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    Samos

    Greece

    Samos

    CityCulture

    Samos is located at its narrowest point, less than two kilometers from the Turkish coast, and is considered one of the greenest islands in the Aegean.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Greece
    7. North Aegean Islands
    9. Samos
    Samos is located at its narrowest point, less than two kilometers from the Turkish coast, and is considered one of the greenest islands in the Aegean. Spread across nearly 480 square kilometers are the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Pythagoreion and Heraion, the 1,434-meter-high Kerkis mountain, and the wine terraces where the sweet Samos Muscat grows.You come for the ancient ruins, the mountain villages of Ambelos, and the pebble coves on the north coast. The island is large enough for a week, without repeating any routes.

    Sights in Samos

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1View Point

    The View Point on Samos offers you an impressive panoramic view over the Aegean Sea and the surrounding landscape. From this elevated vantage point, you can survey the vastness of the sea, often reaching the Turkish coast on clear days. Historically, such elevated points on Samos, an island of strategic importance, were often used as observation posts to detect sea trade or potential attackers early on. While this specific point primarily serves tourist purposes today, it still conveys a sense of the island's geographical location and its maritime history. You see the gentle hills stretching down to the sea, and can admire the coastline with its coves and beaches. Our Tip: Visit the View Point in the late afternoon to capture the golden light of the setting sun over the sea. For undisturbed photos, it's advisable to visit early in the morning during peak season, before most visitors arrive.
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    Archaeological Museum Vathy

    2Archaeological Museum Vathy

    The Archaeological Museum in Vathy primarily displays artifacts found in the Heraion. Votive offerings made of ivory, bronze, and wood demonstrate how extensive Samos's trade connections were in the 7th and 6th centuries BC, reaching as far as Egypt, Cyprus, and the Near East.The centerpiece is the 5.25-meter-tall Kouros of Samos, discovered in 1980 along the sacred road leading to the sanctuary. Due to its impressive size, it is housed in a dedicated annex.The museum is located in the upper part of Vathy, just a few minutes from Platia Pythagora. Allow at least an hour to explore the collection.
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    3Platia Pythagora in Vathy

    Vathy's main square is located directly on the harbor promenade and is named after the mathematician Pythagoras, who was born on Samos. In the center stands a lion on a column, along with palm trees and a fountain.Surrounding it are neoclassical 19th-century buildings, from when Samos was a semi-autonomous principality under Ottoman suzerainty and established its own administrative structures. The square is still the town's meeting point today.The cafés fill up in the early evening, while it's quiet during the day. From here, the promenade leads in both directions around the bay, and the Archaeological Museum is just a few minutes uphill.
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    4Malagari Beach near Vathy

    Malagari is located on Vathy Bay, north of the town, and is the closest swimming spot for anyone staying in Vathy.The beach is made up of pebbles, the water is mostly calm because it is situated deep within the bay. Given its proximity to the town, it's predominantly locals who visit here in the afternoon.Swim shoes are highly recommended due to the pebbly surface, and sunbeds are only available in scattered locations. From Platia Pythagora, you can simply stroll along the promenade.
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    Eupalinos Tunnel

    5Eupalinos Tunnel

    The Eupalinos Tunnel was excavated in the 6th century BC under the tyrant Polykrates through Mount Kastro, to supply the ancient city with spring water and to conceal the conduit from besiegers. The tunnel is approximately 1,036 meters long.Excavation began simultaneously from both sides, with the teams meeting in the middle with only minor deviation. How the engineer Eupalinos achieved this without modern surveying techniques continues to intrigue researchers to this day. Herodotus called the construction one of the greatest works of the Greeks.A section of the tunnel is accessible, but you must crouch in narrow spots. Visitor numbers are limited per time slot, and it is cool and damp inside. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pythagoreion and Heraion.
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    Heraion of Samos

    6Heraion of Samos

    The Heraion was the central sanctuary of the goddess Hera, who, according to myth, was born on Samos. A sacred road, approximately six kilometers long, connected it with the ancient city, now known as Pythagoreio.The grand temple from the 6th century BC was among the largest structures in the Greek world. Today, a single re-erected column stands here, amidst the foundations of altars, treasuries, and votive offerings.The most significant finds are displayed in the Archaeological Museum in Vathy, including the over five-meter-tall Kouros. The site is flat and exposed by the sea near Ireo, offering no shade; a morning visit is more pleasant during summer.
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    City walks in Samos

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Culinary & Authentic Vathy: A Feast for the Senses

    Immerse yourself in the authentic everyday life of Vathy, taste local delicacies and discover traditional crafts. This walk takes you off the main routes to the hidden culinary treasures and charming shops of the island's capital.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (7)

    Dining & Drinks

    1

    Cavos Cafe Bar Bistro

    The Cavos is a café, bar, and bistro located in the coastal village of Kokkari on Samos' north coast. From morning till evening, it serves coffee, drinks, and small dishes.
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    The beer tavern Kokkari

    The Beer Tavern in Kokkari combines tavern cuisine with a selection of beers. Kokkari is located approximately ten kilometers west of Vathy on the North Coast.
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    Food & Drink

    Samos is primarily a wine island. It also offers olive oil, honey, and a cuisine influenced by nearby Asia Minor.
    Muscat from Samos

    Muscat from Samos

    The Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains grows on terraces up to around 800 meters in altitude on Ambelos. The winegrowers' cooperative produces sweet varieties such as Vin Doux and Nectar, as well as dry white wines. In Vathy and Karlovasi, there are wineries with tastings and a museum.

