The area of Plomari was inhabited after the fall of the Byzantium, so its history starts quite later than other areas of Lesvos or Greece. During the end of the 19th century Plomari had experienced an impressive growth in the economic sector. It had a lot of soap factories that were supplying several European countries, oil mills, shipyards and ouzo distilleries. Plomari used the commercial route of the nearby Smyrna to distribute its products and after the city’s Destruction the economy of Plomari exmperienced a major recession. Nowadays, Plomari still has several oil mills and ouzo distilleries which support the local economy. The Museums in Plomari are mainly referred to its industrial heritage.

The Barbayiannis Ouzo Museum, located near Ayios Isidoros, next to the actual distillery, highlights the history of the brand and the 150-years-long dedication of the Barbayiannis family to produce ouzo of the finest quality. It is the oldest museum of ouzo in Plomari and among the exhibiths one may see the first alembic of the distillery.

On the road to the village of Playia, the World of Ouzo is the ouzo museum of the Plomari Ouzo Distillery Isidoros Arvanitis. The museum presents the 120-year-long history of the brand and the procedure that is followed in order to create the most popular ouzo in Greece, including the ingredients, the facilities and the equipment.

The Folklore Museum of Plomari is unfortunately temporarily closed since the earthquake of 2017. It is located in the centre of the town, above one of the traditional cafés of Plomari. The museum showcases the everyday life of the locals during the last two centuries, including traditional dresses, household items and tools of work.

The Museum of Soap Manufacturing is hosted in the Cultural Centre of Plomari. The Poulias soap factory has been restored and today hosts cultural events and purposes. The exhibits include tools of the creation of soaps, tags, brand seals, certificates, log-files and personal items of the factory owners.