hot spots
The Greek island of Samos is located in the eastern Aegean Sea, in front of the Ionian coast of Asia Minor. The island has 32,977 inhabitants (2011). The main town is the eponymous city of Samos, formerly also called Kato Vathy (Κάτω Βαθύ) or Limin Vatheos (Λιμήν Βαθέος).
The island of Samos is located in the East Aegean Sea and is off the coast of Asia Minor. In the southeast you finde the strait of Mykali, it's about 6 kilometers long and only 1.7 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. It separates the island from the Turkish mainland.
With an area of 477,942 km² Samos is the eighth largest island in Greece. Samos reaches a maximum length of over 44.3 kilometers. It has a width of 19 kilometers from the center of the island.
The mountainous part with heights above 900 meters takes more than four percent of the island, dominated by the two massifs of Kerkis (Κέρκης) and Ambelos (Άμπελος). Flatlands and plains up to 150 meters in altitude occupy almost a third of the island's area with almost 160 km².
Northern winds prevail on Samos. The Meltemi blows constantly from northern directions in the months of July and August. The winds in November and December can reach storm character.
Samos is one of the sunniest areas in Greece, the annual sunshine duration is 2884.8 hours.
Tsabou Beach
It is a beach with thick pebbles, with deep and clear water. Just like in the other beaches in the area, large waves are generated here whenever the north wind blows. The beach is paid and well organized, equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas. Right next to it there is another small beach, a little more secluded. Visitors can enjoy a meal or refreshment in a tavern, very close to the sea. There are no accommodations near the beach, but a few kilometers away. Unlike the beaches of Lemonakia and Tsamadou, the visitor can reach the beach by car.
Tsamadou Beach
It is a pebble beach with turquoise and crystal clear water. Here the water gets deep in abruptly, depending on the topography of the sea size and large waves are generated whenever the north wind blows. It is paid and organized, equipped with umbrellas and deck chairs. Along the beach the visitor can find restaurants and beach bars where he can enjoy his coffee, drinks and food after his swim.
Svala Beach Insider tip!
It is a beach with shallow pebbles, just before Agios Konstatinos. Very quiet and pleasant. The beach is managed and there are sunbeds with umbrellas. These are free if something is eaten or drunk. In the evening the goats come by.
Mikro Saitani Beach
It is a pebble beach with deep and crystal clear water in a wild and breathtaking landscape. The beach is quite secluded, unorganized and not chargeable, but it is worth the effort to stop here and jump into the water on the way from or to Megalo Seitani. The only way to reach the beach is on foot, as the road is about 2 km. far and ends on the Potami site. Duration about 40 min minutes.
Megalo Saitani Beach
After Mikro Seitani the path continues for about 2 km. on a magical track with great views and as a destination one of the most beautiful beaches of the island, namely Megalo Seitani (about 350 meters long). It is a beach with coarse sand and fairly deep, clear water. The beach is completely unorganized, not chargeable and secluded, so the visitor should get all the necessary things. In the area there are no accommodation facilities to stay. It should be noted that Megalo Seitani can also be reached by boat from the port of Karlovasi. From Mikro Saitani another 30 minutes.
Potami Beach
About 1 km long, slightly crescent-shaped curved beach 2-3 km west of Karlovassi with sand, gravel and pebble areas. Simple taverns and nice beach bars. Cafe del Mundo and Restaurant Hippy's are recommended.
Lemonakia Beach
It is a beach with pebbles and deep clear water, where big waves are generated whenever the north wind blows. The beach is paid and well organized, equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, and the visitor can enjoy his coffee or food in the tavern right next to the sea.
Tsopela Beach Insider tip!
Two bays located at the end of a 6 km long difficult gravel road with some pebble beach and a quaint tavern under old trees. A few umbrellas are rented on the beach. Janis and Anna make excellent fresh fish, salads and potatoes. A strenuous drive that is well worth it.
Bathing shoes are strongly recommended for all beaches!
It has of course many more great beaches. Here are a few more ideas! Visit Samos Website Tripadvisor Website
All restaurants and bars were tested by me and a new review was made every year. They are the TOP restaurant and bars!
Restaurant:
Orizontas Restaurant, Platanos
+30 22730 39457
Fantastic cuisine with a sensational view of both sides of the island. Young team that makes a new Greek cuisine. A reservation is important.
Kosmos Tavern, Avlakia
+30 22730 94475
Small but nice. Continuously new dishes with a top quality. A reservation is important.
