Ippos
Visitors say
We had an incredible time at ippos! We went back in 2022, and the lady there was so friendly and helpful. She even took those amazing pictures for us. We highly recommend it!
My daughter had an amazing experience when she did the swimming on horseback, the instructor was brilliant, the 2 hour experience turned into 4 hours! Highly recommend Ippos.
About
Nestled in the verdant hills near the village of Vafeios in northern Lesvos, Ippos — whose name draws from the ancient Greek word for horse — offers visitors a chance to experience the island's interior landscapes in one of the most timeless ways imaginable. The terrain surrounding Vafeios is characteristic of Lesvos at its most serene: rolling hillsides thick with olive groves, pine-scented woodland paths, and a quiet rural rhythm far removed from the coastal crowds. An equestrian experience here means moving through scenery that rewards slow, unhurried discovery, and few modes of travel suit that pace better than horseback.
For visitors who have spent their time on Lesvos between beaches and tavernas, Ippos represents a different dimension of the island entirely. The northern inland region is rich in birdlife — Lesvos is one of Europe's premier birdwatching destinations — and the elevated trails around Vafeios offer views across the olive-covered valleys toward the distant shimmer of the Aegean. Whether you are an experienced rider or a complete beginner, the opportunity to explore this landscape on horseback brings a sense of connection to the land that is genuinely memorable.
Vafeios itself is a small, traditional settlement that retains much of its authentic village character, and a visit to Ippos pairs naturally with a wander through the village or a meal at a local eatery. It is the kind of stop that reminds you that Lesvos has always been more than a beach destination — it is an island of extraordinary natural depth and rural beauty, best appreciated when you slow down enough to truly take it in.
Before you go
What to expect
You ride through working olive groves and pine-shaded tracks in the hills above Vafeios, with valley views that open up as you climb. The pace is quiet and unhurried — guides adjust to your experience level, and the birdlife along these inland trails adds an unexpected bonus for anyone paying attention. It is a genuinely rural atmosphere, very different from the beach-and-taverna circuit that fills most Lesvos itineraries.
Best time to visit
Late April through June and September through October offer the most comfortable riding conditions; July and August midday heat can be hard on both riders and horses.
How to get there
Vafeios is roughly an hour's drive north of Mytilene through the island's interior; follow the road toward Mantamados and look for signs to Vafeios in the hills above it.
Details
Categories
Photos
Visitor Reviews
Panajiotis Kokkinos
December 2025
This was my very first time riding a horse, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better introduction. Rita, the instructor, and her assistant Chara were absolutely amazing! From the very first minute they made me feel safe, calm, and confident. They explained everything in great detail, step by step, and took the time to answer all questions. We even learned how to clean and prepare the horses ourselves, which made the experience even more special and authentic. The ride itself was simply magical. The landscape, nature, and views were breathtaking. Riding through such beautiful surroundings made the experience even more unique and peaceful. It was the perfect way to connect with nature and truly enjoy the moment. The horses were incredibly calm, gentle, and clearly very well cared for, truly beautiful and peaceful animals. You can feel the respect and love they have for them. A professional, warm, and unforgettable experience. Highly recommended to anyone, especially first-timers! I will definitely do it again.
Owner Response
Thank you for your kind words
Daiana
July 2025
I’ve taken a few lessons and 2 trails in Ippos. Highly recommend to people who love horses. Here they are treated with love and taken good care of. Rita - owner of the stables and her helpers are very patient and attentive in order to teach you riding. Besides lessons, 2 short trails, which I had was with beautiful sights and really enjoyable. Thank you for a great experience 🐴
Owner Response
Hi Daiana,<br>We enjoyed having you here, thank you for a great time
Samuel-Varvara Harrison
April 2025
We had an incredible time at ippos! We went back in 2022, and the lady there was so friendly and helpful. She even took those amazing pictures for us. We highly recommend it!
