Marathokampos & Votsalakia, Samos: West Coast Guide

Samos' longest sandy beach, backed by Mount Kerkis rather than a built-up strip. This is the quiet side of the island: fewer crowds than the east coast, at the cost of a longer drive to the airport and Pythagoreio (45–60 minutes). Marathokampos is the village up the hill; Votsalakia is the beach at the bottom. It's also the practical base for hikers heading up Kerkis.

What to see and do

1. 1Votsalakia beach: a long stretch of sand, ideal if you want space rather than a beach club; it can be breezy on the exposed west side.
2. 2Marathokampos village: a hillside village above the coast, with tavernas and a more local rhythm.
3. 3Mount Kerkis: the trailhead base for Samos' highest peak (1,434 m). A serious hike, not a stroll.
4. 4Sunsets: the west-facing coast is the best place on the island to watch the sun go down.
5. 5More hiking: Kerkis is the big climb, but the island has other trails worth combining with a stay on the west coast.
6. 6Renting a car: With the airport and Pythagoreio 45 to 60 minutes away, it is worth knowing what to expect before you rent.
7. 7Mount Kerkis above the bay: Kerkis is the highest point of Samos at 1,434 m, and its summit is called Vigla. It is protected as Natura 2000 sites GR4120008 and GR4120003, home to the critically endangered Consolida samia.
8. 8If you plan to climb: No road reaches the summit. A car can drive about 20 minutes up a gravel track to the trailheads, but the tracks are in poor condition in early summer.
9. 9The bay and the village: The municipal unit had 2,401 inhabitants in 2021 over 87.250 km², the smallest of the island's four. It groups six villages and the seaside resort of Kampos Marathokampou, known as Votsalakia.
10. 10Getting here: Votsalakia lies 7 km from Marathokampos, 35 km from Karlovasi and 50 km from Samos Town. Marathokampos is 35 km, about 1 h, from Pythagoreio via Psili Ammos and the Heraion.

Getting around

The west coast rewards travellers who don't mind distance. The drive to the airport and Pythagoreio takes 45 to 60 minutes, so a car makes day trips east much easier. In return you get fewer crowds than on the east coast, a long sandy beach and sunsets over the sea. Hikers can start the climb up Mount Kerkis from here.

From Votsalakia, allow about 4 hours for the ascent alone on the classic route. Trails are marked with blue crosses or small figures, but after the second monastery the path is less well marked and the stones are loose. Return trips often take 8 hours or more. The route crosses pine forest, monasteries and chapels, including Evangelistria, Profitis Elias and Zoodochos Pigi, before the bare rocky ridges. The circular grand tour is about 14 km with over 1,000 m of cumulative ascent: a full day. Start before 7 a.m. to avoid the heat.

The recommended kit is walking shoes, a warm layer even in summer, at least 3 litres of water, snacks, sun cream, a hat, a map or offline GPS, a head torch and a power bank. Hiking is possible all year thanks to mild winters and pleasant springs and autumns. Strong winds, dense fog, heatwaves and sudden storms make the mountain dangerous, so go early and tell someone your route and your return time. Routes and difficulty are covered on the Mount Kerkis page.

Tours from the west coast

The Samiopoula boat tour is aimed at travellers based on the quiet west coast.

Boat cruisefrom US$81

8 hours Coastal hotels (small group, meal included) 4.7 (88)

Samos: Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch to Samiopoula

• The uninhabited islet of Samiopoula, off the south coast
• BBQ lunch included, small-group boat

Best for: Travellers based on the west coast, quieter swim spots

See prices & availability

Frequently asked questions

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