Holidays to Samos

The north and west attract many walkers in early and late season. Springtime and early summer see carpets of wild flowers. Pine-forests clad the lower mountain slopes – the highest peak being Kerkis in the west at 1437m – and tracks link village to village. Gentler walking can be found through the olive groves and vineyards lower down.

Wherever you go you will find good beaches. They range from peaceful little pebble bays, with few people and one taverna, to longer stretches of sand or shingle with water sports and sunbeds for hire. Those on the north-east coast, picturesquely backed by cliff and pine, are popular and feature on all the postcards; those in the south are more sheltered and sandy towards the west. In common with all Aegean islands, Samos can be windy in the high summer months.

Samos has a good bus service, especially along the north coast from/to Samos Town (aka Vathy), and the roads are also generally in good condition, making it an easy island to explore. Sea excursions include guided day trips to famous Ephesus in Turkey, the historic island of Patmos and a boat trip BBQ, all operating out of Pythagorion.

Samos has a fair amount of history of its own, as evidenced by remains in the environs of Pythagorion (which is itself named after the island’s most famous son, Pythagoras). The most impressive of these are the ancient Temple of Hera and Eupalinos Tunnel, both dating from the 6th century BC. The former was a very important sanctuary indeed – vast but never actually completed; the latter an aqueduct over 1000m long bored through the mountain rock – an amazing feat of engineering.

Finally Samos is known for its excellent wines. A visit to one of the wineries/vineyards is a must for any wine lovers.