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Lemnos: Home to Greece’s Unique Desert

lemnos desert
Credit: Still frame from Atlas video

People who have not visited the beautiful Greek island of Lemnos may consider it a  moonscape due to its arid terrain.

But that is only because they had not had a chance to explore the majestic island.

Lemnos, the eight-largest Greek island, is a magical place.

Located in the northern Aegean, wedged between mainland Greece and Turkey, Lemnos is full of unique archaeological sites, picturesque beaches, and some of the most delicious local delicacies anywhere in Greece.

Apart from its sun-soaked beaches and world-famous wine, the Greek island of Lemnos is also known as the home of what is possibly the only desert in Europe.

The sand dunes on Lemnos

On the north side of Lemnos, in an area called Gomati, visitors have the chance to witness a unique and unexpected sight — a small, sandy desert.

This area, which measures 7 hectares, or a little over 17 acres, is located far from the island’s many beaches, and resembles a scene found in the Middle East or North Africa, not a Greek island.

Due to Lemnos’ particularly windy climate, the many sand dunes located in the desert of Gomati constantly change shape, depending on the direction of the wind, just like the Sahara Desert.

The sand dunes, also known as “Pachies Ammoudies,” are one of the most unique attractions on the island Lemnos, created by natural erosion caused by the prevailing winds blowing from across the sea.

Lemnos’ desert home to unique flowers and herbs

The ever-changing terrain and landscape of the sand dunes, accompanied by the deep-blue colors of the Aegean Sea make for an unforgettable sight.

Just as striking, the area’s flora mostly consists of beautiful white lilies, also known as pancratium maritimum, while sand-friendly vegetation such as osier, thyme, oleander and wild olive trees encircle the sand dunes.

It is worth noting that the landscape’s uniqueness has led many film and commercial directors to shoot scenes in the small Greek desert.

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