Car Rental Samos - Exploring Samos

Exploring the entire island of Samos by car is convenient and worthwhile. The main town on the island is known both as Samos and Vathi, and when you drive around the island you will find that several places are known by more than one name.

If you head south, after 14kms you will find Pithagorio (also known as Tigani), which is a small, picturesque port on the site of an ancient capital. All around here are important ruins, including the Polycrates Wall, built in the 6th century, and the Eupalinos Tunnel, an engineering marvel from the same era. Just beside the port, the castle of Lycourgos Logothetis can be seen sitting on a hillock.

Probably the most famous archaeological site on the island is Heraion, with its sanctuary to Hera of Samos, which is very near to Pithagorio. Tradition maintains that the goddess was born and raised within its precincts, where there are Hellenistic and Roman buildings, and even part of an early Christian basilica.

The island’s second-largest port and town is Karlovassi, situated on the northern coast. Once again, the town’s streets make for some interesting exploring, as the neoclassical houses act as reminders of earlier prosperous times. Just two kilometres away, the lovely sandy beach of Potami is bordered by lush greenery.

The road between Samos (Vathi) and Karlovassi is a delight to travel, passing dense vegetation and quaint villages. Just six kilometres south of Karlovassi is the village of Marathokambos, which looks over the island’s southern beaches and has old churches and caves to explore.

Farther south still is the tiny harbour of Ormos with more good beaches nearby. Returning to Samos, take the inland road passing through Mitilini, and visit the Paleontological Museum, which has fossilized remains of early horned beasts and mammoths.