Xionodromika

Samos: The island of Pythagoras

Samos


Σάμος, Νησιά Βορείου Αιγαίου

Samos is in the East part of the Aegean Sea, close to the Asia Minor coastline. Samos (Vathi) is the capital of the island and the population is approximately 34.000. The town’s construction began around the 18 th century, along the large gulf of Vathi , where a natural harbour had been formed.

It consists of 4 municipalities: Vathi, Karlovasi, Pythagoreio and Marathokampos. Samos is a mountainous island and it has two mountains, Kerkis and Ambelos.

Vathi is one of the oldest and traditional villages of Samos. It was named “Vathi” because it was built in at the far end of the harbour. It was from Vathi that the 1821 revolution started and the revolt’s banner was raised by Captain Konstantinos Lahanas at the spot named Pigadaki. It was also the birthplace of important Samian personalities, such as Captain Konstantinos Lahanas and Christodoulos Matakides, during the 1821 revolution, and Themistocles Sofoules, prime mover of the union of Samos with Greece and Prime Minister. You can visit the church of Ai-Giannakis with the rare architectural style.

Samos Attractions & Surrounding Area

Kokkari is one of the most attractive tourist resorts of Samos. It is a seaside village with rank vegetation. It took its name of the first inhabitant. It’s worth to visit the church of Kimisi tis Theotokou and Agios Nikolaos, one of the biggest churches in Samos . Near Kokkari you can found the beautiful beaches of Tsamadou and Lemonakia.

The seaside town of Pythagorio covers areas of exquisite natural beauty and historic significance. It is a picturesque town with narrow streets, ideal for your stay in the island during your holidays. The port of Pythagorio , constructed during the reign of Polikrates and is the oldest port of the Mediterranean. The local economy is supported in the cultivation of vines and in the tourism.

It’s worth to visit the monument of Iraion and Pythagorio, the ruins of the ancient Samos, the square with the Town Hall, the castle of Lykourgos, the church of Metamorfosis, the Efpaleinio Tunnel, the ancient theatre, the church of Panagia Spiliani, “Thermes” the Roman baths and the lake of Glyfada.

Today Pythagorio constitutes a major tourism resort with thousands of visitors through out the year. There are also daily excursions to the magical beaches of Samiopoula, Tsopela, Kako Rema, Kiriakou, Aspros Kavos. You can also visit the coasts of Mikra Asia.

Marathokampos was initially built at a lower location, close to a plain full of fennels, and it seems that that’s where it got its name from (marathos in greek). Later, this first settlement was moved further up the mountain. Another interpretation of its name mentions that it derives from some of its first inhabitants that came from the village Marathonisi in the Peloponnese , today’s Gythio. It is a mountainous village and it contains most of Kerkis Mountain . The local economy is supported in the agricultural cultivation, more specifically olives, in the fishing and in the growing tourist industry of area.

Agios Ioannis Eleimonas monastery which was built in 1867 from the monk Isidoros Kyriakopoulos and the monastery of Evagelistria of Kerki which was found in 10 century are remarkable. It is built in the north hill sides of mountain Kerkis, on an altitude of 700 meters and it is surrounded by pine trees. You can also visit the Pythagoras cave that the famous philosopher and mathematician once hid there in order to escape from his enemies that were persecuting him. Northwest is the highest peak of Kerkis mountain that is called “Vigla”. There you can enjoy the magical view to the Aegean Sea.

Samos gave birth to remarkable men who excelled in sciences and arts such as the mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras, the astronomer Aristarchus, the philosopher Melissos, the excellent architectures Mandroklis, Roikos and Theodoros.

It’s worth to visit the Folklore museum, the Physic History museum, the archaeological museum, the church of Zoodochos Pigi , Profit Ilia, the church of Megali Panagia, Agia Triada, Timios Stavros such as the cascade and the temple of Ira.

You should taste the famous prize-winning wine of Samos that is internationally recognized as one of the best wines worldwide.

You can visit many sandy and clean beaches like: Votsalakia, Ballo, Limnionas, Plaka, Agios Ioannis Eleimonas, Pefkos and the beach of Psili or Chrisi Ammos.

How to get there

By plane: There are regularly flights from Eleftherios Venizelos airport to Samos.
By Ferry: There are regularly itineraries from Piraeus port to Karlovasi and Vathi. Connection with other islands
Samos is connected with: Ikaria, Paros, Fournoi, Chios, Syros, Mytilini, Limnos, Dodecanese Islands, Kavala, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia.

Samos Photos

Samos Useful Telephone Numbers (Calling code for Greece 0030)

Port authority of Piraeus
210 4511 310-7
Karlovasi Police Station
22730 32444
Samos Municipality
22730 28201
Karlovasi Port Station
22730 30888
Samos Hospital
22730 27426
Marathokampos Municipality
22730 31111
Samos Police Station
22730 27980
Marathokampos First Aid Station
22730 31207
Samos Tourist Police
22730 27404
Marathokampos Police Station
22730 31222
Samos Greek National Tourism Organization
22730 28530
Pythagorio Municipality
22730 61238
Samos Port Authority
22730 27318
Pythagorio First Aid Station
22730 61111
Samos Olympic Airways
22730 27237
Pythagorio Police Station
22730 61343
Karlovasi Municipality
22730 32881
Pythagorio Tourist Office
22730 61389
Karlovasi Health Center
22730 32222
Pythagorio Port Station
22730 61225