SAMOS HOLIDAYS   >   AEGEAN ISLANDS  


Samos is an island of the eastern Aegean Sea. It is only 1500 meters far from the coasts of Minor Asia, where Greek culture of ancient Ionia bloomed.
Island Samos combines extraordinary nature with culture which hasn't had any significant changes through centuries , along with a really long history and old traditions of the island and its sights.

The evergreen island with its large dream-like sandy beaches, its crystal clear deep blue waters, its traditional settlements, its graphic narrow streets and its exquisite passages will offer you an unforgettable vacation.

The mainland consists of many significant plains, Mesokambos, the plain of Blamaris near to Bathi and the plain of Karlovasio at the Northeastern side of the island. The most important capes are the ones of Praso, Kotsikas, Schinos, Gourlotes, Pefkos, Arapis, Asprokambos and Fonias.

Surrounding islands Samos : the small islands of Daskalio, Prasonisi, Diapori, Makronisi, Strogilo, and Petrokaravo.


car hire, holiday rentals, hotels, tour operators, travel guides, travel to samos

links


Car Rental 

  Sixt   -    

Holiday Homes / Apartments

  Holiday-rentals.uk 
Rentals in Samos: self-catering rentals, holiday cottages, villas & apartments.

  Samosun Bungalows 

Hotels in Samos

  Booking  -  Hotels in Samos   -   Hotel Guide Samos
Brochures of the hotels, room rates, hotel packages, special offers and last minutes, including real-time booking facilities.

   -   Hotels in Greece
Ebookers is a leading pan-European online travel agency specialising in worldwide travel.

Travel Agents / Tour Operators

   -   Create your perfect trip
Flight, Hotel and Car.

  lastminute.com

Thomas Cook



  Inntravel Holidays   -   walking holidays in Samos

Travel Guides Samos / Related books

 

Travel Guides Samos  [ amazon.co.uk ]

Transport / How do I get to Samos

There are regular flights from Athens to Samos (1 hour). The island's airport is 17 km south-west of the capital.

  Samos Airport

  Athens International Airport and Samos Airport

  Airline Tickets /  Bargain Flights  
Price comparison possible

  Ferries in Greece

There is regular ferry service for Karlovassi and Vathi of Samos [ 174 nautical miles and the trip takes 12 hours ], frequent service from Rafina to Samos [ 153 nautical miles ], service from Thessaloniki to Karlovassi and Samos, regular service links Kavala and the Dodecanese to Samos during the summer months.


Links

  Samos Touristic Webserver 

  Prefecture of Samos [ government Samos ]

  Vathi   -   Municipality of Vathi
Capital City and one of the three main ports on the island
Almost linked to Samos town, although the division between the two towns is difficult to see. Narrow streets, winding uphill between old houses.

  Karlovassi   -   second largest town on the island
An unusually planned town, it is divided into five sections: Old, New and Middle Karlovassi, the Bay and the Harbour. Karlovassi was the birthplace of Lycourgos Logothetis, the local leader of the Greek forces in the revolt against the Turks. A stroll around the town will provide ample evidence of past glories, with mansions, large and impressive churches, and deserted tanneries. Tanning flourished there many years ago, bringing wealth to the people.
  Kokari   -   picturesque village   -   10 km from Vathi
ILocated in an area with an abundance of pine and olive trees and vineyards. The name of the village is derived from the large quantities of onions which its fields once produced. It is probably the outstanding scenery and the good beaches for water sports which attract a large proportion of the visitors to Samos to Kokari.
  Marathokambos   -   charming small village
Stands on the slopes of Mount Kerkis, reminds one of a balcony overlooking the south coast of the island. Its small galleries and dusty roofs, as well as its narrow streets and lanes, bring to mind the Cyclades. The vast, sandy beach, with its clear and shallow waters, is a great tourist attraction, especially during the summer. The inhabitants are mainly farmers and sailors. The village produces olive oil and excellent soap.
  Mavtratzei   -   attractive mountain village
Stands on a steep slope among pine and olive trees. The village has a long tradition of pottery-making, and water-jugs, mugs and bowls are among the items offered for sale by local craftsmen. Some of the goods they sell are of peculiar nature, such as the so-called "maskara-bardak", which is a water container with a series of holes on top. When water is put inside and one wishes to drink, some of the holes must be stopped with the fingers, otherwise water will pour out on all sides. This will also happen if the wrong holes are closed. Another interesting design, the"dikia koupa", has holes in the bottom. Unfortunately, the secrets of making these vessels are now known to only a few, and it is regarded as a dying trade. Among the sights of the village is Tripovrachos, a huge rock with holes that stands to the north-west of the village. It is quite a sight in winter, when ice forms pillars and stalactites.
  Mitilini
The verdant village of Mitilinii is one of the largest on the island and stands on a valley with beautiful houses, churches and chapels, 12 km southwest of Samos. People from Mytilene settled here in 1700, after the earthquake in their homeland, giving the settlement its present name. The area is of great paleontological interest. Excavations revealed the remains of animals that lived 8-10 million years ago, many of which are seen today in other museums. Mitilinii today is a pleasant village with shady dens and numerous streams. The area still produces tobacco, and excellent wine known as "anthosmia".
  Pithagorio
Built on the site of part of the island's capital during the time of Polycrates, is the main tourist resort on the island. The town used to be known as Tigani, because of its shape, but later was named after the mathematician Pythagoras. Old and modern houses linked to the past, with the narrow streets and plenty of flowers create a romantic picture for visitors. The harbour, with its tavernas, coffee-shops, tourist shops and tables set out under the trees on one side, and its fishermen, caiques and yachts of all sizes on the other, could be described as the quintessential scene of a Greek island.
  Samos 
The capital of the island is situated at the harbor and stretches out to a picturesque cove and an ever green bay from which it got its name, due to the existence of an old village known as Vathi. The city is amphitheatrically built with neoclassic buildings, old mansions, graphic back streets and traditional houses that state the wealth, nobility and superiority of the island. In the city, the square of Pythagoras, stands out with its marble lion. Also you can see the old mansion of the parliament, which up to this day houses the town hall with the municipal art gallery. Leaving the city behind we would recommend that you take a glimpse the regiment of the sculptor Genelo, copy of which exists in its original position at Iraio, the wooden sculptures in the archaic temple of the Goddess Ira, the cooper sculpture of the head of a bull from the 7th century , the clay figures from Cyprus and the heads of the vultures, are unique samples of Samos copper art.

History of Samos

The world famous mathematician Pythagoras and the astrophysicist Aristarchos lived here.

  History of Samos   -   see Wikipedia
Early and Classical Antiquity, The Eupalinian aqueduct, Persian Wars and Persian rule, Peloponnesian War, Famous Samians of Antiquity, Hellenistic Era, Roman Era, Byzantine & Genoese Era, Ottoman Rule, Samos Liberation and recent History, Recent Events in Samos.

Music, Culture

The local customs have been influenced by many Greek areas, as the emigrants came to Samos from many different Greek towns. As in all the Greek islands, the agricultural, naval and religious anniversaries of Samos are celebrated traditionally.

Don't forget to attend the local festivities, at the open air festival of Saint Nikolas and Saint Spiridona on the 6th and 12th of December respectively. At these festivals a unique local recipe "giorti" is offered to the visitors, which is made from meat and wheat.

On the 6th of August the victory against the Turks is celebrated, at the wine celebration that take place at Pythagorio. Celebrations take place on the 8th of September at the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and on the 13th of September at the Monastery of Timios Stavros. Also remarkable is the revival of the local customs during the Apokries (Greek Carnival time).

 
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