades and fireworks throughout the Easter break.

From mid to late October through to March, the temperature can drop as low as 13C, and many hotels and tavernas close down for the winter. While local shops and bars remain open and you’re likely to nab a cheap Petra holiday, it's a time for locals to recharge meaning the town is even quieter.

What to do in Petra

A holiday to Petra is perfect for those who want to fly and flop but if you’re looking for more, there’s plenty of culture, archaeological sites and a chilled-out nightlife to enjoy, both in the village and further afield in Lesbos. Known as Greece's Emerald Island, Lesbos is remarkably lush – think hikes through olive groves, trips to quaint fishing villages and expeditions to crumbling ancient ruins.

Panagia Glykofilousa

Panagia Glykofilousa is one of Petra’s main attractions, which beautifully translates as the church of Our Lady of the Sweet Kiss. A charming 18th-century chapel, it’s perched atop of the 40m-high volcanic rock which dominates the village.

There are 114 stone steps up to the church, but those who put in the effort are rewarded with spectacular views across Petra, the shimmering blue-green waters of the Aegean Sea, and as far as the Turkish mainland.

Petra Beach

One of the biggest draws to Petra is its beautiful sandy beach. Unlike many Greek islands, which have rocky inlets rather than sandy coves, Petra's sweeping blonde sands are soft underfoot and lapped by the shallow, temperate waters of the Aegean.

Go snorkelling around the bay or hire a boat or a paddleboard and explore the other beaches along the coast. At night, the area becomes the beating heart of Petra's nightlife and is lined with Greek tavernas, beach bars and cafes.

Church of Agios Nikolaos

A surprising treat for any holidaymaker in Lesbos is chancing upon some of the dozens of beautiful tiny churches scattered across the island. At the bottom of Petra rock is the Church of Agios Nikolaos, a tiny basilica decorated with beautiful murals that date back to the 16th century.

Despite its small size, it's an important site in the town and pilgrims from all over the island flock to the chapel on August 15 to celebrate the Festival of the Virgin Mary.

Vareltzidaina’s House

Petra has a wealth of history packed into its charming cobbled lanes. Spend an afternoon learning about the island's Turkish heritage with a visit to Vareltzidaina’s House, the restored 18th-century home of a wealthy Turkish merchant.

From the outside, the two-storey mansion resembles an old fortress with its thick stone walls and engraved wooden balconies. Inside, however, it has a beautifully carved interior with Oriental murals, stunning Ottoman furnishings and Byzantine hints.

Mithymna Castle

One of the joys of any Lesbos holiday is stumbling across one of the island's medieval fortresses. And you’ll find one just a ten-minute drive from Petra in Mithymna, Lesbos' charming second town. Also known by its Byzantine moniker, Molyvos, it's best known for its beautiful hilltop castle.

Built by the Byzantines in the 11th century, Mithymna Castle enjoys sweeping views of the attractive old town and the northern Aegean Sea.

Where to stay in Petra

For families

Warm seas, welcoming locals and child-friendly food, Greece is one of Europe's most popular destinations for family holidays. While Petra's hotels are dotted across the village, the majority are close to the beach along Eparchiaki Odos Petras-Skalochoriou (Petra Beach Road), so youngsters can be building sandcastles and paddling in the safe, shallow waters within minutes of leaving the hotel.

If you don't want to be in the thick of the action, especially in the height of summer, look to the streets behind Petra Rock where you'll find a clutch of charming family-run small hotels and guesthouses.

For travellers on a budget

The majority of Petra’s holiday accommodation is along the beachfront. It's a real mix of budget, moderately priced and more expensive properties, the latter of which tend to have better sea views and are closer to beachfront bars and tavernas.

A good rule of thumb for travellers on a tighter budget is to forgo sea views and proximity to the village centre to seek out the more affordable hotels and guesthouses on the outskirts of Petra.

For food and drink

Feasting on sparkling fresh seafood doused in olive oil and herbs, and served with local ouzo, is a big part of a Petra holiday. And luckily the village is not short of great places to eat. In the tavernas and bars that loop along the beachfront, you can sample traditional Greek dishes such as moussaka, beef stifado (a traditional Greek meat stew) and baked feta, plus an excellent array of local Lesbos wines.

Away from the beachfront, stay closer to the village, where you’ll discover more authentic local bars or a charming taverna or two hidden away in its narrow lanes.

For nightlife

Petra is largely popular with families and couples, so while it has plenty of places to eat and enjoy a post-meal ouzo, if you're looking for a noisy strip of bars and nightclubs, you’ll be a little disappointed. But saying that, it doesn't mean the village shuts down at midnight.

Book a room closer to the centre or in one of the larger hotels that line the main beach and you’ll be within easy walking distance of the village’s lively bars and restaurants.

For culture

While the majority of Petra’s hotels and guesthouses are a stone's throw from the sea, those who come to Petra for its cultural attractions may choose to stay on one of the narrow cobbled streets in the village as an alternative to the beach.

Petra's main sights, including Panagia Glykofilousa perched on Petra Rock, the Church of Agios Nikolaos and Vareltzidaina’s House, are all within a few minutes’ walk of each other. Book into one of the quaint stone-built guesthouses in the village centre and you’ll still be within a 15-minute walk from the beach.