Samos

Samos Island is located a short distance off the coast of Turkey and is among the most visited islands in the North Eastern Aegean. It is a particularly green island and, despite the catastrophic fire that burned an important part of its vegetation, it has preserved a large part of its splendid green forests. It has busy tourist spots, beaches, intense nightlife but also secluded bays, traditional towns, picturesque villages such as Pythagorio, Mytilini, Mavratzei, highly valuable archaeological sites, and peaceful places. The island has a rather suggestive capital, Vathy, where buildings in Venetian, neoclassical and modern style coexist.
Its economy is based on tourism, agriculture and fishing. The best product of the island is its sweet Muscat wine. The honey produced here is also excellent.
The Phoenicians were the first to give the island the name of Samos, which in the Phoenician language means "high".
From the archaeological excavations carried out it is thought that Samos was inhabited during the Neolithic period. The first settlers of the island were the Pelasgians, the Phoenicians, the Lelegi and the Carians, followed by the Mycenaeans. Samos is the homeland of the astronomer Aristarchus, the first to claim that the sun is at the center of the universe; of the philosopher Epicurus, of the fable writer Aesop and of Pythagoras, the great mathematician. The figure of Pythagoras still persists today as there is a village called Pythagorio, a Pythagoras Square in Vathi and a cave on the island where it is said that Pythagoras hid to escape the tyrant Polycrates, his political opponent.
During the Peloponnesian War the island was taken by the Spartans. Later it came under the domination of the Romans, the Venetians and the Genoese. In 1453 the island of Samos passed to the Turks. In 1832 the hegemony of Samos was established. It was then annexed by Greece in 1912.p'
The island has a good quality bus service which serves several locations and beaches until 8pm.
From the capital of the island there are 13 daily buses to Kokkari and Pythagorio, 8 to Agios Konstantinos and Agios Dimitrios, 7 to Karlovassi, 6 to Hereon, 5 to Mytilini and 2 to Ormos Marathokampou, Avlakia and Votsalakia. From Pythagorio village there are daily 6 buses to Hereon and 2 buses to Mytilini and Karlovassi. From Karlovassi village there are daily buses to Agioi Theodori, Pirgos, Koumandarei, Vathy, Pythagorio, Hora, Ormos Marathokampou, Votsalakia, Agia Kyriaki and Drakei.
During the summer there are also buses that connect the capital to the beaches of Tsamadou, Psili Ammos and Hereon. Also during the summer there are fishing boats that connect the capital to Pythagorio.
Here are some useful numbers:
Bus station: +30 22730 27262
Taxi service in Samos Town: +30 22730 28404
Taxi service in Kokkari: +30 22730 92585

The island of Samos can be reached by plane or by ferry.

The “Aristarchos” airport of Samos is located 4 km west of Pythagorio. 4 daily flights connect the island to Athens (the flight duration is about an hour) and two weekly flights connect it with the city of Thessaloniki, in northern Greece.
Transportation to and from the airport is mainly provided by taxi service. The cost from the airport to the capital is around 15 euros. There is also a bus to the capital and to the city of Pythagorio and Ireon.
For more information:
Aristarchos International Airport, Samos
Tel.: +30 22730 87800
E-mail: kasmtl@hcaa.gr
Taxi service: +30 22730 61440

During the summer, ferries connect the island to several ports including Piraeus, other Eastern Aegean Islands and Turkey, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.
Three daily ferries go to the island of Ikaria (journey time is about 2.5 hours), and one ferry goes to the small island of Fourni (about 2 hours). There are also three weekly ferries to Chios (4 hours), and one weekly to Lesbos (7 hours), Lemnos (11 hours), Alexandroupolis (20 hours) and Kavala (20 hours). Two daily ferries connect the island to the port of Piraeus (13 hours).

Samos

There are beautiful places to visit on the island
Kokkari
It is located 10 km northwest of Vathy and is a very picturesque tourist place which fascinates with its special atmosphere. Fishing boats and yachts moor in its small harbour.

Pythagorion
It is located 11 km southwest of Vathy and is one of the most beautiful places on Samos. It becomes very popular in the summer. Built around the port, it stands out for its traditional architecture and beautiful coastline.

Karlovassi
Beautiful villas and rich vegetation distinguish this small town 32 km northwest of Vathy, on the northern part of the island. It is one of the most beautiful villages on the island.

Shrine of Heraion
Legend has it that the goddess Hera was born and raised in this area. This is why a sanctuary dedicated to Hera was built in ancient times. The temple was destroyed in the 6th century BC. for unknown reasons. Later the sanctuary became a Christian church.

Tunnel of Eupalinus
The tunnel is dry today but in the past it was the aqueduct of the ancient city of Samos and one of the greatest technological achievements of antiquity.

Castle of Lykourgos Logothetis
It is located southwest of the port of Pythagorio and was built in the 19th century by Lykourgos Logothetis, leader of the Revolution of Samos against the Turks. In the courtyard of the castle two Roman galleries and a beautiful church were found.

Monastery of Panagia Spiliani
Situated on a hill near Pythagorio it offers a splendid view over the village and the harbour.

waterfalls
Near the towns of Karlovassi and Potami, there is an area of ​​natural beauty with dense vegetation, small rivers and waterfalls. It is the ideal place for walking in nature.

Samiopoula Island
Its name means "little Samos" and it is easily accessible from the ports of Pythagorio and Ormos Marathokambou. Its beauty attracts many tourists who come to the two sandy beaches of the island in search of tranquillity.

