Samos: Ancient History, Nature and Coastline

On Samos, ancient buildings and museums meet gorges, hiking trails and a varied coastline. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding first what you want to focus on: would you like to explore archaeological sites and collections, spend time on marked trails, or make time for water sports? The island offers different ways to do all of this – from Pythagoreion to its mountain landscapes and beaches.

Ancient History in Buildings and Museums

In Pythagoreion, the remains of an ancient fortified harbour survive alongside Greek and Roman monuments. One of the most notable landmarks is the Tunnel of Eupalinos: dating from the 6th century BC, it runs 1,036 metres through a mountainside and was used to supply the ancient city with water. It was built by Eupalinos of Megara, son of Naustrophus. Its length and function offer a particularly tangible insight into ancient engineering.

The museums also offer a range of different perspectives. The Archaeological Museum of Samos is spread across two locations: a two-storey neoclassical building dating from 1912 displays finds from the Heraion of Samos; a new building from 1984 houses a sculpture collection featuring important works from the Archaic period. The Archaeological Museum of Pythagoreion is housed in a newly built building in the centre of modern Pythagoreion, on the site of the ancient city of Samos. More than 3,000 objects illustrate the cultural development of the ancient city and its rural surroundings, from the 4th millennium BC to the 7th century AD.

Another testament to ancient architectural planning is the Great Temple of the goddess Hera. Construction began during the reign of Polycrates, around 535–522 BC. The plan called for a temple measuring 55.16 m × 108.63 m, with a peristyle of 155 columns, each approximately 20 m high. The surviving dimensions give a sense of the scale of the planned structure.

Gorges, Trails and Plant Life

Those who enjoy walking or other outdoor activities on Samos will find a variety of landscapes to explore. Marked trails on Mount Kerkis pass through gorges, chestnut groves and olive orchards. From there, views stretch from the Ionian coast to the Cyclades. On Mount Ambelos, the trail between Vourliotes and Manolates passes through a different mountain landscape; it is suitable for hiking, mountain biking and off-road excursions.

Mount Ambelos is also part of a Natura 2000 network site. More than 1,400 plant species grow there, including many endemic species; rare birds of prey include golden eagles and short-toed snake eagles. In the Potami area near Karlovasi, small natural waterfalls lie in a lush gorge in the Kerkis range, which opens towards the beach. These destinations cater to different interests, with mountain trails and plant life as well as a waterfall-filled gorge to explore.

Coast and Water Sports

The coasts of Samos are ideal for scuba diving and other water sports. The island’s often windy northern side is popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers. Kokkari Beach is a well-organised pebble beach with deep, clear water and large waves, and is also considered a popular spot for water sports. When choosing your holiday apartment, it may therefore help to think first about whether mountain landscapes, archaeology or coastal activities will shape your stay. The coastal and marine environment is also home to many endemic fish, mussels and molluscs, dolphins, seals and seabirds.

For a different coastal experience, visit the secluded beach of Megalo Seitani. It lies in a Natura 2000 protected area, where the Kerkis gorge opens out towards the sea, and can be reached by boat or on foot. The island of Samiopoula, with Psalida Beach, lies 850 metres off the southern coast of Samos; small boats travel there from Pythagoreion and Heraion.

Wine and Where to Stay

For a cultural insight into Samos wine, the Samos Wine Museum offers a unique perspective: it presents the history of wine and offers tastings of Samos wines. Exhibits include old and traditional tools for winemaking and barrel production, collectible bottles and other objects. This complements the archaeological museums with a subject focused on viticulture and its history.

When choosing your holiday apartment, you can plan your trip around the experiences that interest you most: ancient monuments and collections, trails through mountain landscapes, nature watching or coastal activities. On this page, you can find more pages about Kokkari, Marathokampos, Karlovasi, Avlakia, Pythagoreio, Agios Konstantinos, Samos, Ireo, Psili Ammos, Koumeika, Limnionas, Kamara, Pandroso, Mesokampos, Pefkos, Potokaki and Valeontades.

For the wider travel overview: Northern Aegean.