Samos

Wine lovers, beach bums, and history buffs - Samos has got you all sorted. Think proper Greek island vibes with incredible local wine, stunning beaches, and ancient wonders that'll blow your mind.

✨ Why visit Samos?

Home to the famous Samos sweet wine (yes, the one you've heard about!)
Gorgeous pebble and sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters
Ancient wonders including the legendary Heraion temple
Lush, mountainous landscape perfect for hiking
Traditional villages that time forgot

🎉 Good to Know

🤩 Fun fact: Samos is the birthplace of the mathematician Pythagoras (yes, that triangle guy!) and the philosopher Epicurus. Basically, this island has been producing genius minds for centuries.
🏖 Best beach: Tsambou Beach gets our vote - a gorgeous pebble beach with turquoise waters and a beach bar that does epic cocktails. Perfect for Instagram and actual relaxation.
🍻 Price of a pint: Around €3-€4.50 (£2.50-£3.80) - island prices but still proper reasonable, especially when you're sipping it with those views!

🏖 What are the best beaches to visit on your holidays to Samos?

Samos beaches are the real deal - from secluded pebble coves to long sandy stretches, all backed by mountains and pine forests that smell incredible.

Lemonakia Beach - a series of small pebble beaches connected by a coastal path near Kokkari. Perfect for beach-hopping and finding your own private spot.
Tsamadou Beach - nudist-friendly pebble beach (clothing optional!) with stunning clear waters and dramatic cliffs near Kokkari. Very peaceful and natural.
Tsambou Beach - our top pick with amazing pebbles, crystal-clear water, and a beach bar that knows how to make a proper Greek salad. Plus, the sunset views are unreal.
Psili Ammos - one of the few sandy beaches on the island with shallow waters perfect for families. The name literally means "fine sand" - they weren't lying!
Votsalakia Beach - long stretch of golden sand and pebbles near Marathokampos, perfect for families and anyone wanting space to spread out.
Kerveli Beach - secluded bay with crystal-clear waters and stunning sunrise views. A proper hidden gem that's worth the journey.

🏨 What are the top hotels to stay at on your Samos holidays?

From boutique harbor hotels to beachfront family resorts, Samos accommodation has that perfect Greek island charm.

Arion Hotel - perched on a hillside near Kokkari with stunning sea views and a regular shuttle service to gorgeous beaches. Features an outdoor pool, sauna, and restaurant serving excellent food. Perfect for couples wanting somewhere special with epic views.
Kerkis Bay Hotel - family-run charmer right on the harbor of Ormos Marathokampos with its own traditional taverna overlooking the sea. Simple but attractive rooms and the most authentic Greek island experience. Ideal for anyone wanting that proper fishing village vibe.
Kervelli Village Hotel - village-style complex built in harmony with nature, spreading across six buildings among cypress trees and gardens. Features its own beach, cooking classes, and yoga sessions. Perfect for couples and families wanting peace and natural beauty.
Aphrodite Samos Suites - family-friendly suites just steps from Votsalakia Beach with kitchenettes, outdoor pool, and traditional Greek breakfast. Located in peaceful Marathokampos area. Great for families and longer stays.
Virginia Hotel - three-star family-run hotel in Samos Town with rooftop pool, sea views, and walking distance to the harbor. Newly renovated with proper Greek hospitality. Perfect base for exploring the capital and nearby attractions.

🧳 Samos Holidays 2025 / 2026 Travel Guide

💕 Things to do in Samos for couples

Romance comes naturally on Samos - wine tastings, sunset harbors, and ancient sites perfect for wandering hand in hand.

Wine tasting at local vineyards - Samos Muscat is legendary, and the vineyard views are epic.
Sunset dinner in Pythagoreio harbor watching the fishing boats come in.
Explore the ancient Heraion temple - one of the largest temples in ancient Greece.
Romantic evening at Kerveli Bay watching the sunrise over Turkey.
Couples spa treatments at luxury resorts with mountain and sea views.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Things to do in Samos for families

Kids will love the mix of beaches, boat trips, and exploring ancient sites that bring Greek mythology to life.