Panagia Vrontiani monastery
It is the oldest monastery on the island of Samos, built in 1476 and renovated many times, the first in 1566, then in 1702 and in 1960. It is surrounded by a very dense forest. The Monastery is famous for its icons of great artistic value.

The capital of the island of Samos
Vathy
Located on the eastern part of Samos, Vathy is the capital and also the largest port of the island. It is also called Samos and is built amphitheatrically around a cove. It has a population of about 9,000 and continues to expand.
Old Venetian and neoclassical buildings mix with others of new construction, forming a very suggestive scenario.
Vathy is a very livable place, full of tourist facilities, accommodation, bars, night clubs. Its port is one of the three main ports of the island. Narrow streets wind between the old houses located near the port. The houses were built close to each other and have narrow windows and colorful walls. All the buildings have red tiled roofs and brightly painted walls.
The city is divided into the upper city, where the oldest part is located, and the lower city, which is the most touristic area. On the promenade there are bars, shops, restaurants, taverns. Pythagora Square is the main square where there is a statue of a lion, a symbol of courage of the inhabitants of the island.

To be seen
St. Spyridon Church
It is located in Vathy, the capital of the island, in the Square of St. Spyridon. It is a historically important church because it is the place where the decision was made to unite Samos with the rest of Greece.
The church celebrates the feast day of St. Spyridon on 12 December.

Monastery of Aghia Zoni
It was built in 1695 and is located 5 km from Vathy.

Pythagoras Square or Lion Square
Located near the sea, it has, in its center, a large marble statue depicting a lion, a symbol of the courage of the inhabitants of the island.

Parliament
It is a 19th century neoclassical building, seat of the Parliament of Samos, granted by the Greek state to the municipality of Samos in 1950. The building is also home to the city's post office and art gallery.

Chapel of Ai-Giannakis
Exceptional example of post-Byzantine architecture.

Samos

Museums
Archaeological Museum
It is located in Vathy, near the port. It exhibits finds from excavations carried out on the island ranging from the Prehistoric to the Hellenistic Periods. The major work, truly impressive, is the Colossal Kouros: a statue, representing a man, 5.5 meters high.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays) from 08.30 to 15.00.
Ticket price: €3 (full price) €2 (reduced)
For more information:
Tel.: +30 22730 27469

Archaeological Collection of Pythagorio
It is based in the municipality of the locality of Pythagorio. The collection includes sculptures, inscriptions, statues and tomb remains dating back to the Archaic and Roman periods. At the moment the collection is not very rich as many of the objects are kept in warehouses but it is slowly enriching itself due to the continuous excavations made in the area.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays) from 08.30 to 15.00.
Ticket price: €3 (full price) €2 (reduced).
For more information:
Tel.: +30 22730 61400

Fossil Museum of Samos
It is located in the resort of Mytilini. It was founded by Ionannis Melentism, professor of paleontology at the University of Thessaloniki. It is supposed to be the only paleontological museum in all of Greece and exhibits fossils and remains of prehistoric animals and the small Samos horse which has three toes and is millions of years old.
For more information:
E-mail: nhmsam@otenet.gr
ezhm23@otenet.gr

natural History Museum
It is located in the city of Mytilini.
The museum is open Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 14:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 14:00.
Ticket price: €3 (full price) €2 (reduced).
For more information:
Tel.: +30 22730 52055

Dimitriou Folklore Museum
It was established with the help of the “Nikolaos Dimitriou Literary Foundation” in 1997 in Pythagorion.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday) from 08.30 to 15.00.
For more information:
Tel.: +30 22730 88383 / 62286 / 88300
E-mail: pnedim@otenet.gr

Beaches
The island of Samos is famous throughout Greece for its beautiful beaches with white sand and crystal clear water. Many of these idyllic beaches have become highly organized tourist spots also for practicing various water sports. They are also very often surrounded by restaurants, bars and hotels. The island also has secluded bays and quiet, unspoilt beaches left to their natural beauty.

Potokaki beach
It is located 14 km southwest of Vathy and is a pleasant golden sandy beach near Pythagorion on the southern side of the island. It is organized with sun loungers and umbrellas and gets very crowded in the summer.

Lemonakia beach
It is located 13 km northwest of Vathy. It is a very characteristic beach located near the tourist resort of Kokkari and has very soft sand.

Kerveli beach
Located on the eastern side of Samos, it is 7 km southeast of Vathy. Kerveli is an unorganized and isolated beach. Surrounded by a lot of greenery, this small bay is the ideal place for some tranquility.

Heraion beach
It is located 17km southwest of Vathy and is a delightful fishing port. It takes its name from the well-known temple of Hera located a short distance from the beach.

Psili Ammos beach
It is located 11 km southeast of Vathy and is a large sandy beach which becomes very popular during the summer. The beach is organized with many umbrellas and sunbeds.

Fun
Samos island is the most popular destination of the Northeastern Aegean Islands. This is why it offers an intense nightlife and is full of modern bars and clubs especially in the areas of Vathy, Karlovassi, Kokkari and Pythagorio. In the latter location, the Anniversary of the Battle of Mikali is celebrated on 6 August. A religious ceremony and swimming tournaments also take place. For the occasion, a typical local dish, the "giorti", is served, while girls dressed in traditional costumes dance the traditional dance, the "Sirtos", in a circle. Also in the town of Pythagorio, the fisherman's festival is organized in June where free wine and fresh fish are served and people dance all night long.