Destination Guide

With an area of 475 sq. kms and a population of 35,000, Samos is the largest of the north-eastern Aegean islands.  It is situated 175 miles from Athens, and just a few kilometres off the coast of Turkey.  Its coastline of 160 kms is bordered by long, white sand beaches and small fishing harbours, while inland, picturesque inland villages set amidst the island’s two mountain ranges, are linked by winding roads, offering breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea through the pine forests.  Villages such as Manolates and Vourliotes merit a visit for their ambience, local traditions and scenery, while in Mytilinioi, a wonderful open air cinema operates during the summer months. A trip would also not be complete without sampling the sweet Muscat wine for which Samos has long been famous.

The island has a long and interesting history which can be witnessed through its numerous archaeological sites, museums and monuments.  In antiquity, Samos was the home of the mathematician Pythagoras, the philosopher Epicure, the fabulist Aesop and the astronomer Aritarchus.  Samian Hera, queen of Mount Olympus and wife of Zeus, was born here, and grand temples were erected to worship her. The most impressive, Heraion, is a Unesco World Heritage Site. In Pythagorian, near the ancient theatre (used today for summer cultural festivals) and the Polycrates Wall (second half of 6th Century BC) is the famous Eupalinos tunnel-aqueduct, a technical marvel, dating from the 6th Century, which used to provide the town with fresh water from the other side of the mountain.

The capital, Samos, is built on the slopes around the horseshoe shaped natural harbour of Vathy, in the north-east of the island.  Our beautiful property, Marnei Mare, is situated on the north-west coast of the island, near the lively port of Karlovassi, the old industrial and trade capital of the island, with many of the old tanneries which flourished in the 19th and early 20th century still intact.  The port has a number of traditional Greek tavernas, fish restaurants and cafes as well as shops, banks and a lively night life. 

The island of Patmos, famous for its Cave of the Apolcalpse and the monastery is just a short boat ride away, as is the ancient city of Ephesus and the Kusadasi open market in Turkey, ideal for day trips.

The island has a small airport with daily domestic flights and numerous international connections throughout the summer season.