THINGS TO DO IN SAMOS

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Samos is a beautiful Greek island with a rich history and stunning natural landscapes. Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor activities, or simply relaxing on the beach, Samos has something to offer. Here are some of the best things you can do on the island.

1. Rent a car and explore the island

Samos has some great scenic drives with beautiful photo opportunities. Renting a car is the best way of exploring the island at your own pace and gives you the freedom to plan your own trip. It offers the opportunity to visit some inaccessible parts of the island, like the more isolated beaches (Livadaki Beach) and enjoy some amazing viewpoints along the way (like Zoodohos Pigi Monastery).

More information about the best viewpoints and photo spots on the island can be found on this map.

2. Swim and relax on one of the amazing beaches

Visit at least one of the 3 best pebble beaches on the north coast of the island with crystal clear waters (Tsamadou, Tsabou or Lemonakia); alternatively, visit Psili Ammos for fine sand and great views to Turkey or Psili (Chrysi Ammos) on the southwest coast for the best fine sand on the island.

More information about the best beaches on the island can be found here.

3. Visit the seaside villages of Pythagorio, Kokkari & Vathy

Pythagorio and Kokkari are the most picturesque seaside villages in Samos and a visit is a must. Both harbours are lined by tavernas and cafes to enjoy some food or a drink while watching the world go by.

Vathy (or Samos Town) is also a nice place for an evening walk on the promenade by the harbour.

For more information about the best villages and towns to visit click here.

4. Hike to Potami Waterfalls

These beautiful waterfalls are located near the town of Karlovassi and it’s one of the best hikes on the island. There is no proper car park, but you can leave your car on the main road before the trail starts. You will need to wear your swimsuit and also swim shoes are recommended, as it can be a bit painful walking among the rocks on the river.

The first part of the hike is a 15min walk through a beautiful forest by the river that leads you to an opening, where the second part of the hike starts at the first waterfall.

This is considered as the ‘small waterfall’. It is advisable to leave your bag by the riverbed because to get there you will need to get yourself into the water (up to your neck) as you walk or swim through the pools in the narrow gorge. This takes about 10min until you reach the base of the first waterfall. Small but beautiful.

Now you have the option of climbing to the top of the waterfall to continue the hike or go back and take a different easier but longer path to the second waterfall (the ‘big waterfall’). The first option is very tricky and better to be avoided.

The second option is to climb a steep wooden stairway (lots of steps) to a cafe/restaurant at the top, where you can leave your stuff at the reception and then take the path down to rejoin the river. Then the trail continues through the river for another 20min until you reach the big waterfall (6m high) and a nice pool at its base. It is possible to climb up the waterfall with the rope hanging.

If you need to take pictures I will recommend a waterproof camera; it’s safer to leave your phone at the cafe.

Photo Gallery

5. Admire the Tunnel of Eupalinos

The tunnel is considered one of the wonders of ancient Greece and an amazing piece of engineering. The tunnel of about 1km in length was designed by Eupalinos and constructed in the 6th century BC to serve as a safe aqueduct in case of siege and to supply water to the ancient town of Pythagorio.

There are guided tours every 20 minutes that you can book from the ticket office. I would recommend the longer tour of 40 minutes (20min to walk in and 20min to walk back). You will be supplied with a safety helmet, but be warned the tunnel is quite narrow and low in places and also can be quite cold inside. To be honest there is not a lot to see inside but it’s worth visiting to experience this engineering marvel and the tour is quite informative.

An extraordinary fact about the construction of the tunnel is that it was excavated by two different teams from both ends & they met in the middle with a deviation of merely 40 centimetres, which proves the genius of Eupalinos design and its mathematical calculations.

• Opening hours: Mon-Sun 8.30am-3.30pm (closed on Tue)
• Entrance Fee: €8-€10
• Website: www.eupalinos-tunnel.gr

6. Visit the Heraion

The Heraion is an archaeological site from the 6th century BC and it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 jointly with the remains of the ancient city of Pythagorio. It was a sacred sanctuary dedicated to the Greek goddess of Hera.

This is one of the best things to do if you are interested in the history and culture of ancient Greece.

It’s definitely worth a visit but don’t expect a great deal apart from mainly ruins with little information. The most impressive sight is the remains of the massive temple of goddess Hera with its sole standing column.

The site is not very big and you can explore it in about 30min. Be aware that the site is exposed to the sun and it can be very hot during summer.

