Samos
temperatur
21°
tid
13:03
Samos
The mythical birthplace of the goddess Hera, Samos is the greenest of the Aegean islands and surely deserves its divine reputation. Nature lovers and sun-seekers alike are attracted to its pebbled beaches, green landscapes, and impressive rocky cliffs. The island is also renowned for its vineyards and is home to the impressive ruins of the Temple of Hera, as well as the remarkable Tunnel of Eupalinos, a feat of ancient engineering that once supplied clean drinking water to the people of Pythagoreio.Hitta resa
Perhaps the greatest testament to the scientific genius of Samos' golden age is the 1,036-metre-long Tunnel of Eupalinos — an aqueduct and service tunnel built in 524 BC. This incredible feat of ancient engineering claimed the lives of many workers, but brought vital drinking water to the inhabitants of Pythagoreio, then a metropolis of 80,000.
Although today only some ruins remain, this 6th-century temple dedicated to the goddess Hera (the wife as well as the sister of Zeus) was once four times the size of the Parthenon in Athens. The road leading to the site from Pythagoreio was once lined with impressive statues that led the way to the temple.
The Castle of Lykourgos Logothetis — named after a renowned leader from the War of Independence — dates back to 1824 and spans an impressive 400 meters. It stands as a remarkable example of defensive architecture, and it was constructed using remnants of various archaeological monuments. During the Revolution against the Turks, the castle served as a headquarters. Visitors can freely explore the castle's remnants and marvel at the stunning vistas of Pythagorei Bay.
This impressive museum showcases ancient archaeological artefacts dating back as far as the 6th century BC. The highlights include ceramics, bronze sculptures and statues, including an enormous 5-and-a-half metre statue taken from the Heraion near Pythagoreio (the largest of its kind).
A short distance from the city of Pythagoreion, atop a cliff with wonderful views of the surrounding area and coast, lies the Panagia Spiliani Monastery. As if the views and the quaint monastery weren't enough to lure you up, visitors can descend into a small cave, at the bottom of which there is a tiny underground chapel.
Venture through forest paths to the northwest of the island, where you'll discover the beautiful Potami Waterfalls, a popular and picturesque swimming hole hidden among large slick rocks. Nearby there are a few places where you can find refreshments, making the area a great place for a day trip.
Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras is perhaps the most famous son of Samos, and it is possible to visit his caves on Mount Kerkis. The larger of the two caves was used as a classroom for his students, while the nearby smaller cave was used as his living quarters.
Housed in a magnificent 19th-century stone building, which was initially a private winery before being converted into a barrel-making warehouse, the Samos Wine Museum showcases an array of historical artefacts that embody the rich history of Samos wine, including collectable bottles, traditional barrel-making tools, and old winemaking equipment. The museum's design guides visitors through the traditional methods of vineyard cultivation in Samos and offers a comprehensive overview of the social, cultural, and historical significance of Samian wine.
Perhaps the greatest testament to the scientific genius of Samos' golden age is the 1,036-metre-long Tunnel of Eupalinos — an aqueduct and service tunnel built in 524 BC. This incredible feat of ancient engineering claimed the lives of many workers, but brought vital drinking water to the inhabitants of Pythagoreio, then a metropolis of 80,000.
Although today only some ruins remain, this 6th-century temple dedicated to the goddess Hera (the wife as well as the sister of Zeus) was once four times the size of the Parthenon in Athens. The road leading to the site from Pythagoreio was once lined with impressive statues that led the way to the temple.
Hidden in the corner of the beautiful bay of Balos, up a narrow and winding path from Balos Beach, Stella is a restaurant that specializes in exquisitely prepared and beautifully presented Cypriot delicacies. The surrounding area is lush and refreshing, and the restaurant's stunning garden setting adds to the overall dining experience.
Located in Pythagoreion, this no-frills restaurant specializes in fabulous Greek cuisine at very reasonable prices. The hospitable and friendly staff generously offer complimentary desserts and ouzo, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Seafood is the restaurant's speciality, but the Chicken Souvlaki is a must-try dish that comes highly recommended.
Nick the Greek is hailed by some as the best restaurant on the island, and it's not hard to see why. With its ideal location, warm and welcoming service, scrumptious food, and charming personality, this restaurant has it all. Nick himself ensures that every dish is made with the freshest seafood available, creating something truly special. On Saturdays, diners can enjoy live traditional music to complete their dining experience.
If you're looking for a laid-back spot to relax and enjoy delicious food and drinks by the beach in the southwest region of the island, Chesters is the place to be. With breathtaking views of the sea, the restaurant is the perfect spot to indulge in a hearty breakfast or gorge yourself on one of Chester's huge burgers.
Basilico is an Italian restaurant and pizzeria that has one of the dreamiest settings in Kokkari, overlooking the tranquil bay. The restaurant serves a variety of Italian specialties, ranging from mouthwatering pasta dishes and delectable pizzas to heavenly gnocchi and tiramisu desserts.
