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All Greece Lemnos Lemnos Sand Dunes

Lemnos Sand Dunes

A miniature desert appears out of nowhere on the lush isle of Lemnos, like something out of a Greek myth.

Lemnos, Greece

Added By
Athanasios Kountouras
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Early in the morning after a windy night   thanasiskount / Atlas Obscura User
  thanasiskount / Atlas Obscura User
Sand “almost” as far as the eye can see   thanasiskount / Atlas Obscura User
The very fun cliff at the end   thanasiskount / Atlas Obscura User
The light breeze making the sand glowing as it moves it around   thanasiskount / Atlas Obscura User
  thanasiskount / Atlas Obscura User
The Lemnos desert.   Map data ©2017 Google
Sand dunes in Lemnos.   Annaboukorou
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About

The Lemnos desert is an anti-oasis on an otherwise lush Greek island. It is just 17 acres in size, but just like its larger counterparts, the Sahara or the Namib, it is constantly changing shape and dimension with the wind. This can make for incredible dunes, mountains of sand known locally as "pacchies ammoudies," or "thick sands." 

The soft yellow sand is carried by the wind from the beaches nearby and deposited here, in the crook between the two extinct volcanos that make up the island of Lemnos. If the wind is strong enough, one can see waves in the dunes, like a great sandy ocean.

It might seem like a barren landscape, but in actuality the dunes play host to a large variety of local fauna, especially wild rabbits who hop out around sundown. Additionally, white lilies sprout right from the sand, while olive trees flank the edge of the desert. 

Walking straight from lush forest vegetation into the arid desert lends visitors a feeling of otherworldly fantasy. Indeed, Lemnos appears in Ancient Greek mythology as Hephaestus' home when Zeus expelled him from Olympus. Perhaps because of this ethereal feeling, or because of the island's variety of landscapes, many film directors have shot their desert scenes on Lemnos.

Related Tags

Deserts Film Locations Mythology Dunes Nature Natural Wonders Islands

Know Before You Go

You probably need a four wheel drive car to comfortably reach the desert, as it is only accessible via a dirt road. Avoid visiting at noon on very hot days. The sand can be scalding hot. Arriving very early in the morning or just before sunset makes for a more comfortable visit.

Community Contributors

Added By

thanasiskount

Edited By

Molly McBride Jacobson

  • Molly McBride Jacobson

Published

May 8, 2017

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Sources
  • http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/04/12/lemnos-home-to-greeces-unique-desert/
  • http://www.atlasvisual.com/lemnos-sand-dunes
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189478-d6856964-Reviews-Sand_Dunes-Lemnos_Northeast_Aegean_Islands.html
  • http://www.greece.com/photos/destinations/North_Aegean/Limnos/Beach/Gomati/Sand_Dunes,_Lemnos/21121102
  • http://www.mysteriousgreece.com/travel-guides/islands/northeast-aegean/lemnos/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemnos
Lemnos Sand Dunes
Lemnos
Greece
39.990568, 25.130855

Nearby Places

Volcanic Rocks of Lemnos

Lemnos, Greece

miles away

Samothrace Sanctuary of the Great Gods

Paleopoli, Greece

miles away

Hermitages of Karoulia

Agion Oros, Greece

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lemnos

Lemnos

Greece

Places 2

Nearby Places

Volcanic Rocks of Lemnos

Lemnos, Greece

miles away

Samothrace Sanctuary of the Great Gods

Paleopoli, Greece

miles away

Hermitages of Karoulia

Agion Oros, Greece

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lemnos

Lemnos

Greece

Places 2

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