Kokkari Samos: Fishing Village, Beach and Where to Stay

A working fishing harbour backed by stone houses and tamarisk trees, widely rated as Samos' most photogenic village. Kokkari mixes a genuine local feel with a well-developed strip of seafood tavernas, and sits within easy reach of two clear-water pebble coves and the mountain villages inland: making it a strong choice as a base for the whole trip, not just a stop.

What to see and do

1. 1The harbour and old town: narrow lanes of stone houses behind the working fishing port, best seen on an evening stroll.
2. 2Tsamadou and Lemonakia beaches: two pebble coves with clear water a short walk east of the village, among the best swimming on the island.
3. 3Windsurfing and kitesurfing: Kokkari's bay catches consistent afternoon wind, with schools renting equipment in season.
4. 4Day trips inland: Kokkari is the natural starting point for driving up to Vourliotes and Manolates in the hills above.
5. 5Harbour-front dinners: The strip of seafood tavernas along the harbour is the heart of a Kokkari evening. Our restaurant guide helps you choose where to sit down.
6. 6Staying in the village: If Kokkari becomes your base for the whole trip, compare the hotels in and around the village before you book.
7. 7A village with three faces: Kokkari has a fishing port, hotels and rooms to let, and a windsurf school in the village. It stands 5 m above sea level and had 933 inhabitants at the 2021 census.
8. 8The road to the mountain: A winding road of about 8 km climbs through pine woods and vines to Manolates, a drive of 20–25 minutes. The village sits at 360 m on the Ampelos, with 188 inhabitants.
9. 9On the coast road: Agios Konstantinos lies between Kokkari and Karlovasi. It has 331 inhabitants, no central plane-tree square, and cafés and tavernas strung along a pebble shore laid out as a promenade.

Before you go

Kokkari suits travellers who want a village with a genuine local feel but enough tavernas and places to stay to make it an easy base. The beach draws windsurfers and kitesurfers, so the wind is part of the appeal rather than a drawback. From here, the pebble coves of Tsamadou and Lemonakia and the inland mountain villages all make easy outings.

There is no direct bus line from Samos airport to Kokkari: you change at Vathy, which takes nearly 1 h 45 by bus, against about 25 minutes by car. Vathy and Karlovasi are the island's two main ferry ports, and in summer a few ferries also call at Pythagorion. Kokkari sits on the EO 62, the coastal road linking Vathy and Karlovasi and the best-maintained artery on the island. The village's own published distances give 10 km to Samos Town and 20 km to Karlovasi. More in Getting There.

A windsurf school is based in the village. The documented summer wind on Samos is the Meltemi, which blows from the north and complicates the approach to the airport. Lemonakia and Tsamadou lie about 2 km to the west, and Tsamadou consists of two pebble coves beneath the cliffs. Vourliotes, at 330 m with 455 inhabitants, was classified a place of particular natural beauty in 2002. Like Manolates, it is not served by KTEL buses, so a car is needed. For the wind and the school, see windsurfing in Kokkari.

Tours near Kokkari

Full-day tourfrom US$69

8 hours Coastal hotels (pickup available) 4.9 (8)

Samos: Full-Day Island Bus Tour (Starting from West Samos)

• Hotel pickup available from Kokkari
• A guided loop of the island's main villages and viewpoints

Best for: A first-day overview of the island

See prices & availability

Top pickfrom US$58

6 hours Coastal hotels (pickup available) 4.8 (26)

Samos: East Coast Boat Trip with Lunch and Drinks

• Hotel pickup available from Kokkari
• Lunch and drinks included

Best for: A relaxed day on the water

See prices & availability

Frequently asked questions

Practical details (opening times, prices) change. Verify before you go. Last updated September 2026.