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Samos is a green, mountainous island in the eastern Aegean, separated from the Turkish coast near Kuşadası by a narrow strait. Its headline sights are on the south-east coast: the harbour town of Pythagorio, the 6th-century BC Tunnel of Eupalinos and the sanctuary of Hera, listed together by UNESCO since 1992. Add the capital Vathy, the north-coast village of Kokkari and the hill villages of Mount Ambelos, and you have enough for three to five days. Ephesus is a realistic day trip if you pick the right boat.
Short answer
- Base: Vathy (Samos Town) or Pythagorio for a short stay without a car; Kokkari for a beach holiday; the coast near Pythagorio for families. See where to stay in Samos.
- Top sights: Pythagorio, the Tunnel of Eupalinos and the Heraion, all within about 6 km of each other.
- Check the day and season: as of 22 October 2026, the ministry’s ticketing site hh.gr lists the tunnel and the Heraion as closed on Tuesdays, and the tunnel as closed from 1 November to 31 March (visits by appointment only, +30 22730 62813).
- Getting around: KTEL buses link Vathy, Pythagorio, Kokkari and Karlovasi; hire a car for the mountain villages and the west.
- Day trip to Turkey: Ephesus is possible in a day on a morning boat from Pythagorio or, in high summer, from Vathy. See our Samos to Ephesus day trip guide.
- Clock change: Greece goes back to winter time on 25 October 2026. From then on, Turkey is one hour ahead of Samos.
Where to stay
For a night or two, stay in the town where your ferry docks. Vathy is open all year and has the main bus stop; Pythagorio is closer to the ancient sites, the airport and the south-coast beaches but pricier in summer. Kokkari is the pick for three nights or more by the sea, and the coast towards Potokaki has the large family resorts. Karlovasi only makes sense with a car. See where to stay in Samos for all areas and hotels.
Samos Bay Hotel by Gagou Beach
Vathy (Samos Town)3★
- Ferry port: about 500 m from Vathy port
- Best for: budget, beach, short stays
By Gagou beach, about 500 m from Vathy port.
Polyxeni Hotel
Pythagorio2★
- Best for: budget, couples, short stays
A simple seafront base in Pythagorio.
Kokkari Beach Hotel
Kokkari3★
- Best for: families, beach
A beach base in Kokkari, with a bus stop nearby for Vathy.
Getting there
By air
Samos airport (SMI) is run by Fraport Greece and lies near Pythagorio on the south-east coast. Jet2 started flying to Samos in summer 2026 from Manchester (1 May to 30 October), Birmingham (4 May to 26 October) and London Stansted (7 May to 29 October). TUI Airways is also on the airport’s airline list, but we did not find its UK departure airports. We found no UK winter flights; out of season, connect through Athens, where Olympic Air and Sky Express appear on the airport’s airline list. More detail is in our flights guide.
According to the airport, the public bus runs to Samos Town via Pythagorio from a stop in front of the terminal, with tickets sold by the driver. The timetable linked on the airport site is dated 2023, so check locally.
By ferry from Turkey
Ferries from Kuşadası land at either Vathy (north-east) or Pythagorio (south-east), depending on the operator and the date. This is a passenger route; booking sites do not sell car fares.
| Operator | Samos port | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Meander Travel | Vathy and Pythagorio | “Flex Port” ticket lets you arrive at one port and leave from the other |
| Tilos Travel (Sea Star Samos) | Vathy | About 75 minutes, per the 2026 timetable |
| IDO | Vathy and Pythagorio | Seasonal |
| Aegean Shipping Company | Pythagorio | A few sailings a week |
As of October 2026, Tilos Travel’s timetable has the Sea Star Samos leaving Kuşadası at 08:15 and Samos at 17:30 daily from 28 September to 1 November. Meander lists its Pythagorio service until 18 October and its Vathy service until 1 November. One-way adult fares started at around €37 to €39 for summer 2026. Timetables, fares and port procedure are on our Kuşadası to Samos ferry page.
