Eftalou Hot Springs, Eftalou, Lesvos

We visited the hot springs at Eftalou, whilst on holiday in Lesvos. As we where staying in Molyvos, Eftalou is the next and the last village along on the bus route.

From Molyvos you can either take a taxi for 5euro, but remember to ask that they call to collect you later, as Eftalou is a very small resort with no taxi rank. We caught the local bus for 1euro 40 each way.

The bus stop and terminal at Eftalou is just a sign at the side of the road. From there you walk for 5 minutes along a track and you see the bath house. It is the large white dome on the edge of the shore.

Not knowing what to expect or find we where told all that we needed to know by a very nice lady at the springs.

Change into your swimwear, and then take a dip into the sea, after take a shower outside and then enter the bath house. As this was our first time we where advised to take it easy getting into the bath and not to stay in too long. After you feel you have had long enough in the hot bath you then go outside and have a swim in the sea and repeat all over again.

We did as directed and the experience was wonderful.

The sea didn’t feel too cold after the hot bath, but the hot bath was just ahh..

I love a hot bath at home, and this was bliss. We had to sit on the side and dangle our feet in first, then took the plunge onto one of the stones then we sat on the bottom of the bath and the water came up to my chin, just bliss. The water is kept at a constant temperature of 43.6 degrees to 46.5 degrees.

You access the bath via a whole in the wall, three steps and you cannot see until you are inside the room, just like going into a grotto. The bath is about 12 feet by 9 feet and the floor of the bath was covered in pebbles, just nice on the feet. The area around the edge would be about 4 feet and little alcoves with lighted candles and soft relaxing music playing. The whole of the walls and ceiling are painted white and there are holes in the roof where the sunlight shines through, just magical. I could have spent more than the allowed 45 minutes there.

We went in and out of the bath house doing the circuit 4 times in the 45 minutes. There is no clock in the room but there is one outside in the changing area that you keep a check with, but no-one comes and says your time is up.

You pay after the experience and the cost is 4 euros per person. Well worth it. You can also have a private bath tub, they have 7 of these which is 5 euros but for 20 minutes. These are upstairs with a window looking out onto the sea.

These baths are very therapeutic and are recommended for the cure of, chronic rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, lumbago, hip joints etc.

They do also advise that if you have a heart condition, blood pressure, phlebitis or are pregnant consult a doctor before the use of the hot springs.

The hot springs are a natural phenomena, on the island of Lesvos, and the water starts out at 60 degrees but they have to cool it down for the use of the bath. The water then runs outside into the sea and if you stand outside the sea water near the bath house is just as wonderful. People do go and build a little stone pond that they can sit in rather than go into the bath house, but you would never get to sit in it up to your neck outside.

The Hot Springs of Eflalou are open:
08-30 till 14-00 & 15-00 till 20-00 daily and the private tubs are open 08-30 till 19-00.

You are able to book a massage whilst you are at the bath if you require that little extra relaxation., prices vary as to what you book.

They do advise that you arrive 1 hour before closing time.
Children under the age of 6 are free.

This experience was great, and if the day is overcast or you just want to chill then I would recommend this to anyone staying in either, Eftalou, Molyvos, Petra or Anaxos as Anaxos at the end of the bus route is only 30 minutes away from Eftalou and still only 1 euro 40 for the bus.