Off to the Greek islands of the Aegean Sea? Discover with us 8 things to do when visiting Samos!
What can you do on Samos, the small Greek island off the Turkish coast of Kusadasi? Situated just 70 kilometers from Izmir, Samos had a population of 30,800 (2001) and sits on a goldmine of resources: arts and crafts with bronzes, jewelry, timber, tobacco, vines (Malvasia grape variety), fruit production, rose cultivation and olive oil production. The island has been inhabited since Neolithic times, and underwent rapid economic development in the 6th century BC.
In ancient times, the inhabitants of Samos traded extensively with the rest of Greece, the Phoenicians and the Persians. Remains of ancient Greece are therefore numerous. The island has only belonged to present-day Greece since the First Balkan War in 1912, when it was taken from the Ottoman Empire.
Between sea, beaches and mountains, Samos – the island of Pythagoras – is a green island with many forests. Samos offers pleasant beaches, surfing spots, cultural visits and nice neighborhoods for partying. To get the most out of your visit to Samos, we recommend renting a scooter or a car.
Looking for things to do in Samos? We’ve put together a list of must-see things to do when visiting Samos. From the capital – Vathy – to Pythagorion, from the island’s typical villages to the beaches, here’s what you can see and do on the island.
1. Visit Vathy
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Pavel Vlček
Vathy is the capital of the island of Samos. In 2011, it had a population of 12,500, wrapped around the island’s main port. The agglomeration is subdivided into two parts: Kato-Vathy (the « lower town ») and Ano-Vathy (the « upper town »), and derives most of its income from tourism.
Its Mediterranean climate means that you can visit Samos all year round, with an average temperature of 15°C in December. In the town center, near the port, there are a number of hotels offering accommodation in Vathy. While in Vathy, be sure to visit the Vathy Archaeological Museum and the Samos Wine Museum, on the west side of the harbor. The old town with its steep streets is also worth a visit.
2. Livadaki Beach
Photo credit: Flickr – Kostas Limitsios
On the second day, head north to the Livadaki peninsula. A beautiful beach awaits you, with its Mediterranean decor and clear turquoise water, just like in a swimming pool.
It’s a touristy beach, very well equipped with free sunbeds, bars and restaurants, but still described as quiet.
3. Visit Karlovasi
Photo credit: SamosGuide.com -Samos Guide
Located on the island’s northwest coast, Karlovassi had a population of 9,855 in 2011. Samos’ second port is located here, and you’ll find more bars and restaurants along the waterfront than in Vathy. Not far from the town center – a few hundred meters to the west – take the opportunity to visit the ruins of the Venetian castle.
While there’s little other tourist interest in visiting Karlovasi, spending a night there can be a good base for exploring the west of the island.
4. Visit Potami
Photo credit: Flickr – denvilles_duo
Potami beach is one of the jewels of the island of Samos: a turquoise sea, free deckchairs – for those who drink in the bar – but beware, as is often the case, it’s a pebble beach. So don’t forget your sea shoes!
5. Making the Kerkis
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Eigenes Werk
What else can you do in Samos besides swimming? Hiking, of course! The island is one of the most mountainous in the Aegean and boasts a regional park: the Kerkis massif, or Kerketeus. Its highest point, Vigla, rises to an altitude of 1,433 metres.
This makes it the second highest peak in the Aegean. Monasteries and caves – including Pythagoras’ cave, where he is said to have hidden to escape the tyranny of Polycrates – dot the mountain.
6. hiking on the Oros Karvouni
Photo credit: Samosblog
Another interesting massif to climb is the Oros Karvouni, also known as « Les Ampelos ». The massif lies to the east of the island, its highest point rising to 1,160 metres. Visitors hike over green hills, admiring the view of the sea and the Samos plain.
The Samos countryside is home to a wealth of biodiversity that is little-known: over 1,400 rare plant species, many of them endemic, and dozens of bird species.
7. Visit Pythagoreio
Photo credit: Flickr – jechstra
Pythagoreio is located in the south-east, very close to Samos international airport. You won’t want to miss the statue of Pythagoras in the harbor. The waterfront and harbor give the impression of a small Italian or Croatian fishing village, yet this is neither Italy nor the Adriatic coast.
In Pythagoreio, take a tour of the Eupalinos tunnel, an underground aqueduct dating from the 6th century BC and 1,036 metres long, making it one of the masterpieces of ancient civil engineering. A feat that puts an end to the notion that ancient man was less knowledgeable than he is today! Another must-see when visiting Pythagoreio is the Pythagorion Archaeological Museum.
8. Visit the Samos Herion
Photo credit: Flickr – Ondra
Finally, you can’t visit Samos without visiting the Herion. This great Ionian sanctuary on the Unesco World Heritage List, of which only a large standing column remains, is located in the south of the island and is said to have been the largest Greek temple ever built in Greece. The site evokes the legend of Hera, a native of Samos.
9. A boat trip
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Pawel Kazmierczak
There’s one more thing you shouldn’t miss when visiting Samos: a boat trip. Indeed, a visit to Samos also means taking advantage of its coastline!
There are some very nice boat trips available, which will allow you to discover the island in a different way, from its crystal-clear waters. It would be a pity not to rent a boat in Samos, and miss out on this heavenly setting.
Let yourself be guided by a skipper, or take command of your own boat and set off to discover the most remote corners of the world!
How to get to Samos
There are two ways to get to Samos: by boat or by plane. If you choose to take the boat, all you have to do is go to Athens, where a hydrofoil from Piraeus will take you to the island (allow 1h to 1h30 for the trip). In high season, the flow is fairly regular, with five boats a day.
For those who prefer air travel, Samos has its own airport. You’ll find a cheap flight on the website of our partner Ulysses.
Last but not least, public transport is available on the island, and you can rent a scooter or a car to enjoy the scenery. You can compare car rental prices in Samos on the Rentalcars website.
Where to stay in Samos?
The small island of 476 kilometers is very popular in high season, so there’s no shortage of hotels and pied-à-terre. In fact, you can find a cheap hotel in Samos by searching on this hotel comparator. For those who want to blend in with local life, why not opt for Airbnb accommodation? Quietude and paradise will be the order of the day.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Samos,gr