Getting around
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| KTEL bus | Vathy, Pythagorio, Kokkari, Karlovasi, the Heraion | Buy tickets at the stop kiosk; times change by season |
| Hire car | Manolates, Vourliotes, Karlovasi, Potami | Rental offices in Vathy and Pythagorio |
| Taxi | Port to hotel, short hops | Ask the fare before you set off |
KTEL buses: according to the local guide SamosIn, buses are the only public transport on Samos and all routes are run by KTEL Samos. We could not find an official KTEL Samos website; SamosIn points to the company’s Facebook page for timetables. In Vathy the stop is next to the port, and in Pythagorio buses leave from the port exit for Vathy, Kokkari and Karlovasi. Visit Greece confirms buses from Vathy to the Heraion.
Taxis: they wait at the port exit in Vathy, and there is a rank outside the customs building in Pythagorio. We could not verify current fares.
Car hire: worth it if you want the mountain villages or the west coast; offices are in both port towns. The Kuşadası boats do not carry cars, so you rent on the island.
Car hire: Samos
DiscoverCars compares offers from several rental companies in one search. Check the pick-up point, deposit and insurance terms before you book.
Things to see
Pythagorio
Pythagorio is the island’s best-known harbour town, around a small bay about 11 km from Vathy. UNESCO describes the ancient city here as a fortified port that became a major maritime power by the 6th century BC. The harbour area is largely pedestrianised and gets very busy in July and August.
Tunnel of Eupalinos
Dug through the hillside in the 6th century BC to carry water to the ancient city, the tunnel is about 1,036 m long, according to UNESCO. The southern entrance is about 2 km north of Pythagorio, and Visit Greece gives 15.5 km by road from Samos port. As of October 2026, only the short Route 1 is open; Route 2 is temporarily closed for safety because of slippery ground, and Route 3 is closed on conservation advice.
Heraion
The sanctuary of Hera lies about 6 km from Pythagorio. UNESCO says its origins go back to the 8th century BC and that its successive temples influenced temple design across the Greek world; the great temple begun under Polycrates was ringed by 155 columns. Today a single standing column marks the site.
Opening hours and tickets
As of 22 October 2026, Hellenic Heritage (hh.gr), the Ministry of Culture’s ticketing site, lists the following. All three close on Tuesdays and on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday and 25–26 December; last entry is 20 minutes before closing.
| Site | Hours | Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Tunnel of Eupalinos, Route 1 (185 m) | 1 April–31 October 08:30–15:30, closed Tuesday. Closed 1 November–31 March; visits by appointment only, on +30 22730 62813 | €10, reduced €5 |
| Heraion | All year 08:30–15:30, closed Tuesday | €10, reduced €5 |
| Archaeological Museum, Vathy | All year 08:30–15:30, closed Tuesday | €10, reduced €5 |
Visit Greece still lists the Heraion at €6 (reduced €3); we use the ministry’s ticketing site. From November to March, state sites are free on the first and third Sunday of each month.
Vathy and the Archaeological Museum
Vathy sits at the head of a deep bay on the north-east coast, a working capital rather than a resort. Its Archaeological Museum uses an older building from 1912 and a newer one for the Archaic sculpture, including a colossal kouros found at the Heraion; sources give its height as between about 4.8 and 5.5 m. The Greek Ministry of Culture announced in August 2025 that the museum would be upgraded. As of 22 October 2026, hh.gr lists it as open all year 08:30–15:30, closed on Tuesdays, with tickets at €10 (reduced €5).
Kokkari
A former fishing village on the north coast, about 10 to 12 km west of Vathy, with a waterfront of tavernas and a coarse pebble beach. The north coast is often windy, which makes Kokkari popular with windsurfers.
Manolates, Vourliotes and Vronta Monastery
Both villages sit on the north slope of Mount Ambelos (Karvounis) above Kokkari. Manolates, at about 360 m, has stone houses and narrow lanes, and the road up passes the plane-tree valley known as Aidonia. A stone path links it with Stavrinides. Vourliotes, at about 330 m, is surrounded by vineyards; Vronta Monastery, about 2 km away, was built in 1566. The two fit into one half-day by car.
