GETTING AROUND IN SAMOS
Bus links are very good; you can go to most villages, and to the
most popular beaches, with local bus. Excursion boats to the uninhabited
island Samiopoula, and boats to the sandy beach Psili Amos 1,
leave from the port promenade in Pythagorion each morning.
Samos is also one of the best islands to drive around. The roads
are in good shape, and some of the parts have incredibly beautiful and
dramatic surroundings. You can rent cars, mopeds and bicycles in the bigger
towns. If you live in, or near Pythagorion, I can recommend renting a
car, moped or bike at Nicos
Rentals.
VILLAGES IN SAMOS
The island has many pleasant villages, and particularly the mountain
villages is an important part of Samos' grandeur. One of these, Manolates,
is by many considered one of the most picturesque in the entire Greek
island world. Other lovely villages are Kokkari, Drakei,
Kastania, Ireon,
Chora
and Mytilini, Pirgos, Abelos, Leka, Koumadarai, Marathokabos,
Karlovassi, Kalami, Agia Paraskevi, Stavrinides and Ormos
Marathokampos.
Balos
is my favorite beach in Samos.
Samos Town is the capital and administrative centre of the island,
and have around than 6,000 residents. It is called Samos, or Vathy, and
is a pleasant place with amazingly beautiful houses. I the winding alleys
you will find small stores, ouzeries and kafénions. The archaeological
museum is well worth seeing. Tourism has not been able to strike its
claws into Samos town, at least not to the same extent as in for example
Kokkari and Pythagorion.
Samos Town, or Vathy as is the real name.
Pythagorion (see picture at the top
of the page) is situated at a horseshoe-shaped bay.
And it offers one of the best harbour promenades you can find. You are
surrounded by taverns and bars, and along the docks the big luxury
boats lie beside sailboats, trip-boats and fishing boats. A pleasant harbour
indeed.
Even though Pythagorion is dominated by tourism, you can still
find true Greek everyday life. In the alleys, where many Greeks have their
homes, you find old men selling fish and vegetables and in the Greek stores
the older women are sitting waiting for the customers to arrive. Along
the main street lie several shops, travel agencies, souvenir stores, banks,
and moped- and car rentals.
You also find two beachs in Pythagorion: Tarsanas and Remataki.
And a statue of the mathematician Pythagoras.
Kokkari is Samos second largest tourist resort after Pythagorion.
The village is located on the coast west of Samos town. Along the very
nice port promenade are tavernas and bars.
Also along the beach in Kokkari
- consisting of pebbles - are several taverns, bars and cafes. The small
peninsula in Kokkari is very beautiful and belongs to the most photographed
objects on Samos.
Votsalakia is typical holiday resort and has a 2 kilometres long
sand and rubble-stone beach. The road to Drakei runs through the village.
On the one side you have the beach and on the other lies small hotels,
tavernas, mini markets and everything else that belongs to a package resort.
Manolates is the village above all of Samos' villages and one
of the islands most popular outings. It is situated 380 meters above sea
level in a verdant long valley on the north side of Samos. The main road
that runs through the village is like a dream. Perhaps a bit tourist-like
in some places, but it does not get to you. Most of the stores sell art
and pottery and many nice taverns lies in the village.
Just must eat at Lukas Taverna when you are here. They serve excellent
food and offers a fantastic view over the sea and the Nightingale valley.
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