Owner Response
Thank you, we appreciate the review
Josh Street
October 2024
Me and my partner are on holiday in Lesvos and booked in for a 1 hour trail ride in the early evening. I have no experience while my partner has a good amount, but through every part of the experience I felt well looked after and gained confidence quickly on the horse (Arva) thanks to Nicole. My partner thoroughly enjoyed it as she got to try trotting and cantering with her horse (Eric). Getting to prep and groom the horses was really interesting as it was all an education for me. The ride had some beautiful views and once again we felt well looked after by Nicole. Would definitely recommend for beginners and experienced riders alike!!
Owner Response
Glad to hear you both enjoyed it, Nicole will be very happy hear it and thank you for your kind words
Astrid Provoost
September 2024
My partner and I had a fantastic ride in the morning sun on a Thursday in late September ☀️. He is a beginner and I have about a decade of experience (mostly indoors) and both our horses were wonderful and sweet. I initially contacted Ippos via WhatsApp to inquire about doing a trail ride that same week with us having mixed levels of experience in riding. The response was so fast and nice that we decided to go for it. When we arrived the instructor Nicole also just arrived at the stables. It is a nice and small establishment (no toilets though). Besides horses they have some very friendly dogs and cats. It turned out that it was just us, so we had a private ride on top of all! At a very relaxed pace we started to groom and saddle the horses and Nicole was very energetic and told us about the horses and their personalities. I got Bonita and my partner got Avra; both were very sweet mares, which can be rare in my experience 🤭. During the ride itself we tried out different paces (walk-trot-canter) when the terrain allowed it and it was great. The dogs were joining us while riding making it even more unique and fun for all. Nicole kept checking in with us to see if all was ok. When we got back we did some post ride grooming and had some talks and laughs together. The only regret we had was that we didn’t book a longer ride 🙈. We didn’t take pictures, but the route had some beautiful views 🤩. Definitely recommended for all levels of experience and for sure worth the money ✅
Owner Response
Thank you for your kind words, not talking pictures means you have too much of a good time to remember to take them 😉
Alicia Almberg
September 2024
We can’t be other then very pleased with this experience. From the start we got good and fast answers from Rita on mail, and when we got there Zuzana meet us with a smile and where kind, funny and professional at the same time! Non of us had former experiences of riding but walked away very pleased with ourselves and the day, and that is for me the best review there is! Thank you for a great day!
Owner Response
Very nice to hear that you had a good time, thank you for your kind words
Nikola
September 2024
All the animals seemed happy and well cared for. We were supervised by Mrs. Zuzanna and we are absolutely amazed how much she loves horses. Thanks to Zuza I learned a lot about taking care of horses and their nature and I developed a growing passion for horses and riding. She's a great teacher and a very nice and charming person. Also, the trail we were on had some breathtaking views and some cool stops like fig trees where we could give some fruit to the horses. Besides the horses, we also met three lovely dogs and A LOT of cats which made our visit even more enjoyable. We definitely recommend EVERYONE to visit this beautiful place!
Owner Response
Thank you for your kind words, I am glad you had a good time, all our animals love the attention and I will make sure Zuza hears how much you liked her company
Olesia Nezhyva
August 2024
it was an unforgettable experience and we did not regret for a second that we visited this place. if this is your first horse riding experience, there is no better place to start this adventure, as well as if you are an experienced rider. incredible landscapes. I highly recommend choosing an evening time for a walk, as you can see a very beautiful view. special thanks to our instructor Suzanne. we spent this time in good company and can 100 recommend this place!
matthew palmer
August 2024
My daughter had an amazing experience when she did the swimming on horseback, the instructor was brilliant, the 2 hour experience turned into 4 hours! Highly recommend Ippos.
Owner Response
Thank you for your kind words,<br>What a great picture
Didi IJzerman
September 2023
The best experience ever! The owner is very friendly an has a lot of knowledge. I fell in love with horse riding! This was my first visit but not my last!
Owner Response
Thank you for your kind words
Are you the owner?
Claim this listing to update details, hours, and photos.
Make a day of it
Places worth combining with your visit


