What to see in Samos?
Samos is a beautiful, large island with many attractions. Besides the beautiful beaches, picturesque villages, and lush nature, the archaeological sites are highly appreciated. The island offers a complete vacation from the sea to the mountains, making it a popular destination. Below are the main things to see.
Samos (Vathi)
The capital is located in a deep bay at the foot of the mountains and is divided into two areas: the lower part around the port and the beautiful upper part (Ano Vathi) with terraces on a red earth hill. The houses are colorful and wooden, some in a neoclassical style. The atmosphere in Samos is primarily one of tranquility.
Archaeological Museum
Located at the town hall, it contains various materials unearthed during archaeological excavations on the island.
Church of Ai Ghiannakis
A church with beautiful frescoes.
Monastery of Zoodokhos Pigi
Reachable on foot from the capital, located after a small plateau, it offers a spectacular view of the coast of Asia Minor and beautiful wooden inlays inside.
Karlovasi
The second city of the island and also the second port where many ferries dock. The place is picturesque, especially the hilly area. There are several industrial activities of ceramics and textiles.
Panaghia Vrondiani
The oldest and most important monastery in Samos with beautiful icons.
Kokkari
A picturesque fishing port very popular with tourists also for its beautiful sandy beach.
Marathokambos
A beautiful picturesque village among olive trees and cypresses.
Vourliotes
A very characteristic mountain village with houses typical of the island's architecture.
Platanakia
A beautiful location amidst lush greenery.
Mitilinii
A village renowned for the presence of a museum containing the fossil skeletons of animals that lived on the island millions of years ago.
Mavratzei
A village known for its ceramics workshops.
Heraion
A large archaeological area where, according to tradition, the goddess Hera was born. You can admire the ruins of her temple (in fact, only one of the original 134 columns remains, with a wobbly appearance), one of the largest of antiquity and considered one of the seven wonders of the world.
Pythagorion and the underground aqueduct
This is the treasure of ancient Samos. In this archaeological area, you can admire the ruins of the walls of Polycrates, an ancient theater, and the first underground aqueduct in history that, very ingeniously, provided mountain spring water to the city after about a kilometer of travel. Inside the aqueduct tunnel, a Byzantine chapel is still visible, wedged between the stalactites. Modern Pythagorion is a festive town with an exclusive look.
Church of the Madonna Spiliani
A very particular church because it is carved into the rock and has water cisterns.
Boat trip to Samiopoula and Fourni
A pleasant trip to the beautiful islets of Samiopoula and Fourni.
Boat trip to Ephesus
A trip to nearby Turkey to visit Ephesus, one of the main archaeological sites of Asia Minor.
