Holidays in Petra

An introduction to Petra

Sometimes the best things in life come in small packages, and that’s certainly true of Petra. Bordered by rollercoaster hills on one side and the piercing blue Aegean on the other, this dinky place is an out-and-out beauty. In fact, the gorgeous countryside is one of its biggest draws – swimmers, hikers and cyclists have been flocking here for years. But you don’t have to be the sporty type to enjoy Petra’s natural wonders. Just stroll down the street or look out of your hotel window and you’ll come face to face with thick pine forests, dusty olive groves and cypress trees. And there’s plenty more in the way of beauty down by the beach. A long ribbon of sand is backed by waters that stretch out to three hazy islands. The islands are actually official nature reserves – take a boat trip out to one of them and you’ll find scores of birds and other little animals. Plus the views of the coastline from out here are nothing short of incredible. Scenery aside, Petra’s other crowd-puller is its traditional, quaint feel. Pretty cobbled streets open on to shady jasmine-filled squares. Fishermen go about their daily chores at the harbour. And farmers chat noisily over their morning coffee in the bustling village square. Not surprisingly, the square is the hub of Petra. Here, fancy restaurants and family-owned tavernas sit side-by-side with trendy coffee houses and little shops. After dark, things move down to the beachfront, where a host of bars offer up drinks and music long into the night. And if all that doesn’t win you over, Petra has one last trump card – the ‘Our Lady of the Sweet Kiss’ church that sits on top of a 40-metre-high peak. Beautiful in its own right, it’s also one of the best viewpoints in Lesbos.

Find the cheapest late deals to Petra leaving in the next six weeks.