• Opening hours: Mon-Sun 8.30am-3.30pm (closed Tue)
• Entrance Fee: €6

7. Climb to the Cave of Pythagoras

The cave is located on Mount Kerkis, near the town of Marathokampos. Pythagoras was a famous philosopher and mathematician and according to local legend, he used the cave as a hiding place when he was chased by the tyrant Polycrates.

The cave is high on a steep cliff that you can access by steps. It is a bit tiring especially in the heat so it’s better to visit in the evening or early morning,

There are actually two caves, the most accessible is the larger of the two caves, which was used as a classroom for teaching; there is a small chapel that was constructed in later years at the entrance. The smaller cave was used as his dwelling, which is a bit higher up. Both provide nice views of the valley and surrounding area

To be honest there is nothing there exciting to see but its setting makes it worth the effort.

There are two ways to get there by car, one from Kampos Marathokampou through a dirt road and the other. which I highly recommend is from the village of Marathakampos, smooth tarmac all the way and the drive is very scenic as you can see the whole coast.

8. Visit the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani

The Monastery of Panagia Spiliani is located at the top of a hill close to Pythagorio and provides great views of the surrounding area and coast. There is a man-made cave with a small underground chapel at the end. The cave contains a famous icon of the Virgin Mary of the Cave. You can hike there from Pythagorio or visit by car.

You can combine it with a trip to the tunnel of Eupalinos, as they are very close together.

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9. Try one of the hiking trails

I highly recommend a hike to Mikro and Megalo Seitani beaches from Potami Beach. This is one of the most popular hikes in Samos, as it leads to two of the most beautiful beaches on the island, Mikro and Megalo Seitani.

To save time and make the hike easier, you can drive west from Potami up to the end of a dirt road, leave your car and then start the walk. It’s an 80min walk to Megalo Seitani (40min to Mikro Seitani halfway) with lots of elevations, so a bit of fitness is needed and shoes are recommended (no flip flops). Definitely worth it for the wonderful views.

A good website with information on various hikes in Samos can be found here.

10. Walk around the Castle of Lykourgos Logothetis

The Castle of Lykourgos Logothetis is located at the harbour of Pythagorio on a small hill. It is named after a resistance leader from the War of Independence against the Turks and dates back to the 19th century.

You can access the site for free, but the tower is only open on Sat & Sunday. The rest of the site includes some byzantine remains and offers some nice views over Pythagorio Bay and then to the coastline on the other side.

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11. Experience the famous Samian Muscat Wine

Samian wine is a sweet dessert wine made from the Muscat grape variety. It’s been famous since ancient times when it was exported around the Mediterranean. You can visit the Wine Museum in Vathy for a tour of the wine production process and learn of the history of wine-making in Samos. A highlight at the end of the visit is that you can taste the wine and sample a few varieties. I would avoid buying at the shop as it is too expensive and you can buy your wine souvenirs from local supermarkets in Samos villages.

• Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10am-5:30pm
• Entrance Fee: €2
• Website: www.samoswine.gr

There is also the Vakakis Winery in Karlovasi that also provides wine tasting.

12. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Vathy

This museum exhibits findings from excavations all around the island but mainly findings from the ancient site of Heraion. The most impressive exhibit is a 5.5m high male statue (Kouros), one of the largest in Greece.

• Opening hours: Mon to Sun 9.00am-4pm (Tue closed)
• Entrance Fee: €4

Tourist Map

I have created a map that shows all the attractions and best things to do on the island with additional practical information.

Further Reading

You can check the following posts:

• Samos Travel Guide
• Town & Villages of Samos
• Samos Beaches

Travel Resources

• Flights: I always use Skyscanner as my first choice as it’s so easy to use and you can search best deals by month. Google Flights is another very good search engine.
• Accommodation: I always use Booking.com as my first choice, as it offers a great choice of accommodation at affordable prices and it’s so easy to use. Airbnb is a great alternative for homes and apartments to rent by real homeowners. HotelsCombined is one of the best search engines to check deals from different websites.
• Ferries: Ferryhopper is one of the best websites to check ferry schedules and buy the cheapest ferry tickets while in Greece.
• Car Rental: I always check Skyscanner for the cheapest car rental options. Discover Cars is also a good and easy-to-use website with great prices.
• Public Transport: There is no booking site to check bus timetables and book buses online in Samos.
• Day Trips & Tours: Viator provides the most comprehensive list of day trips and you can book directly with them. GetYourGuide is also a great place to search for tours & activities to do.
• Travel Insurance: SafetyWing is a great choice for long-term travellers and digital nomads. Alternatively, you can use one of the price comparison websites for cheaper quotes.
• Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, and at no extra cost to you, I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping this site running and ad-free.

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