Agiasos, Differently: A Model Village of Experiential Tourism

Agiasos was recently highlighted by Marketing Greece, which presents it not merely as a picturesque village of Lesvos, but as a living cell of culture, creativity, and community participation.

On its blog, Marketing Greece takes us to the heart of the island, at the foot of Lesvos’ Mount Olympus. There, at an altitude of 475 meters and just 26 kilometers from Mytilene, Agiasos reintroduces itself as an authentic experiential destination, inspiring others with its example.

Tradition… with a twist
With the distinctive motto "Tradition, differently" (Η παράδοση αλλιώτ’κα), the local civic organization Visit Agiasos has been working in recent years to reestablish Agiasos as a hub of culture, creativity, and experiential tourism.

This non-profit civil company has launched a network of activities built around six thematic pillars — Language, History, Art, Nature, Religion, and Food — aiming to inspire other communities in Lesvos (and beyond) to find their own path by connecting tradition with modern life.

At the heart of this effort lies the village of Agiasos itself — a place with centuries of history, a rich artistic tradition, and a rare spirit of social cohesion. Local craftsmanship (weaving, ceramics, woodcarving) continues to thrive with passion, while cultural activities engage both elders and youth. Agiasos remains a village that lives and evolves through its people.

“Talking Tiles” – a smart cultural guide
One of the most inspired initiatives by Visit Agiasos is the placement of 26 ceramic tiles at key points around the village, serving as cultural waypoints. By scanning the QR codes on these tiles, visitors are guided along an alternative route filled with stories, images, and information about Agiasos’ past and cultural heritage.

The "Talking Tiles" project, under the auspices and funding of the Ministry of Culture, beautifully combines traditional aesthetics with digital technology, offering a new kind of tour — where the village literally "speaks" to the visitor.

Celebration, Gastronomy, and Participation
As presented by Marketing Greece, Agiasos is a destination that combines cultural, gastronomic, and hiking tourism. The annual Chestnut Festival, a celebration that honors the chestnut as a symbol of local production and creativity, attracts visitors from across Greece. Meanwhile, the village’s participation in the Lesvos Food Festival highlights local gastronomy, with references to monastic cuisine and hands-on cooking experiences.

Other initiatives include:

Book clubs and reading groups

Cultural podcasts like the “Living Museum of Kastaniona”

Educational collaborations with international schools (e.g., the "Imtsounes" project with Ethiopia on carnival masks)

European partnerships, such as the TrashArt program via Erasmus+

These show that Agiasos does not live only in its past — it opens up to the world, to the new generation, and to the future.

A Destination with Soul
None of this would be possible without the contribution of volunteers, the support of the local community, and collaboration with institutions like:

The University of the Aegean

The Agiasos Reading Society

The Athena I. Martinou Foundation

and strategic use of national and European funding programs, such as ESPA.

The Visit Agiasos office, located at the village entrance, functions as a hub for information, hospitality, and community — a real gateway that welcomes visitors and demonstrates that here, tourism is human, experiential, and meaningful.