Beach days at Psili Ammos or Votsalakia with safe swimming and plenty of space for sandcastles.
Visit the Pythagoras Cave - the philosopher's supposed hideout (way cooler than it sounds!).
Take the tourist train around Pythagoreio for a fun way to see the sights.
Explore Samos Town's harbor area where kids can spot sea turtles.
Family boat trips from Ormos Marathokampos to nearby secluded coves.

🎉 Things to do in Samos for groups

Group holidays here are all about beach days, wine tastings, and proper Greek feast nights under the stars.

Villa rental in the hills with private pool and BBQ facilities for epic group dinners.
Wine tour of local vineyards with designated driver (or group taxi).
Beach-hopping between Kokkari, Tsamadou, and Lemonakia beaches.
Group cooking class learning traditional Samian recipes (then eating everything).
Charter boat from Pythagoreio or Ormos Marathokampos for island hopping.

🍽 Things to do in Samos for foodies

The food scene combines fresh seafood, mountain herbs, and that famous local wine into something pretty special.

Try kakavia - traditional fisherman's soup that's basically liquid sunshine in a bowl.
Sample Samos Muscat wine at source - sweet dessert wine that's been famous since ancient times.
Hunt down the best souvlaki at family tavernas in Kokkari and Marathokampos.
Visit local honey producers - Samos honey with thyme and wild herbs is incredible.
Take a food tour of traditional kafenions where recipes haven't changed in decades.

🚍 Getting Around on your holidays to Samos

🚗 Car Rental - Best way to explore the island properly and reach those hidden beaches. Roads are decent (for a Greek island) and parking is usually easy to find. Plus, mountain driving here has some epic scenery.
🚌 Local Buses - Connect the main towns and popular beaches during summer. Cheap and cheerful, plus you'll get proper local conversations (whether you understand Greek or not!).
🚕 Taxis - Available in main towns and reasonably priced for island hopping between beaches. Great for airport transfers or when you've had a few wines at dinner.
🏍 Scooter Rental - Perfect for zipping around the island and feeling the wind in your hair. Just watch out for those mountain roads - they can be a bit twisty!

🗓 When to visit Samos

May to June (Brilliant for flexibility) - Lovely time to visit with temperatures hitting 24-29°C and the island covered in wildflowers. Great for hiking those mountain trails and exploring at a relaxed pace. Hotels and beaches are quieter, which some people love, though not everything's in full swing yet.

July to August (Peak season perfection) - There's a reason this is the most popular time! You get guaranteed sunshine with 31°C heat, fourteen hours of daylight, and virtually zero rain - perfect for beach holidays. Everything's open and buzzing with that proper holiday atmosphere. The beaches will be busiest (especially weekends), and prices reflect the popularity, so booking early gives you the best choice of hotels. Nights cool to a lovely 17°C for comfortable sleeping.

September to early October (Extending the summer) - Still beautifully warm at 22-27°C in September with the sea at its absolute warmest from soaking up all that summer heat. The pace relaxes a bit as schools go back, but you keep that gorgeous weather and everything stays open. September's a top choice for couples and anyone with flexible holiday dates.

April and late October (Budget-friendly) - Around 20-22°C, lovely for wine tasting and sightseeing without the heat. Beach days are more relaxed though the water's cooler. Some hotels and restaurants run shorter hours or haven't opened yet (April) / are winding down (late October). Good option if beaches aren't your main priority.

November to March (Off-season) - Cool at 12-18°C with more frequent rain. Most tourist facilities close for the season, though the island itself is beautiful in a different way. Really only recommended if you're visiting family or here for winter hiking rather than a traditional beach holiday.

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Weather in Samos

JAN

12^°C

FEB

12^°C

MAR

14^°C

APR

19^°C

MAY

23^°C

JUN

26^°C

JUL

30^°C

AUG

30^°C

SEP

24^°C

OCT

20^°C

NOV

15^°C

DEC

13^°C

Samos has an amazing Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

During the summer months of July and August you are unlikely to find any rain and a huge amount of sunshine with up to fourteen hours per day in July. Temperatures range from 29°C in June up to 31°C in July and August however the nights do bring an escape from the heat dropping to approximately 17°C.