Stella, Balos Beach
+30 694 753 5325
The team with Kiriakos spoils the guests here on a top level. A reservation is important.
Ammos Plaz, Kokkari
+30 22730 92463
Traditional cuisine directly on the beach. Top value for money and quality.
La Casa, Kokkari
+30 22730 92112
Traditional cuisine right on the harbor. Top value for money and quality.
Bar:
Cafe del Mundo, Karlovasi Potami Beach
Beautifully built bar on the hill. Here you can especially enjoy the sunset.
Cafe del Mar, Kokkari
Directly at the beach of Kokkari on the road in the village. Start or end the evening with the sound of the waves.
Heraion
About 10 kilometers before Pythagorio lies Heraion, the remains of the massive temple of Hera from the 6th century B.C. At that time it was one of the largest temple complexes in Greece, today only one column still stands upright. Next to it, there are still some remains to see. Most exciting however is the size of the sight, and the idea that this was all once a temple. Today, the Heraion is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight.
The sight was dedicated to Hera, the wife of Zeus. According to legend, she was born on Samos.
One of the ancient statues from the sanctuary can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Samos, along with other findings.
Tunnel of the Eupalinos
The tunnel is a real masterpiece of ancient engineering, the water pipe inside it supplied Samos town (now Pythagório) with fresh spring water for over 1000 years.
In 550 BC the city grew rapidly, the new quarters had to be supplied with water. The spring was located outside the city walls, but it had to provide the city with a reliable supply even in the event of an enemy siege. So they planned an underground water conduit, whose biggest problem was the Ambelos mountain, which had to be crossed.
The architect Eupalinos of Megara managed this masterpiece, he had a 1036 meter long horizontal tunnel built in about 15 years. Tools were hammer and chisel, the measuring instruments were ancient leveling devices, with the help of which it was possible to measure so precisely that excavations from the two ends of the tunnel were possible.
A trench was then dug in the tunnel, 4 meters deep at the entrance and 8 meters deep at the exit, creating a slope for the water. Today 180 meters of the tunnel are accessible to visitors.
From the main road Samos - Pythagorion a small road (sign Efpalinos) leads off, just before the entrance there is a small parking area. It is best to wear non-slip shoes, if necessary bring a sweater.
Panagia Spiliani
On the slope of Ambelos hill above the village of Pythagório you can find the church of Panagía Spilianí. The small church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and built in a cave in the rock, inside there is a legendary icon of Mary.
Once you get up the mountain, you first come to a terrace with benches, you can get drinks and have a great view over the bay and the airport. From the terrace, steps lead into the rock grotto. At the end of the grotto is a fountain with water that is considered healing.
Pythagorio is the main tourist town of the island. In the immediate vicinity are worth seeing ancient highlights such as the tunnel of Eupalinos or the old city wall.
The ancient city wall of Pythagório
The city wall that protected the ancient city of Samos was over six kilometers long, 6 meters high, up to 5 meters thick and had several towers. It stretched from the harbor up to Mount Ambelos. Parts and traces of this ancient massive structure can still be seen today: Especially on the Ambelos mountain, where several hundred meters of the wall can be visited.
Cave of the Pytagoras
The philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras of Samos, yes exactly the one with the right triangle, hid in a cave from the persecution by the tyrant Polykratis. Others say that he used the cave only to be able to philosophize in peace. This cave is located on the slope of the mountain Kerketa in the Kerkis massif. 320 steps lead up to it.
Even the way up is steep and arduous: a gravel road leads to a parking lot, and from there it is still a good walk up the mountain. Along the way, you'll pass two monastiris (chapels).
Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view. You can get a few meters into the cave.
Potami Waterfalls
It is a beautiful hike: from the resort of Potami (a sign points the way), a hiking trail starts through the forest along the watercourse. The first stop is the oldest Byzantine church on the island, Chapel of Metamorfosis. Directly above is a Byzantine fort.
We continue on the path under shady trees, along the small river, which we cross several times. After about 15 minutes the water has to pass through a channel of the towering rock walls. Here it is best to put on the swimwear you brought with you and wade through the water. Important: Just in case, you should be able to swim.
At the end of the channel is an idyllic little waterfall in the forest. By the way, if you don't want to go through the canal, you can also take the stairs and the path above the gorge (being free from giddiness is an advantage).
Links: Sights Samos Online Marco Polo