Things to Do in Samos: 12 Places to Visit and See
Things to do in Samos: 12 places, from UNESCO-listed Pythagoreio and the Heraion to the west coast, with what to expect and how to reach each one.
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Samos at a glance: north, south, east, west and the interior
Samos is a mountainous island, and its geography decides how you spend your days. The east is the practical hub: Vathy, the capital and main port for ferries from Piraeus, sits at the head of its bay, and the airport lies on the south-east coast about 3 km from Pythagoreio.
The south coast around Pythagoreio holds the UNESCO sites: the Eupalinos Tunnel about 2 km from the port and the Heraion about 6 km away, with Kasonisi for sheltered swimming. The north coast is greener, with Kokkari about 10 km from Vathy and the pebble coves of Tsamadou and Lemonakia 2 km beyond it.
The west is the quiet side: Karlovasi, the second town and second ferry port, the Potami Waterfalls just beyond it, and Marathokampos and Votsalakia below Mount Kerkis, which rises to 1,434 m. The interior is mountain and pine forest, with stone villages such as Manolates and Ambelos on the slopes of the Ampelos.
North coast
Vathy, the island's capital, and the coast and villages west of it.
Beach & villageKokkari
A working fishing village on the north coast, about 10 km from Vathy and the starting point for Tsamadou and Lemonakia beaches.
Culture & historyVathy (Samos Town)
The island capital and its archaeological museum, home to 5,951 residents and the main port for ferries from Piraeus.
Wildlife & natureManolates & Ambelos
Stone villages clinging to the northern slopes of Mount Ampelos above the pine forest, about 21 km from Vathy; Ambelos is known for its wine.
BeachTsamadou & Lemonakia Beaches
Two pebble coves about 2 to 3 km from Kokkari, with clear water, pine shade and among the best swimming on the north coast.
South-east
Pythagoreio and the ancient sites around it.
Culture & history (UNESCO)Pythagoreio
UNESCO harbour town and birthplace of Pythagoras, listed in 1992 with the Heraion, about 11 km from Vathy and 3 km from the airport.
Culture & history (UNESCO)Heraion of Samos
The ancient sanctuary of Hera by the sea, about 6 km from Pythagoreio harbour and inscribed by UNESCO in 1992.
Culture & history (UNESCO)Eupalinos Tunnel
A 6th-century BC feat of engineering: an aqueduct, 1,036 m long, cut through Mount Kastro at Pythagoreio and part of the UNESCO property.
BeachKasonisi Islet
Sheltered swimming off the south coast at a small islet joined to the shore by a causeway, with a chapel, reached by car from Pythagoreio.
West and the mountains
Karlovasi, the waterfalls and Samos' highest mountain.
Wildlife & naturePotami Waterfalls
A shaded gorge walk to two waterfalls, 2.5 km from Karlovasi on the road west and about 33 km from Vathy.
Culture & historyKarlovasi
Samos' second town and a ferry port on the north-west coast, about 31 km from Vathy, with old tanneries and the University of the Aegean.
Wildlife & natureMount Kerkis
The island's highest peak at 1,434 m, rising west of Marathokampos, with a Natura 2000 nature reserve covering its upper slopes.
BeachMarathokampos & Votsalakia
The quiet west coast, about 34 km from Vathy, where a long pebble-and-sand beach runs in front of Votsalakia below Mount Kerkis.
Where to base yourself, depending on your trip
- A short stay or a first visit. Pythagoreio puts the airport, the UNESCO sites and the boat trips within a few minutes. From there, Vathy is about 20 minutes by road.
- Beaches and village life. Kokkari combines a lively waterfront with Tsamadou and Lemonakia a short walk away, and Vathy about 10 km along the coast.
- Hiking, peace and long beaches. The west (Karlovasi, Marathokampos, Votsalakia) is the base for Mount Kerkis and the Potami gorge, at the cost of 45 to 60 minutes to the airport and Pythagoreio. A car makes it much easier.
- Ferries and island hopping. Vathy is the main port for Piraeus; Karlovasi is the second port. Check which port your ferry uses before you choose a base.
For hotels by area, see where to stay in Samos, and for the routes between these places, getting to and around Samos.
The areas of Samos compared
| Area | From Vathy | From the airport | Nearest port | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vathy (Samos Town) | Capital | 13.8 km, about 17 min | Vathy (main port) | Working town, museum, waterfront |
| Pythagoreio | About 14 km, 20 min | 3.4 km, about 6 min | Pythagoreio harbour | UNESCO harbour town, boat trips |
| Kokkari | About 10 km | 22.9 km, about 26 min | Vathy | Fishing village, pebble beaches |
| Karlovasi | About 31 km | 33.8 km, about 40 min | Karlovasi (second port) | Student town, gateway to the west |
| Marathokampos & Votsalakia | About 34 km | 37 km, about 42 min | Karlovasi | Quiet long beach below Mount Kerkis |
| Manolates & Ambelos | About 21 km | Via Kokkari | Vathy | Mountain villages, wine, forest |
Road distances from our place guides and the airport transfer table, usual off-peak driving times.
Frequently asked questions
For a first visit, Pythagoreio is the most practical: 6 minutes from the airport and close to the UNESCO sites. Kokkari suits beach and village stays, and the west suits hikers who want quiet and have a car.
Not for the east, where buses link Vathy, Pythagoreio and Kokkari. For the west, Mount Kerkis and the mountain villages, a car saves a lot of time, as buses on that side run less often.
Three days cover the east and the UNESCO sites; five to seven let you add the north coast, the mountain villages and the west. Our Samos itineraries lay out each option.
Pythagoreio and the Heraion were inscribed together in 1992, and the Eupalinos Tunnel is part of the same property.
Tsamadou and Lemonakia near Kokkari, Votsalakia on the west coast and Kasonisi near Pythagoreio are among the most visited. Our guide to the best beaches compares them all.
How many days do you have?
Turn this list into a day-by-day itinerary with the Trip Planner, adding bookable tours where they fit your days. To see how far apart these places are, see the map of Samos first; to pick a base, compare the old towns of Samos.
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