Autumn sees the temperature suddenly drop in Samos, with October still being bright and hot at 22°C however November dipping to just 18°C and the likelihood of rain increasing dramatically. This leads to winter, from December until February being cool and wet- definitely not suitable for a sunny beach holiday due to the weathers unpredictability.

The spring, starting in March until May sees the rainfall dropping and the sunshine rising to temperatures of 20-24°C so is a good time to visit Samos if you don't want a scalding holiday!

FAQs

Absolutely! Beaches like Psili Ammos and Votsalakia have shallow, safe swimming and plenty of space. Loads of family-friendly hotels with pools, and kids love exploring the Pythagoras Cave and taking the tourist train. It's way more chilled than party islands like Zante, so perfect for proper family time.

Direct flights from UK or Ireland airports take around 3.5-4.5 hours. You'll fly into Samos International Airport (SMI), which is just 4km from Pythagoreio and about 15km from Samos Town. We can arrange transfers for you as part of your package for proper convenience - just add them when you book. Alternatively, if you prefer to sort your own most taxis will cost around €15-25 depending where you're staying.

The sweet Muscat wine - it's been legendary since ancient times and you can visit the vineyards. Also the birthplace of Pythagoras (triangle guy) and home to the Heraion, one of the largest temples in ancient Greece. Basically, wine, maths, and massive temples.

Yes! Ferries run to nearby islands like Patmos, and you're dead close to Turkey (just 1.6km at the narrowest point). Day trips to Kusadasi in Turkey are popular, and you can reach other Dodecanese islands. Proper good base for exploring the eastern Aegean.

Crystal clear and gorgeous! Most beaches are pebble which keeps the water proper transparent. It's the Aegean so can be a bit cooler than the Ionian, and sometimes gets breezy (especially on the north coast). Warmest from July to September when it hits 24-26°C.

There's so much to do in Samos it is difficult to summarise the most popular activities for you, so rest assured you won't be stuck for things to do on your holiday!

Samos town or Vathy as it is also known is the capital and the main port of Samos. Located on the north-east part of Samos it is a beautiful and charming town and a perfect place to spend the day. Proudly boasting an array of old Venetian and neoclassic buildings alongside a more modern feel of bars, restaurants and night clubs, Samos town has the perfect mix of activities to occupy people of all ages and tastes. Many interesting things can be seen in the capital of Samos such as the church of Agios Spyridon, the Byzantine Museum and the Archaeological Museum.

The Heraion Sanctuary is fascinating and perfect for a romantic visit if you are a loved up couple on holiday or even your honeymoon! The temple used to be the official sanctuary of Samos and an Ionic place of worship. Dedication to goddess Hera, wife of Zeus, the myth says that Heraion was the place where Hera and Zeus spent their honeymoon for 300 years.

The waterfalls of Potami are breathtakingly beautiful and will really be a highlight to your holiday. Take a walk along the Potami river near the village of Karlovassi which leads to the amazing waterfalls which are a fantastic place to sunbath and have a picnic.

The Tunnel of Eupalinus is considered to be one of the eight wonders of the ancient world and is one of the most popular tourist spots in Samos. A water tunnel that used to be the middle section of a huge aqueduct, located on the mountain slopes of Panagia Spilani and built in the 6th Century BC will fascinate you for hours.

Samos is mountainous with the highest peak in the western part being Kerkis Mountain (1434 m) and in the centre of the island lies the Ambelos peak (1150 m).

The small villages of Vourliotes, Platanos, Manolates, Pnaka, Tsourlei are scattered in the mountains and are mostly situated around one of the many springs. You can walk to each of the villages using the walkways which offer beautiful views across Samos.

A large proportion of Samos is covered with fruit, olive trees and vineyards which is where the famous Samian wine is made. There are lots of forests and beautiful wild flowers which offers a gorgeous landscape in Samos.

Samos Holidays

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