Look out for the largest petrified tree trunk, with a circumference of 13.7m
EXPERIENCE

Make time stand still at the petrified forest of Lesvos

Discover the remnants of an ancient ecosystem that once flourished on Lesvos and now constitutes one of the largest petrified forests in the world.
Thrace region-id="pin-13"; Macedonia Macedonia Epirus Thessaly Sporades Ionian Islands Western Greece Central Greece Attica Peloponnese Crete Cyclades North Aegean Islands Dodecanese Dodecanese Karpathos Astypalea Tilos Sitia Faistos - Matala Patmos Kastelorizo Kasos Kos Leros Halki Rhodes Symi Sfakia - Loutro Rethymno Elounda - Agios Nikolaos Agia Galini Plakias Hersonissos - Malia Ierapetra Heraklion Chania Nisyros Ikaria Lipsi Tzia - Kea Thasos Samos Lesvos Samothrace Limnos Chios Kalymnos Paros Naxos Zante - Zakynthos Lefkada Corfu Santorini Milos Kythnos Kimolos Serifos Syros Sifnos Koufonisia Ios Kefalonia Mykonos Paxi Ithaca Arta Ioannina Tinos Parga - Sivota Metsovo Anafi Sikinos Folegandros Donousa - Iraklia - Schinoussa Antiparos Zagori Mountainous Arkadia Porto Heli - Ermioni Preveza Amorgos Andros Delos Messolongi Ancient Olympia Aegina Kythira Archea Epidavros Patra Nafplio Kardamyli Kalamata Ilia Corinth Western Messinia Kalavryta Elafonissos Nafpaktos Spetses Poros Hydra Alexandroupolis Pylos Mycenae Monemvasia Loutraki Piraeus Athens Arahova Xanthi Galaxidi Mystra - Sparta Mani Edipsos Karpenisi Delphi Chalkida Karystos Evia Skyros Vergina Alonissos Volos Karditsa Skopelos Skiathos Kastoria Thessaloniki Prespes Agios Athanasios Edessa Serres Veria Larissa - Tempi Elati - Pertouli Trikala Pelion Meteora Drama Ammouliani Mount Athos - Ouranopolis Nymfeo Mount Olympos Katerini Halkidiki Grevena Lake Kerkini Naoussa Kozani Kilkis Kavala Pella Lake Plastira
Duration
2 - 4 hrs
Season
All year round

OVERVIEW

The mind boggles at the age of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos. Frozen in time after volcanic ash rained down on this part of the North Aegean up to 20 million years ago are the remnants of the trunks, branches, roots, leaves, seeds and even some animals that once flourished within an ancient forest and have now been fossilized in what today constitutes a veritable monument of nature. It’s been called "the Pompeii of the plant world" and is part of UNESCO’s World Geoparks Network

Central to understanding this astonishing legacy is to visit the forest’s excellent Natural History Museum, just outside the town of Sigri. The museum is literally built around a number of fossilised tree trunks, lying exactly where they fell millions of years ago.
 
From here you can explore further afield, with a newfound appreciation for these relics of nature, whose colours (red, yellow, green and chestnut) are so striking against the volcanic ash-coloured rocks around them.
 

Read More Read Less

DON'T MISS

Natural History Museum of the Petrified Forest 

With exhibition rooms dedicated to the “Fossilised Forest” and the “Aegean Evolution”, the museum will open your eyes to the evolution of the unique ecosystem of the ancient forest and other artefacts from the Palaeolithic Age. By far the best experience is to be shown around by one of the museum’s geologists.  

Sigri Park

You emerge from the museum onto a path leading to a collection of fossilised trees. 

Plaka Park 

Around 800m south of Sigri is another park, covering several hectares. Look out for the largest petrified tree trunk, with a circumference of 13.7m! 
 

Nisiopi island

The museum has a glass-bottomed boat that visits nearby Nisiopi (or Megalonisi), where hundreds of petrified logs (some wholly or partially submerged) have created an entire island geotope. Waves on the western side of the island have revealed giant conifers that are ancestors of today’s sequoias.

Walking paths

A number of hiking trails are marked out around the Petrified Forest, including a path to the village of Eressos (6km) and one that follows the Tsichliontas Valley and leads to the Hamandroula Park, before joining the road between Sigri and Eressos (13km).

Read More Read Less

By car to Sigri     

  • From Mytilene: 88.5km (2hrs)
  • From Mithymna (Molyvos): 58km (1hr30mins)
  • From Plomari: 107km (2hr15mins)
     
  • You can visit the museum and its parks at any time of year. 
  • If you do visit in July or August, it is best to do so in the morning to avoid the heat. 

The best months to visit are the cooler and less busy May - June and September - October. 

Natural History Museum and Sigri Park

  • Summer: Open daily 9:00-17:00 (9:30-17:00 on Sunday)
  • Winter: Open daily 8:30-16:30 (9:00-16:30 on Sunday)
  • Entry: €5

    More info

Plaka Park 

  • Summer: Open daily 9:00-17:00 (9:30-17:00 on Sunday)
  • Winter: Open upon request  
  • Groups of six or more can arrange to be accompanied by a geologist.
  • Entry: €2

Nisiopi Island Park 

  • Daily excursions from June-Οctober. (You will need to book: Tel. +30 22530 54434).
  • Ticket: €10-15 (depending on length of visit). 

 

  • Autumn
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Experiencing all the attractions outlined here (apart from the hiking paths) will take 4-5hrs.
  • Visiting the Natural History Museum and Sigri Park will take approx. 1hr.
  • Visiting Plaka Park will take about 1-2hrs.
  • Boat trips around the Nisiopi Island Park take approx. 2hrs, depending on weather conditions. Alternatively, it’s possible to visit only the island, which takes around 1hr.
     
  • The largest of the parks (The Petrified Forest Park), at Bali Alonia, is closed for maintenance and cannot currently be visited. 
  • The museum has a café, offering drinks and snacks, and a gift shop. 
  • The Natural History Museum and Sigri Park are suitable for visitors with disabilities. 

Book your trip

All your holiday planning needs in one place, letting you book direct and benefit from official online rates

TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY

Please help us preserve the magic of our natural heritage for future generations by following all the basic rules of visiting cultural sites.

Use the bins provided or, if need be, take your rubbish with you.
Use a refillable water bottle to try to minimise your use of plastic.
Stay on the marked paths and respect your fellow visitors.
Respect the local environment by not disrupting the flora and fauna or removing rocks and other natural materials.
If there’s a “No flash photography” sign, please respect it. It’s to protect the relics and monuments.
No pets (other than guide dogs) are allowed in cultural sites.
Smoking is prohibited.
Read More Read Less
YOU NEED TO KNOW ·
A crystal clear liquid is poured into a glass and in drops an ice cube, instantly emitting magical swirls of white

Sampling the ouzo tradition of Plomari

The Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki

A tour of the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki

Millos Plaka Village

A tour of the colourful villages of Milos

A tour of the Archaeological Museum of Chania