    Katsikaki and goat cheese

    Roast kid, braised with lemon and herbs, is the classic festive dish of the mountain villages. It's accompanied by local goat and sheep's milk cheese, often brine-aged. Both feature on menus in Manolates and Vourliotes.

    Giaourtlou and Asia Minor Influences

    Due to its proximity to the Anatolian coast and the 1922 refugees, dishes arrived on the island that are rare elsewhere in Greece, such as meat with yogurt and tomato sauce or heavily spiced minced meat skewers. You can find them in the tavernas of Vathy and Karlovasi.

    Honey from Ambelos

    The pine and chestnut forests yield dark forest honey, complemented by lighter thyme honey from the dry slopes. Beekeepers sell directly from their farms on the roads leading to the mountain villages. Together with walnut pastries, it forms part of the dessert.

    Fish in Kokkari and Agios Konstantinos

    Fishing villages on the north coast provide small quantities that arrive directly in the taverns by evening. The catch of the day is offered, mostly grilled with lemon. Pricing is by weight; it's common to check the display cooler first.

    Culture, Art and History of Samos

    Ancient Samos under PolykratesIn archaic times, Samos was one of the wealthiest maritime powers in the Aegean. Under the tyrant Polykrates, the Eupalinos Tunnel, the ancient city's port, and the great temple in the Heraion were built in the 6th century BC. Since 1992, they have been collectively listed as the Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The island is home to the mathematician Pythagoras, the philosopher Epicurus, and the astronomer Aristarchus of Samos.Principality and Unification with GreeceFrom 1834 to 1912, Samos was a semi-autonomous principality under Ottoman suzerainty. From this period date the neoclassical administrative buildings and merchant houses in Vathy. In 1912, the island was united with Greece.Wine and FestivalsViticulture still shapes the terraces of Ambelos and Kerkis today; the sweet Muscat of Samos is the island's most famous wine and is marketed by a cooperative. In summer, the villages celebrate their Panigyria with music, dance, and communal meals; the dates depend on the church festivals of their respective patron saints.

    Exploring on site

    Buses and TaxisKTEL Samos connects Vathy, Pythagoreio, Karlovasi, Kokkari, and some beaches. Buses run several times a day on the main routes, but the mountain villages and southwest are poorly connected. You can buy tickets at the counter in Vathy or from the driver; timetables are displayed at bus stops. Taxis are available in Vathy, Pythagoreio, and at the airport.Car, Scooter, and On FootFor the mountain villages around Ambelos, the beaches in the southwest, and Kerkis, you'll need your own vehicle. Rental cars are available at the airport and in all larger towns; booking in advance is advisable in high season. The roads are well-maintained but winding, and the route over the mountain ridge between the north and south coasts is lengthy. Scooters are sufficient for coastal routes, but smaller engines struggle on the inclines inland.Old connecting paths between villages are marked, for example between Vourliotes and Manolates, or through the gorge near Potami. In midsummer, you should start early, as water is rarely found along the way.

    Accommodations in Samos

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    Nearby

    Ephesus

    Ephesus

    Ephesus is the major archaeological site of the Turkish Aegean, about an hour and a half by train south of İzmir. You come for the facade of the Celsus Library, the Great Theater, and the residential houses with mosaics and frescoes. Since 2015, Ephesus has been a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the small town of Selçuk is right next door.
    Selçuk & Şirince

    Selçuk & Şirince

    Selçuk is the small town right next to Ephesus, about an hour and a half by train south of İzmir, and the best base for the archaeological site. In the town are the Artemision, the İsa Bey Mosque, and the Ephesus Museum. About eight kilometers east, in the hills, lies the wine village of Şirince with its stone houses.
    Ikaria

    Ikaria

    Ikaria is one of the world's five so-called Blue Zones, where a striking number of people live past 90. The island between Samos and the Cyclades has few large hotel complexes; instead, it offers mountain villages, hot springs, and summer festivals that last until morning.You come for hiking on old mule tracks, for swimming on the north coast around Armenistis, and for the Panigyria. Schedules and opening hours are handled more casually here than elsewhere.
    Patmos

    Patmos

    Patmos, in the northern Dodecanese, has been a monastic island for nearly a thousand years: Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos granted it to the monk Christodoulos in 1088, and the monastery still shapes its architecture, land ownership, and daily rhythm.The Monastery, Cave of the Apocalypse, and the Chora have been collectively on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999. Large hotels and noisy nightlife are rare; the island appeals more to those seeking tranquility, hiking trails, and church history.
    Leros

    Leros

    Leros is an island whose main ferry port is shaped by Italian Rationalism: Lakki, then Portolago, was built in the 1930s as a planned town for the naval base, with round arches, arcades, and wide avenues. Additionally, there are bunkers, tunnels, and a war museum dedicated to the Battle of Leros of 1943.There are also swimming coves, but the island is particularly worthwhile for people who want to read history in the streetscape and are looking for an island without large hotel complexes.

    Sources & method

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