The Poseidon hotel and restaurant is conveniently situated only 2 minutes away from Kokkari bay and a short 15-minute drive from Vathy. Inspired by the legendary Greek god of the sea, Poseidon serves heavenly traditional Greek cuisine and freshly caught seafood, as one would expect from its name.
Meltemi is an outstanding restaurant situated right on Kokkari beach, boasting a prime location. As a traditional Greek family restaurant, Meltemi serves up some of the freshest seafood available on the island, in addition to a fantastic selection of Greek specialities and local wines.
If you're willing to venture a bit further afield than most, a visit to the small town of Ireion is definitely worth it, especially for this restaurant. Nestled in beautiful surroundings, To Kyma is renowned for its innovative dishes that are skillfully prepared using only the freshest and most authentic ingredients. Their varied menu offers a delectable selection of traditional Greek cuisine, as well as contemporary interpretations of classic dishes.
Hidden in the corner of the beautiful bay of Balos, up a narrow and winding path from Balos Beach, Stella is a restaurant that specializes in exquisitely prepared and beautifully presented Cypriot delicacies. The surrounding area is lush and refreshing, and the restaurant's stunning garden setting adds to the overall dining experience.
Located in Pythagoreion, this no-frills restaurant specializes in fabulous Greek cuisine at very reasonable prices. The hospitable and friendly staff generously offer complimentary desserts and ouzo, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Seafood is the restaurant's speciality, but the Chicken Souvlaki is a must-try dish that comes highly recommended.
Kallisti Gallery showcases the best of contemporary art and home decor from Greek designers and artists, including hand-made gold and silver jewels and art objects, intricate sculptures and glasswork, and very artful trinkets and knick-knacks to complement any room.
Join Greek Art could technically be called a souvenir shop, as it sells Greek-themed T-shirts and knick-knacks, as well as jewellery and other accessories, but far from being tacky, everything on offer is classy, elegant and stylish, offering truly Samian gifts.
Rumiana's Art is another top art and craft shop on the island, specialising in handmade ceramics and jewellery. Other items include carpets, textiles, and selected clothes and accessories.
The one-of-a-kind handmade jewellery found at Chrysotheque is simplistic in form, but extravagant in colour. The precious stones have been gathered over many years from all around the world, including diamonds, black diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
Pink Woman is a very popular clothing retail chain that can be found at numerous locations across the country. The items found here are youthful and modern, making them especially frequented by young women.
Kallisti Gallery showcases the best of contemporary art and home decor from Greek designers and artists, including hand-made gold and silver jewels and art objects, intricate sculptures and glasswork, and very artful trinkets and knick-knacks to complement any room.
Join Greek Art could technically be called a souvenir shop, as it sells Greek-themed T-shirts and knick-knacks, as well as jewellery and other accessories, but far from being tacky, everything on offer is classy, elegant and stylish, offering truly Samian gifts.
Greece can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Samos experiences its peak season from late spring to early fall, spanning from April to October. During the winter months, the island enjoys mild weather conditions, although there may be occasional wind and rain.
Samos International Airport (SMI), also known as Aristarchos Airport, lies about 5 kilometres away from the nearby town of Pythagorio. KTEL buses serve the airport about 4 times daily, and taxis are available to get to the major destinations on the island, primarily Pythagoreion and Vathy.
The cities of Samos are easy to explore by foot. Transportation between the main urban areas (Vathy, Pythagoreion, Kokkari, Karlovasi, etc.) is best done by bus, as the island boasts a good and effective bus network. Most destinations can be reached very inexpensively within about an hour. Ferries are also available to several hard-to-reach beaches, as well as to other Aegean islands and to Kusadasi, in Turkey.
Taxis on Samos can be caught at taxi ranks in Vathy (by the National Bank of Greece) and in Pythagoreion (on Lykourgou Logotheti, by the waterfront). Samos Taxi: +30 697 795 2597 Samos Taxi Giorgos Giotis: +30 697 591 7000 Samos Taxi Service — Marinakis Antonis: +30 698 173 3414
The Greek post system is called ELTA (Ελτα). Post Boxes in Greece are yellow for normal posts and red for urgent mail.
Nitsolas Andreas: Plateía Agíou Nikoláo, Vathy, Samos Open Mon & Wed 8am–2pm; Tue, Thu & Fri 8am–2pm / 5pm–8pm +30 2273 028002 Samos Pharmacy Constantakis Giorgos: Sofouli 105, Samos Open Mon & Wed 8am–2:30pm; Tue, Thu & Fri 8am–2pm / 6pm–9pm +30 2273 023686
Country code: +30 Area code: 2273
Greece can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Samos experiences its peak season from late spring to early fall, spanning from April to October. During the winter months, the island enjoys mild weather conditions, although there may be occasional wind and rain.