Karlovasi and Potami
Karlovasi, in the north-west and about 32 to 35 km from Vathy, is the second town and home to a University of the Aegean campus. Its old tannery quarter, Tambakika, recalls the leather industry that made the town rich between 1880 and 1930. Potami beach lies about 2 km to the west, and the waterfalls are roughly 1 km inland from the beach.
Beaches
- Lemonakia: a sandy cove just west of Kokkari, about 13 km north-west of Vathy, with loungers and a snack bar, according to Greeka.
- Tsamadou: a fine-pebble cove about 3 km from Kokkari, reached by a path down from the road. Greeka says the right-hand side is the island’s only official nudist beach.
- Potami: about 730 m of pebbles near Karlovasi; clear but cool water, a steep entry and frequent waves.
- Psili Ammos: a long sandy beach about 11 km south of Vathy, sheltered by cliffs, with sunbeds and tavernas.
- Potokaki: the beach strip west of Pythagorio, lined with resort hotels and close to the airport.
- Gagou: the nearest beach to Vathy, at the port end of the bay.
Day trips
Ephesus and Kuşadası (Turkey)
Most Kuşadası ferries leave Samos only in the evening, so check the direction before you plan. The confirmed option for a day in Turkey was Tilos Travel’s 09:30 from Vathy, which ran daily from 15 May to 27 September 2026 with a return from Kuşadası at 17:00. Ferryscanner lists an 08:00 departure from Pythagorio on some days, but we found no operator timetable, and the Pythagorio boat tickets once sold on GetYourGuide were no longer available on 22 October 2026. Ephesus is about 17 km from Kuşadası port. Full timings are in our Samos to Ephesus day trip guide, and the site itself is covered in Ephesus from Kuşadası.
Turkey is outside Schengen. British citizens need no visa for short stays, and GOV.UK says your passport must be valid for at least 150 days after arrival; German citizens can enter with a passport or ID card, according to Germany’s Foreign Office. On the way back, non-EU travellers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System. Our Turkey day trips hub has the rules for other nationalities.
Organised tours
Pythagorio, the tunnel and the Heraion are easy on your own by bus, taxi or on foot from Pythagorio, so there is no need for a tour there. Tours help with Ephesus and with seeing the west and the villages without a car. As of 22 October 2026, GetYourGuide no longer lists a Samos package that includes the boat to Kuşadası; if you take the ferry yourself, a short guided tour can pick you up at Kuşadası port.
For Cruisers: Small Group Ephesus Tour with Skip-the-Line
A short guided Ephesus tour with pickup at Kuşadası port; ask the provider whether a start time can match your ferry.
Check price & availabilitySamos: Full-Day Island Bus Tour ( starting from east Samos )
Guided bus tour with wine tasting and a pottery workshop, with pickup between Kokkari and Pythagorio; the listing is unclear on whether lunch is included.
Check price & availabilitySamos East Coast by Boat with Beachside BBQ
A traditional caique from Pythagorio harbour along the east coast, with a barbecue lunch on the beach.
Check price & availabilityWhen to go
- Late May, June and September: warm sea, fewer crowds and lower prices than high summer. The Vathy morning boat to Kuşadası ran until 27 September in 2026.
- July and August: Pythagorio and Kokkari are at their busiest; visit the ancient sites early in the day.
- October: the sea is still warm early in the month, but sailings thin out. As of October 2026, Meander’s Pythagorio service ends on 18 October and the Tilos and Meander Vathy services on 1 November. Jet2’s UK flights end between 26 and 30 October.
- Winter: Meander Travel’s daily Vathy boat runs up to and including 1 November 2026, then once a week from 7 November to 27 December (Saturday from Kuşadası at 09:15, Sunday from Vathy at 17:00); nothing had been published for January–March 2027 when we checked on 28 October 2026. Vathy is the most practical base out of season because it is a year-round town.
See the ferry season calendar for other routes.
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FAQ
How many days do you need on Samos?
