Find cheap hotels in Samos in Greece
The easternmost island of the Aegean, Samos was one of the first Greek islands to take advantage of the package tour boom that began in earnest in the 1980s.
Today it has become 184 square miles (477 sq km) of holiday resort, its beaches dotted with sunbeds and encircled by hotel rooms, and its waterfronts lined with tavernas, bars and cafes. Tourism may be booming, but that does not mean that this lovely island has lost its traditional charm, its laidback feel, or its scenic beauty. The very fact that it remains such a popular destination testifies to the fact that it has a great deal to offer the holidaymakers who come to enjoy themselves each year, many returning again and again.
In ancient times, when the great mathematician Pythagoras was born here in the 6th century BC, Samos flourished, as evidenced by the now few remains of its magnificent architecture, which included a temple and marble paved road lined with 2,000 statues (now largely covered by the airport runway).
The course of its more modern history has seen the island in a tug of war between Greece and Turkey, but since 1913 Samos has been indisputably Greek.
Samos town curls around a semi-circular bay with its pretty pastel-coloured buildings rising in tiers up a green hillside from its busy, and somewhat tacky touristy waterfront. Numerous other coastal towns and villages encircle the island, all offering holiday accommodation. Inland there are some delightful mountain villages with picturesque alleyways and friendly locals, which, out of season anyway, seem delightfully unspoilt by mass tourism.
Samos has always been known as being blessed with natural beauty, and this has not changed. The dramatic, indented coastline is dotted with sand and shingle coves, while inland the slopes of the mountains and hills are covered in vines and verdant forest.
All in all, for a classic Aegean summer holiday with hot weather, lively tavernas, sights to see, shops to browse and a selection of good beaches, Samos comes up trumps.
Samos Climate
Sunshine is the order of every day in Samos during the summer months, but temperatures remain comfortable with the help of the 'meltemia', northern winds that cool the sun-drenched island. Rainfall is heavy, but most of the rain falls in winter. From mid-April until mid-October the weather is almost completely dry.
Summer is indisputably the peak tourist season and this is when the beaches, restaurants and clubs are packed full. For those who may want to explore the island without the crowds, late spring and early autumn are also gorgeous times to visit Samos.
In May the island is at its most lush after the rainy season and water temperatures are warming up; in September the seas are still as warm as in summer and the weather is pleasantly balmy, though not as hot as in summer. Accommodation is also a bit cheaper in the off-season.
Samos Sightseeing
The island of Samos has a diverse range of attractions to offer visitors and is known for its gorgeous beaches and natural scenery. Some of the best beaches include white-pebbled Mykali, secluded Megalo Seitani, and the nudist beach of Tsamadou; however, the nearest beach to the town of Samos is Gagkou. Potami Beach has some really wonderful waterfalls to be discovered on a ramble through the forest on the beach and this little excursion is a must for families. The best beach on Samos for children is Psili Ammos Beach as kids love to play in its warm, shallow waters.
If you manage to pull yourself away from all this, a visit to the ancient Temple of Hera is a sightseeing must.
Explore Pythagoras Cave to get historical and philosophical perspective on the island, as well as stunning views, and visit the Ancient Theatre of Pythagorio for more cultural insights and perhaps to catch a show.
The castle of Lykourgos Logothetis, a magnificent example of defensive architecture, is also an interesting attraction. It is situated to the southwest of the port of Pythagorio, and played a vital role in the Greek Revolution against Turkish rule.