One full day covers Pythagorio, the tunnel and the Heraion. Plan three to five days to add Vathy, Kokkari, the mountain villages and Potami, or a day in Ephesus.
Vathy or Pythagorio: which is the better base?
For a short stay, the one your ferry uses. Vathy is the capital, open all year, with the main bus stop. Pythagorio is closer to the sights, the airport and the south-coast beaches.
Do you need a car on Samos?
Not for Vathy, Pythagorio, Kokkari and the Heraion, which buses and taxis cover. A car makes Manolates, Vourliotes, Karlovasi and Potami much easier.
Are the ancient sites closed on Tuesdays?
Yes. As of 22 October 2026, hh.gr lists the Tunnel of Eupalinos, the Heraion and the Vathy museum as closed on Tuesdays. The tunnel is also closed from 1 November to 31 March, when visits are by appointment only (+30 22730 62813).
Can you visit Ephesus from Samos in a day?
Yes, on days with a morning boat from Samos, such as the Vathy boat in high summer, returning from Kuşadası at 17:00. You get roughly three hours at the site if you go independently.
Timetables, prices and entry rules change; check the official source before you travel.
Sources
- UNESCO: Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos (accessed Oct 2026)
- Visit Greece: The Tunnel of Eupalinos (accessed Oct 2026)
- Visit Greece: The Heraion of Samos (accessed Oct 2026)
- Hellenic Heritage: Tunnel of Eupalinos (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Hellenic Heritage: Heraion of Samos (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Hellenic Heritage: Archaeological Museum of Vathy, Samos (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Greeka: Samos Archaeological Museum (accessed Oct 2026)
- Hellenic Highlights: The Kouros of Samos (accessed Oct 2026)
- iefimerida: Archaeological Museum of Samos to be upgraded (26 Aug 2025) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Greeka: Kokkari (accessed Oct 2026)
- Greeka: Lemonakia beach (accessed Oct 2026)
- Greeka: Tsamadou beach (accessed Oct 2026)
- Greeka: Potami beach (accessed Oct 2026)
- Greeka: Psili Ammos beach (accessed Oct 2026)
- SamosIn: Manolates (accessed Oct 2026)
- SamosIn: Vourliotes (accessed Oct 2026)
- SamosIn: Karlovasi (accessed Oct 2026)
- SamosIn: Potami beach and waterfalls (accessed Oct 2026)
- SamosIn: Samos bus timetables (KTEL) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Fraport Greece: Samos Airport (accessed Oct 2026)
- Samos Airport: public bus (accessed Oct 2026)
- Jet2: First flight to Samos takes off from Manchester (1 May 2026) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Tilos Travel: 2025–2026 Aegean islands sailing plan (Kuşadası–Samos) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Meander Travel: Ferry to Samos timetable (accessed Oct 2026)
- Samosaferibot.com (Meander Travel) (accessed Oct 2026)
- Feribotseferleri.com.tr: Kuşadası Samos ferry guide 2026 (accessed Oct 2026)
- Feribot Seferleri: Samos (Vathi) port (accessed Oct 2026)
- Feribot Seferleri: Samos (Pythagorion) port (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ferryscanner: Samos to Kuşadası (accessed Oct 2026)
- Greek City Times: clocks go back on 25 October 2026 (accessed Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK: Turkey entry requirements (accessed Oct 2026)
- Auswärtiges Amt: Türkei, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (accessed Oct 2026)
- GetYourGuide: Rhenia Tours’ Full Day Ephesus and Kusadasi Tour (t150071) and Same-Day Return Boat Ticket to Kusadasi (t463088), no longer available; both links redirected to Samos listing pages (checked 22 Oct 2026)
- GetYourGuide: For Cruisers: Small Group Ephesus Tour with Skip-the-Line (Kuşadası port) (checked 22 Oct 2026)
- GetYourGuide: Samos Full-Day Island Bus Tour (accessed Oct 2026)
- GetYourGuide: Samos East Coast by Boat with Beachside BBQ (accessed Oct 2026)
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